Greetings, fellow food enthusiasts and party planners extraordinaire! Are you ready to elevate your holiday hosting game to a whole new level of deliciousness? Enter the Turkuterie Board - where the art of charcuterie meets the whimsy of a turkey-shaped cheeseball! Nestled at the center of our Turkuterie Board, this edible turkey creation is a feast for the eyes and taste buds alike.
If you have a favorite cheeseball recipe, it's the perfect time to bust it out to make the bird. However, if you're new to making cheeseballs, you're in for a treat – they're incredibly easy to make and wonderfully flavorful. My personal recipe is a blend of dried cranberries, scallions, garlic, thyme, and lemon zest, offering a delightful combination of flavors. But the beauty of this recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with different add-ins and seasonings. For instance, try swapping in chopped bacon, ranch seasoning, a dash of hot sauce, or even a hint of truffle salt with Italian seasoning and a touch of balsamic. Or, for a Southern twist, mix in diced pimentos, onion and garlic powders, and a scoop of mayo. Each variation brings its own unique flavor, making your turkuterie board not just a visual treat, but a celebration of flavors at any festive gathering! Here is my recipe:
Ingredients:
- 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 8 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 2 scallions, finely chopped
- 4 oz dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- lemon zest
- 1 c pecans, finely chopped
- Cream Cheese Preparation: Start by taking cream cheese that's been brought to room temperature. Use a paddle attachment on a stand mixer, or a hand mixer, to beat the cream cheese until it becomes smooth and free of lumps.
- Adding Ingredients: To the smooth cream cheese, add freshly grated cheddar cheese, chopped dried cranberries, chopped thyme, garlic and lemon zest.
- Mixing: Ensure all these ingredients are thoroughly mixed into the cream cheese. This ensures every bite of the cheeseball has a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Shaping and Chilling: Once the mixture is well combined, use your hands to shape it into a the turkey's body. The texture should be firm enough to hold its shape. After shaping, place the cheeseball in the refrigerator. Chilling it will help solidify the shape and make it easier to work with.
Customizing your gobbler:
After chilling, use edible elements to bring your creation to life. Here's what I did to make my "feathered" friend:
Coating with Pecans: spread a lot of plastic wrap on my work surface to catch any mess. Then, I took handfuls of chopped pecans and sprinkled them over the cheeseball. Using my hands, I gently pressed the pecans onto the cheeseball until it was completely coated. This created a lovely, nutty exterior that looked like a turkey's body.
Creating Wings with Almonds: For the wings, I used sliced almonds as feathers. I carefully pressed them into the sides of the cheeseball to give the impression of wing feathers.
Adding Facial Features: For the turkey's face, I used the tip of a mini red pepper for the wattle and a small wedge of carrot for the beak. For the eyes, I chose freeze-dried blueberries for their beady appearance. I gently pressed these items onto the cheeseball to form the face.
Making the Turkey's Fan: To create the fan of feathers at the back, I used pretzel sticks wrapped in prosciutto. I also added halved dried figs on toothpicks for extra detail. I stuck these in the back of the cheeseball in a decorative manner, making it look like a fanned turkey tail. You could add a variety of cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, and turkey slices.
Bringing your turkey home to roost: Assembling your Turkuterie Feast
Encircle your turkey cheeseball with an array of gourmet goodies. From artisanal cheeses and cured meats to fresh fruits, nuts, and olives, let the variety speak volumes. Achieve the perfect balance by incorporating an assortment of textures. Crispy crackers, crusty bread, and crunchy vegetables provide a delightful contrast to the creamy decadence of the cheeseball. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also ensures that every guest finds their perfect pairing.
Bring this festive fowl to your Thanksgiving celebrations. The Turkuterie Board is more than a feast; it's a conversation starter. So, gather your favorite flavors, arrange with flair, and let the gobbling commence!
