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Christmas Tree Cheese Spread with Ricotta and Olives
Christmas Tree Cheese Spread is the perfect appetizer to bring a festive touch to your holiday table.Not only is it easy to prepare, but it’s also delicious, requires no baking, and looks absolutely stunning!
Ingredients
- 200 g ricotta 7 oz
- 100 g Parmigiano Reggiano 3.5 oz, grated
- 130 g olives 4.6 oz pitted, green and black
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh, finely chopped
- black pepper ground, to taste
- 3 sprigs rosemary for decoration
- slices bread for spreading the cheese
Instructions
- Place the ricotta cheese in a colander so that it loses excess water. The ricotta should be as dry as possible.
- Then place it in a bowl with the grated Parmigiano cheese and mix well to blend the cheeses. Use a spoon to stir it thoroughly until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- To make the cheeses easier to work with, add two tablespoons of olive oil and mix well. This will make the mixture softer and more malleable, which is important for shaping later.
- Once the cheese is smooth, season it with a generous pinch of ground black pepper and some finely chopped fresh parsley. Mix everything together carefully to make sure the flavors are evenly distributed.
- Next, take a sheet of plastic wrap and spoon the cheese mixture onto the center. Gently close the wrap around the cheese and start shaping it with your hands. Form the cheese into a cone shape that is about 6-7 inches tall (15-18 cm). Don’t worry if it’s not perfect; you can adjust it later.
- Place the wrapped cone in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will help the cheese firm up and hold its shape, making it easier to decorate. While waiting, you can prepare your olives and other decorations.
- After the cheese has chilled, remove it from the plastic wrap and place it on a serving plate. Use a spatula or the back of a knife to smooth out the surface, shaping it into a neat cone. Take your time with this step so the "tree" looks as polished as possible.
- Now it’s time to decorate! Begin placing the pitted olives onto the cheese cone, starting at the base and working your way to the top. Alternate the colors of the olives to create a festive look. If some of the olives are too large, you can cut them in half to make them fit better.
- Once the olives are in place, add small sprigs of rosemary between them. The rosemary not only adds a decorative touch, resembling the needles of a Christmas tree, but also gives a lovely aroma.
- Finally, surround your Christmas Tree Cheese Spread with slices of homemade bread to complete the presentation. It’s ready to serve! Guests can scoop some of the cheese spread and olives onto their bread, enjoying a flavorful and festive appetizer that’s perfect for the holidays.
Nutrition
Serving: 100gCalories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 10gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 633mgPotassium: 64mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 421IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 279mgIron: 0.5mg
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