The Royal Orb Cheese Ball (Printable Version)

Festive cheese ball covered with pomegranate seeds and chopped pistachios for elegant entertaining.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese Mixture

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
03 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
04 - 2 tbsp sour cream
05 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
08 - ¼ tsp salt, optional

→ Coating

09 - ½ cup pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped
10 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds (arils)
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, optional

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend cream cheese, cheddar, feta, sour cream, chives, garlic, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
02 - Using clean hands or a spatula, form the mixture into a firm ball. Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes if too soft before shaping.
03 - Wrap the formed ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm and enhance flavor melding.
04 - Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it carefully onto a serving platter.
05 - Evenly press chopped pistachios and pomegranate seeds over the surface, alternating to create a decorative jeweled effect. Optionally, sprinkle with parsley.
06 - Present immediately with crackers, crudités, or flatbread for guests.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it, but twenty minutes of hands-on work gets you there.
  • The combination of sharp cheddar, creamy feta, and tangy sour cream means every bite has depth and personality.
  • Pomegranate seeds and pistachios aren't just decoration—they add little bursts of tartness and crunch that people actually notice.
02 -
  • If your mixture is grainy or separated, you likely didn't let the cream cheese soften enough—this is fixable with a few pulses in a food processor or blender.
  • Pomegranate seeds can release liquid over time, so don't decorate it more than thirty minutes before serving unless you want a pink-stained cheese ball.
03 -
  • If you can't find pomegranate seeds already removed, buy whole pomegranates in the morning when they're freshest and remove the seeds while watching television—it's meditative and you'll thank yourself later.
  • Let the cheese ball sit at room temperature for five minutes before serving so it's soft enough to spread beautifully but still holds its shape.
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