This is a flavorful cheese ball made with paneer, saffron, dried cranberries, pecans, and pistachios.This is simple to make and is amazing with oats and graham crackers, or even sugar cookies. The white colored cheese with red cranberries and green pistachio make this very festive! This is an amazing addition to any cheese board.
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Paneer is a non melty soft cheese. The fresh paneer which is not pressed will be crumbly. It resembles ricotta cheese. This creamy fresh paneer can be rolled into a cheese ball and this makes a great and different kind of cheese ball appetizer. Chaat Spiced Paneer Log is savory variant of cheese balls/logs and the flavors are lip-smacking!
The ball can be rolled into one single one or can be rolled into bite sized balls if preferring to serve as such. Saffron adds a great aroma to this cheese ball with specks of golden yellow here and there. The dreid cranberries and nuts add to the sweet and crunch. This can be made ahead and served when needed. Take it out of refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. This is great for holiday entertaining. Try this one for a change from usual cheese ball appetizers, and you'll be amazed with the reviews from the guests.
Millican Pecans are the best pecans I have tasted and would recomment it to anyone. I have used Millican Pecans for this cheese ball and served Nairn's Chocolate Oat Graham Crackers. The combination of this paneer cheese ball and the Nairn's Chocolate Oat Graham Crackers was heavenly! Loved every bit of it! I have used Millican Pecans and Nairn's Chocolate Oat Graham Crackers for the Fall Charcuterie Board too and it was a huge hit. I got the same response when I served the crackers with this cranberry pecan paneer cheese ball. Click here to buy Milican Pecans with a discount.
Welcome to Cranberry Week!
This week we are celebrating all things cranberry! We have delicious recipes from across the country to celebrate all things cranberry!
#CranberryWeek is an annual blogging event that is hosted by Ashley from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Cranberry Sausage Breakfast Patties from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Triple Chocolate Cranberry Brownies from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Cranberry Pecan Paneer Cheese Ballfrom Magical Ingredients
- Nantucket Cranberry Pie from The Fresh Cooky
- Cranberry Relish from Devour Dinner
- Grilled Brussels Sprouts with Pistachios, Cranberries, & Parmesan from The Spiffy Cookie
- Cranberry Cordial from Palatable Pastime
- Cranberry Orange Scones from Jen Around the World
- Cranberry and Brie Wontons from The Freshman Cook
- Cranberry Chicken Salad from Art of Natural Living
- Dark Chocolate Cranberry Bark from Daily Dish Recipes
- Cranberry Nut Snack Mix from Family Around the Table
- Cranberry Salsa from Kate's Recipe Box
Ingredients
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time 15 min
Refrigeration: 1 hour
Milk -2 cups
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Cream cheese - 2-oz, room temperature
Pecans - 3 tbsp
Dried sweetened cranberries - 1/4 cup
Pistachio - 2 tbsp
Powdered sugar - 3 tbsp
Saffron - a generous pinch
Method
Boil milk, and when it is about to overflow add the lemon juice and curdle the milk. Drain and press it for about an hour to remove excess water.
Pulse the cranberries and nuts to smaller pieces.
Add the cream cheese, paneer, ground nuts (reserve a little for rolling if preferred), saffron, and powdered sugar to a bowl. Combine well.
Wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate until use.
If preferred roll the ball with a little of the reserved cranberry nut mixture. Serve with graham crackers or oat crackers.
Hezzi-D says
You can't go wrong with a combination of cranberries, pecans, and cheese!
Teri says
I love your cheese ball! The flavors sound so perfect together, and it is so pretty!
Teri says
I love your cheese ball! The flavors sound so perfect together, and it is so pretty!
Jennifer Sikora says
Cheese balls are the perfect appetizer
Jennifer Sikora says
Cheese balls are the perfect appetizer
Rebecca says
This is such a great cheese ball recipe for thanksgiving and really for any occasion! I love the nuts and the cranberries together, such a great texture!
Rebecca says
This is such a great cheese ball recipe for thanksgiving and really for any occasion! I love the nuts and the cranberries together, such a great texture!
Kathleen The Fresh Cooky says
I have never used Paneer, but now I cannot wait, what a delicious, festive cheeseball!
Kathleen The Fresh Cooky says
I have never used Paneer, but now I cannot wait, what a delicious, festive cheeseball!
Inger says
Perfect holiday cheese ball! I am so glad these are back in fashion!