If you are looking for an easy, make-ahead appetiser, my Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites are perfect. This is a simple, elegant and delicious canape which is suitable for any party or ideal for the festive season. They taste fantastic and they are so easy to make.
Place the goat cheese into a medium-size bowl. Using a fork, mash it and mix it well until it is smooth and creamy.
Chop the dried apricots finely.
Add the dried apricots to the goat cheese, mix to combine.
Using a teaspoon, take a small amount of mixture and roll it into small balls.– see Note 3
Add the balls to the crushed pistachios and lightly toss to coat them.
Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate the balls to firm the cheese.Remove from the refrigerator about a half-hour before serving. Serve with crackers if desired.
Notes
Use a soft goat cheese for this recipe. It should be at room temperature to ensure it is easy to mix and form into the bites.
The apricots must be soft; I have used Turkish apricots. This is the weight when chopped.
This is an approximate amount. The amount may vary slightly; you may need to add a few more chopped pistachios. To roll the balls easily, you will likely have some leftover. Rather than waste them, add them to the top of a salad. My pistachios were both unsalted and unroasted.
Make them to this stage if you wish to prepare them a day ahead otherwise, the pistachios will soften a little. Add the chopped pistachios shortly before serving.
Please note, the nutritional information is per cheese bite. It does not include if you serve them with a cracker or other item.