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The Ultimate Savory Snack: Mediterranean Cheese Balls – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

The Ultimate Savory Snack: Mediterranean Cheese Balls

Effortlessly elegant and bursting with flavor, these Mediterranean Cheese Balls are the perfect keto-friendly appetizer. Rich, creamy cheese is infused with sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and fresh herbs, then rolled in sharp Parmesan for a savory delight.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 serving
Calories: 157
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup (226 g / 8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (226 g / 8 oz) ghee, softened
  • 5 Tbsp (25 g / 0.88 oz) parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup (30 g / 1.06 oz) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (35 g / 1.23 oz) Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 3 Tbsp (45 ml) mixed fresh herbs (basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, parsnip, mint), chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • For a quicker softening time, cut the cream cheese into smaller cubes before letting it sit at room temperature.
  • Feel free to swap the Parmesan coating for chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or even toasted sesame seeds for a different texture and flavor.

Method
 

  1. Preparation1.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and ghee.
  3. Let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to soften completely. 2.
  4. Using a fork or a hand mixer, beat the softened ghee and cream cheese together until smooth and well combined.
  5. Fold in the chopped Kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes. 3.
  6. Stir in the fresh herb mix and crushed garlic.
  7. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
  8. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the mixture to firm up. 4.
  9. Once chilled, remove the cheese mixture from the fridge and form it into 4 equal-sized balls.
  10. Spread the grated Parmesan cheese on a small plate and gently roll each ball until it's evenly coated. 5.
  11. Place the finished cheese balls on a serving plate and return them to the fridge for another 30 minutes to set completely.
  12. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 4.6gFat: 14g

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