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Holiday Goat Cheese Log

This started as a Christmas treat, but was so popular that it's now served at all special family gatherings. The idea came from a recipe in a Colonial Williamsburg cookbook, but I modified it to get rid of peppercorns and add fruit. Garnish with parsley sprigs and serve with crackers.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 people
Calories 1150.5 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Food Processor Essential for finely chopping nuts, herbs, and fruit.
  • 1 Serving Platter For presenting the finished goat cheese log.
  • 1 Spatula Useful for spreading the nut mixture evenly.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • ½ cup smoked almonds
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh chives
  • ¼ cup dried cherries
  • 1 8 ounce log plain goat cheese

Instructions
 

  • Pulse almonds in the bowl of a food processor until chopped. Add parsley and chives; continue to pulse until incorporated. Add cherries and process until everything is finely chopped and you have a nice mixture of red and green.
  • Pour nut mixture onto a flat work surface and spread into a thin layer.
  • Roll goat cheese log in the nut mixture until fully covered. Carefully pick it up and tap the ends of the log into the nut mixture to cover. Place on a serving dish.

Notes

1. Ensure the goat cheese is at room temperature. This makes it pliable and ensures the coating adheres easily and evenly. If too cold, it may crack; if too warm, it can become too soft to handle.2. For an intensified nutty aroma and flavor, consider lightly toasting the smoked almonds before processing. Allow them to cool completely before combining with other ingredients.3. While dried cherries offer a festive red, feel free to experiment with other finely diced dried fruits like cranberries or apricots for different flavor profiles. Likewise, pistachios or walnuts can substitute almonds.4. This log can be prepared several hours in advance and kept refrigerated. For optimal texture and flavor, allow it to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.5. For an elegant presentation, create a small bed of fresh parsley sprigs on the serving platter before placing the cheese log. Serve with an assortment of gourmet crackers or crostini.