Pistachio-Crusted Cranberry and Thyme Cheese Balls

Yield: about 40 cheese balls

Ingredients

• 1 (11 ounce) package soft fresh goat cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) package natural cream cheese
• 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries flavored with orange
• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or a hearty pinch of dried leaf thyme
• 1 cup shelled salted pistachios

Instructions

1. Mix the goat and cream cheeses, cranberries and thyme in a medium bowl until smooth; refrigerate.
2. Put the pistachios in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped.
3. Transfer mixture to a shallow bowl or pie plate.
4. Gather a mound of the cheese mixture with a teaspoon into a 3/4 inch diameter ball; roll it in the pistachios to coat all over.
5. Place on a plate.
6. Repeat with remaining cheese mixture.
7. Refrigerate, covered, until firm, about 30 minutes or up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Per serving: 68 calories, 65% of calories from fat, 5g fat, 3g saturated fat, 10mg cholesterol, 4g carbohydrates, 3g protein, 58mg sodium, 0g fiber