Dried Apricot and Blue Cheese Canapes With Walnuts

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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.

Why we love this recipe:

They contain just three ingredients and can be prepared up to a day ahead, a huge advantage when you are entertaining.

No special equipment is required. There is no cooking to do. It could not be easier or more impressive. Just mix the softened goat cheese with the chopped dried apricots, roll into small balls and toss them in chopped pistachios.

There is a lovely blend of flavours and contrasting textures in these Apricot Goat Cheese Bites. The tangy, savoury, goat cheese contrasts perfectly with the honey-sweetness of the dried apricots; the chopped pistachios add textural contrast.

If you don't have a lot of confidence in the kitchen, this recipe is perfect. You can be certain that your guests will love these gorgeous little bites.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Dried apricots – the apricots need to be soft, so on this occasion, I have used Turkish apricots.

Goat cheese – use a fresh, mild flavoured, creamy goat cheese, one that is soft and easily spread.

Pistachios – a popular filling and garnish for Middle Eastern sweets. Whilst we think of them as nuts they are actually a seed.

Step by step instructions:

The recipe is very simple. Firstly, you will need to bring the goat cheese to room temperature to soften it a little.

1. Chop the dried apricots;
2. Chop the pistachios.
3. Mix the goat cheese well to make it a creamy paste. Add the chopped apricots.
4. Roll into small balls and toss them in the chopped pistachios.

If making in advance, place them in the refrigerator. Remove them about a half-hour prior to serving.

Tips for success and FAQs:

Bring your goat cheese to room temperature before you start otherwise it will be crumbly and difficult to spread on the apricots.

These Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites are a perfect easy snack or appetiser for your next party. Savoury, sweet and crunchy; they are a delicious blend of flavour and texture.

Customise them to suit yourself. If you prefer, you could use soft, dried figs. If you don't like goat cheese, try cream cheese or soft blue cheese. Use walnuts or almonds. The options are endless.

Can I make the Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites in advance?

Yes, you can make the cheese balls a day ahead. Place them on a plate, cover with cling wrap and refrigerate. Remove from the fridge about a half-hour before serving to bring them to room temperature and then roll in the pistachios. The pistachios will lose some crunch if added a day ahead.

Other delicious appetisers to enjoy:

• Bacon and Onion Tarts
• Caprese Bread Tartlets
• Mini Bacon and Onion Pasties
• Tuna Puff Pastry Pinwheels
• Smoked Salmon Bread Tartlets
• Pepperoni Pastries
• Blue Cheese Tarts

When I need something easy and fresh-tasting, I often turn to these little bites of deliciousness.

Set the Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites out on a serving platter at your next party, either on their own or with some crackers, and they will disappear in minutes. This is a crowd-pleasing appetiser.

Let me know in the comments below when you have tried them!

Alex xx

• ▢ ⅔ cup (150 g) soft, creamy fresh goat cheese – at room temperature See Note 1
• ▢ ½ cup (95 g) soft dried apricots – finely chopped See Note 2
• ▢ ½ cup (50 g) pistachios – finely chopped See Note 3
• ▢ crackers for serving – optional

For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

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• 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.

1. Use asoft goat cheesefor this recipe. It should be at room temperature to ensure it is easy to mix and form into the bites.
2. The apricots must be soft; I have used Turkish apricots. This is the weight when chopped.
3. 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.
   Mypistachios were both unsalted and unroasted.
4. 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.
5. Please note, thenutritional informationis per cheese bite. It does not include if you serve them with a cracker or other item.

Calories: 45 kcal | Carbohydrates: 3 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 3 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 3 mg | Sodium: 28 mg | Potassium: 71 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 2 g | Calcium: 16 mg | Iron: 1 mg

The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

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Source: https://itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com/apricot-goat-cheese-bites/

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