Cheese Christmas Trees on Savory Crackers - photo 1
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Cheese Christmas Trees on Savory Crackers

Wegetariańskie Pikantne Appetizers Christmas Eve Dinner Christmas Appetizers 40 min Easy 9 wyświetleń ~16.31 PLN - (0)
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Description

A charming and incredibly impressive appetizer that will surely win the hearts of guests during holiday gatherings. Cheese Christmas Trees are small cones made from a creamy, flavorful mixture based on cream cheese and feta, with a hint of garlic. Each tree is carefully coated in fresh, fragrant dill, which perfectly mimics needles. The whole creation is set on a crunchy, salty cracker, with a piece of pretzel serving as the trunk. An optional decoration of pomegranate seeds as ornaments and a small star made of red pepper on top completes the masterpiece, creating miniature, edible works of art. This dish not only tastes wonderful, combining creamy delicacy with crunch and salty accents, but also serves as a beautiful decoration for the holiday table. Perfect as a snack for Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, or as a creative culinary project to do with children.

Ingredients (9)

Servings:
6
  • Serek śmietankowy typu philadelphia 200 g
  • Feta cheese 100 g
  • Fresh dill 1.5 pęczki
  • Salted crackers 15 szt.
  • Garlic 1 ząbek
  • Salted sticks 20 g
  • 🌿 Przyprawy
  • Pieprz czarny świeżo mielony 1 szczypta
  • ✨ Opcjonalne
  • Pomegranate seeds 20 g
  • Red bell pepper 0.2 szt.
💰 Szacowany koszt dania: ~16.31 PLN (2.72 PLN/porcję)

💡 Kliknij na składnik aby oznaczyć jako użyty

Preparation steps

Preparation of the Cheese Mixture

1

Start by preparing the cheese base. Take the cream cheese out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before starting, so it reaches room temperature. Transfer it to a medium-sized bowl. Then add the Feta cheese, previously crumbled with a fork into small pieces. The finer you crumble it, the smoother the mixture will be.

Ingredients: Serek śmietankowy typu philadelphia, Feta cheese
Use a bowl that is comfortable for you to mix the ingredients, such as a glass or ceramic one. The softened cream cheese will combine much more easily with the feta, thus avoiding lumps. If you forgot to take the cheese out earlier, you can mash it with a fork in the bowl for a while to warm it up and soften it.
2

Peel a clove of garlic and press it through a garlic press directly into the bowl with the cheeses. If you don't have a press, you can finely chop it with a sharp knife and then mash it on a cutting board with the flat side of the knife and a little salt, creating a paste. Add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. Using a fork or a sturdy silicone spatula, vigorously mix all the ingredients until you achieve a uniform, thick mass. The mixture should be firm enough to easily shape it.

Ingredients: Garlic, Pieprz czarny świeżo mielony
A garlic press is the perfect tool because it evenly distributes its aroma throughout the mixture. Be careful not to add too much garlic, as its flavor becomes more intense over time. Mix the mixture by mashing it against the sides of the bowl to combine the ingredients well.

Preparation of Dill and Decoration

3

Thoroughly wash a bunch of dill under running water, then dry it very carefully using paper towels or a salad spinner. It is crucial for the dill to be dry. Cut off the thicker stems, leaving only the delicate sprigs. Finely chop the dill. Spread it in an even layer on a flat plate or cutting board. If you are using decorations, prepare them now: remove the seeds from the pomegranate, and cut small stars from a piece of red pepper (you can use a mini cookie cutter or do it with the tip of a small knife).

Ingredients: Fresh dill, Pomegranate seeds, Red bell pepper
Wet dill won't stick well to the cheese mixture and may cause the trees to 'weep'. Use a sharp knife to chop the dill so it doesn't get crushed. Preparing all the decorative elements in advance will greatly streamline the process of assembling the trees.

Shaping the Christmas Trees

4

Scoop a heaping teaspoon of the cheese mixture (about 20-25 grams). In your hands, slightly moistened with cold water, first form a smooth ball. Then, gently rolling it between your palms, shape it into a cone about 4-5 cm tall, with a wider base and a pointed tip. Try to make the surface of the cone as smooth as possible. Repeat the process with the entire cheese mixture, placing the finished cones on a clean plate or board.

A light dampening of your hands with water will prevent the cheese mixture from sticking, which is a common issue. Don't soak your hands too much; it’s enough for them to be moist. Try to shape cones of similar size so that the appetizer looks cohesive and aesthetically pleasing.
5

Take each formed cheese cone individually and gently roll it in the previously prepared chopped dill. Rotate the cone, lightly pressing it to ensure the dill evenly covers its entire surface. The green dill will create the illusion of dense, pine-like needles. Set the finished green trees back on the plate.

Ingredients: Fresh dill
Do not press the cone too hard so it doesn't lose its shape. It's best to gently roll it on the plate with dill. Make sure there are no 'bald' spots without dill.

Assembly and Decoration

6

Now it's time for the final assembly. Arrange salty crackers on a large plate or serving board. In the center of each cracker, carefully place one cheese tree coated in dill. Then take a pretzel stick, break it in half. Gently insert the sharper, broken end into the base of each cheese tree, creating a 'trunk'.

Ingredients: Salted crackers, Salted sticks
Place the trees on the crackers just before serving, so the crackers stay as crispy as possible. When inserting the stick, hold the tree from the top with your other hand to prevent it from tipping over.
7

The last optional step is decoration. Take the previously prepared pomegranate seeds and gently press them into various spots on the surface of the trees - they will look like small red ornaments. At the very top of each tree, place a miniature star cut out of red pepper. Place the finished trees in the refrigerator for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the cheese mixture to set, which will make serving easier.

Ingredients: Pomegranate seeds, Red bell pepper
For placing small decorations, such as pomegranate seeds or stars, you can use kitchen tweezers for greater precision. Chilling the appetizer is not absolutely necessary, but it makes it more stable and refreshing in taste.

Fun Fact

💡

The tradition of creating edible holiday decorations dates back to medieval Europe, where gingerbread shaped like figures and symbols was hung on Christmas trees. Tree-shaped appetizers are a modern interpretation of this tradition, combining flavor with a decorative function for the table.

Best for

Wieczerza Wigilijna Przyjęcie Sylwestrowe Bufet z przekąskami Spotkanie ze znajomymi w okresie świątecznym

Tips

🍽️ Serving

Serve the trees on a large, flat tray, serving board, or platter. You can create a 'forest clearing' by sprinkling the plate with leftover chopped dill. They look beautiful alongside other small snacks, such as olives, cherry tomatoes, or nuts.

🥡 Storage

It is best to prepare the appetizer on the day of serving. Unassembled cheese cones can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Store the crackers separately in a dry place. Assemble everything just before serving to ensure the crackers remain crispy.

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