Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 12 ounces smoked salmon (hot-smoked or cold-smoked), or regular cooked salmon with 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, drained and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon pepper spice mix
- 1 cup roughly chopped pecans, toasted and cooled
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as chives, parsley, dill, etc.)
- Everything bagel seasoning, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, sour cream, drained and patted dry smoked salmon (or salmon and liquid smoke), finely chopped red onion, and lemon pepper spice mix.
- Mixing Tip: You can use your hands for a more rustic texture or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for a smoother, more uniform consistency.
- Gentle Mixing: Mix the ingredients together gently until just well-blended. Avoid over-mixing to prevent the cheese ball from becoming too soft.
- Shape the Cheese Ball: Once the ingredients are combined, use your hands to form the cheese mixture into a ball shape.
- Shaping Tip: If the mixture is too soft to shape easily, place it in the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes. This will firm up the cheese and make it easier to work with.
- Uniform Shape: Aim for a relatively round and even ball for a visually appealing presentation.
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish or on a plate, combine the toasted and cooled chopped pecans and the chopped fresh herbs. Mix them together to evenly distribute the herbs among the pecans.
- Coating Prep: Spreading the coating mixture in a single layer makes it easier to roll the cheese ball evenly.
- Coat the Cheese Ball: Take the formed cheese ball and carefully roll it in the pecan and herb mixture.
- Even Coating: Gently press the coating mixture onto the cheese ball to ensure it adheres to the entire surface. Rotate the cheese ball as you roll to get an even coating all around.
- Decorative Touch: The coating not only adds flavor and texture but also creates a beautiful and festive appearance.
- Serve or Chill: You can serve the Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball immediately with crackers, veggie slices, or baguette slices for a delightful appetizer.
- Chill for Flavor Enhancement: For intensified flavors and a firmer texture, refrigerate the coated cheese ball for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Optional Sprinkle: Just before serving, you can sprinkle a little everything bagel seasoning over the coated cheese ball for an extra layer of flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 150-167
- Fat: 14-16 grams
- Carbohydrates: 2.5-3.3 grams
- Protein: 5-6 grams