I am so excited about this recipe, mostly because it's so yummy and takes little time and not much effort to put together. And while I think it's perfect for Christmas with its festive green outer shell, how nice would this be for New Year's Eve?
The inside is a mixture of cream cheese and goat cheese, with a bunch of yummy Asian flavors added to the mix. The outer shell is made up of crushed wasabi peas and sesame seeds. The textures and tastes are so pleasing together. You'll want to make sure your chair is positioned close to this appetizer. It's really hard to stop eating it.
Cheese balls are often considered very retro in the culinary world, but I think they deserve a place in modern day cooking. Heck, there have even been whole plays written about cheese balls. It's time for them to get some respect, especially when they taste so good.
Here are two of my favorite ingredients in this recipe.
A couple of months ago I attended the PMA Conference (Produce Marketing Association) in Anaheim, California. It was during that conference I got to know the folks from Gourmet Garden. You've all seen the Gourmet Garden spices in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle. Well, they had just launched their Lightly Dried Herbs product line and I got to see and taste firsthand what it was all about.
I think I'm kind of in love with these herbs and my fridge is now bursting with these cute little click and stack bowls of deliciousness. Look at the ginger, it's so fresh and comes backs to life when mixed into food. If you're anything like me, you hate grating ginger and this has now taken away that chore. The chili pepper is no different...so fresh. They have more flavors too. I reach for them everyday when cooking as they are such a time saver and add that fresh herb taste to my meals.
And FYI, the people who work for Gourmet Garden are a really fun bunch of people. I had such a great time getting to know all of them. Feel good about supporting this company!
Making a cheese ball is just about the easiest appetizer you could put together. And we need easy recipes this time of year when the kitchen is busy and there are so many gatherings we need to bring a dish to share.
Key to this recipe is making sure your cheeses are room temp before attempting to make this. Otherwise you will not good an good incorporation of flavors.
Once mixed, form into a ball and refrigerate for one hour.
Wasabi peas are crushed and become part of the outside crust along with two colors of sesame seeds.
Roll the cheese ball in the outside coating and serve. So simple!!!
Serve with rice crackers.
Asian Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz goat cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1 Tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Ginger
- 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Chili Pepper
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 cup crushed wasabi peas
- 1 Tablespoon black sesame seeds
- 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Directions
- In a large bowl blend together cream cheese, goat cheese, green onions, chili garlic sauce, ginger, soy sauce, chili pepper and sesame oil. Form into the shape of a ball. Place on a piece of wax paper and refrigerate for one hour, uncovered.
- Meanwhile, combine wasabi peas and sesame seeds together in a large flat bowl. Roll cheese ball in the mixture and serve with rice crackers.
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Oh my. I must try this one!
What a fun appetizer! It will be perfect for the party I’m going to on Friday!
Wow! This sounds so interesting! Am wondering just how much kick those wasabi peas give the overall taste!
It was not too spicy.
Where can we purchase Gourmet Garden products here in McMinnville?
Safeway.
thank you!
if you don’t have a Safeway nearby, where else could you buy the spices in this?
Safeway was just for McMinnville. They are available at most grocery stores in the fresh produce aisle.
I love this! I’ve gotta try this.
My kids would absolutely love this. I can’t wait to try it!
Mmmm. Looks good. I mis-read that as “ancient cheese ball”, but either way, I want in.
I am afraid we don’t have this brand of spices available. Do you happen to have a recommendation on how to substitute?
Looks like you are in the United States, they are available everywhere and in countries around the globe.
Thank you!
Oh wow, I have been seeing these lightly dried herbs in the stores. You’ve convinced me…must get them!
any substitutes for the lightly dried herbs in case I cannot find them?
this looks delicious! love the asian twist on a cheeseball!
This cheese ball sounds crazy good and looks so pretty! Pinning!
Oh wow! What a great twist on a cheese ball! I’m a bit of a ginger nut… so I’m definitely going to have to check my local store for the lightly dried ginger!
I use these all the time when I don’t want to chop and mince all of my herbs. They are a great product and it’s great to see others are using them.
This is so creative and unique… and now I simply MUST get the ingredients so I can serve one to my guests!! I have a feeling I am going to be getting many requests for your recipe!
I would love to make this I work in the produce dept in a popular store and we don’t carry those herbs I will have to ask about them.
I think you got my heart with Asian and cheese <3 Love all the flavors you got going on. And a play on cheese ball?! I'm dying :D LOVE Gourmet Garden! I use their pastes all the time and restock often. I haven't seen the lightly dried herbs yet, so I'll keep an eye out for them.
This cheeseball looks perfect! I love those new gourmet gardens lightly dried spices. I tried them this summer and fell in love!
Seriously love this cheese ball so much!