Appetizer Christmas Tree
An easy, make ahead entertaining idea that will shine on your holiday table!!
Ingredients
- 1 pkg cream cheese (250 g) softened
- 1 log goat cheese (300 g)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted red peppers diced
- 1/4 cup dill pickles finely diced
- 1/4 cup chives chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 cup prepared pesto, divided
- Rosemary leaves/sprigs to decorate
- 1 thick slice cheddar (or you can use a yellow pepper) (cut into a star shape)
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine both cheeses, sun dried tomatoes, peppers, pickles, chives, parsley and spices; mix until the ingredients are well combined.
- Place a few pieces of plastic wrap around the edges of a serving platter. Scoop the cream cheese mixture out onto the middle of the platter and completely cover with another piece of wrap.
- Use your hands, mold the cream cheese into a tree shape. Then, carefully pull out the plastic wrap around the bottom of the tree. Remove the plastic wrap that you used to mold the tree and clean up the surface by smoothing it out with a palette knife or butter knife.
- Carefully spread the pesto onto the outside of the tree and then, decorate with the rosemary leaves/sprigs, lightly pressing each into the cream cheese to ensure they stay on.
- Top with the cheese star and place the remaining rosemary (or you can use thyme if you have it), around the bottom of the tree
- Serve with crackers of your choice, or sliced baguette