15 minute Holiday Appetizers- Prosciutto Arugula Bites

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appetizers, Boursin, cooking, cranberries, delicious, easy cooking, eat, elegant appetizers , entertaining, food, fresh, holiday, kid friendly, make ahead meals, pecans, prosciutto, quick cooking, simple entertaining

The holidays are busy, prior to this pandemic I would be entertaining hand over fist. Sure entertaining has slowed down, but you should always have elegant, quick and easy appetizers in your kitchen repertoire. Here is one that looks elegant but start to finish takes 15 minutes.

• 12 slices of prosciutto but you can use Serrano ham too
• 1 ball of cranberry and pepper Boursin
• 24 pecan halves (toasted in a fry pan)
• 1 cup of arugula
• 1/2 cup of balsamic (I used a white cranberry balsamic) put it in a pan and reduce it until it turns into a thick syrup- takes about 5 to 8 minutes on low. – you should have 2 tablespoons once it is reduced
• 2 tablespoons of dried cranberries

Now it’s time to put it together. Lay the slices of prosciutto out on a cutting board. Section the Boursin into 12 each portions ~ 3/4 tbls. Put the cheese on one end, top with 2 pecans and a generous pinch of arugula. Roll them up and slice in half. Then drizzle the top with the reduced balsamic glaze and a few dried cranberries.

I’m not going to lie, I could eat all 24 😉

Enjoy!

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

Tags

appetizers, cheese, cheese ball, chives, comfort food, cooking, cranberries, delicious, easy cooking, eat, entertaining, fall, fall dishes, food, holiday, pecans, retro, simple entertaining, tasty, thanksgiving, winter

I don’t know about you but I love a good cheese ball as part of a charcuterie board. I know it sounds bit retro but I don’t care.

They are creamy, and tasty and SO easy to make. You can whip this up in 10 minutes. I prefer letting it set overnight so the flavours come together but I have also been known to eat this straight out of the bowl… this is a judgement free zone 😉

Here is what you need:

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup white sharp cheddar cheese shredded / of old white cheddar
• 1 cup dried cranberries chopped and divided
• 1 cup pecans chopped and toasted 
• 1/4 cup chives or green onions chopped (I prefer chives)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp of seasoning salt 

1. To Toast Pecans: Pre-heat oven to 375F. Place chopped pecans on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes or until aromatic. Remove from oven and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ½ toasted pecans, ½ cup dried cranberries, chive or green onion, seasoning salt and garlic powder until well combined.
3. Place mixture in the center of a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper and cover completely with wrap while forming it into a ball shape. Place in fridge until ready to serve.
4. Just before serving, combine remaining ½ cup pecans, ½ dried cranberries, and 2 tablespoon chives on a flat surface or cutting board. Unwrap the ball and roll in cranberry-pecan mixture.
5. Serve with anything and devour!