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

Total Time 15

Course Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 people

Calories 1150.5 kcal

Equipment

1 Food Processor Essential for efficiently chopping nuts, herbs, and dried fruit to a fine consistency.
1 Flat Work Surface Such as a large cutting board or a clean countertop, for rolling the goat cheese log.
1 Serving dish For presenting the finished goat cheese log.

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. Goat Cheese Temperature: For optimal coating, ensure the goat cheese log is chilled but not overly firm. Taking it out of the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before rolling allows for better adherence of the coating.2. Flavor Enhancement: To deepen the nutty flavor, lightly toast the smoked almonds in a dry pan for a few minutes before processing. This intensifies their aroma and taste. Consider adding a pinch of orange zest to the nut mixture for a brighter, more festive note.3. Texture Control: While the recipe calls for 'finely chopped,' avoid over-processing the mixture into a paste. You want a distinct, crumbly texture for visual appeal and a pleasant mouthfeel.4. Presentation: Garnish the serving dish with extra fresh parsley sprigs and serve with a variety of crackers (plain, whole grain, or even fruit-and-nut) for contrast. A side of fig jam or a drizzle of honey can further elevate the experience.