Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Log appetizer is a delightful blend of creamy goat cheese, rolled in sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and the vibrant color of pistachios, complemented by the subtle sweetness of turbinado sugar and a hint of warmth from ground ginger.
Cranberry Nut Mixture: Place pecans, pistachios, cranberries, sugar, and ginger in the bowl of a food processor. Cover with lid and pulse until finely chopped together.
Shape: Place the nut mixture in the center of a piece of plastic wrap on work surface. Place the goat cheese log on the edge of the cranberry mixture, lift the plastic wrap and roll to completely cover the entire surface.
Serve: At room temperature on a serving plate or as part of a cheese board with an assortment of your favorite crackers, sliced bread, or sliced fruits.
Notes
Chop into Small Pieces: For a more uniform coating, finely chop the cranberries, pecans and pistachios. It helps the mixture adhere better to the log.
Roll Gently: When rolling the log in the chopped cranberry-nut mixture, apply gentle pressure. You want it to stick but not crush the log. Pat the excess mixture over the cheese log to fill in any blank spots if needed.
Serve at the Right Temperature: Remove the log from the refrigerator about 15-30 minutes before serving. It’s best served slightly chilled, but not too cold or it will be difficult to spread.
Presentation: For an elegant touch, you can garnish the log with fresh cranberries and sprigs of fresh rosemary leaves.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the cheese log recipe a day or two in advance. Just keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve, or serve immediately.
Substitutions & Variations: Please see original post for complete list.