If you’re looking for an incredibly flavorful holiday appetizer that will be a hit, then look no further than this keto pesto cheese blossom!
I am so thankful. For everything, really. My husband, the kids, our home, family, friends, job, etc. But specifically, during the holidays, I’m so thankful for my hubby’s cooking skills. Y’all, the man knows his way around the kitchen!
Ok, I have a confession to make. Back in the day, before I was married, before kids, before I became a short-order cook at the G house… I was a horrible cook. I’ve come a LONG way since the early days of our relationship!
It’s shameful, really. My specialties were turkey dogs, baked tilapia, and steamed veggies. And I may have even burned the steamed broccoli a time or two. My husband even swears I burned water once, but I don’t believe that.
Yes, there was only water in the pot and yes, it was smoking uncontrollably, but it’s not like I burned it. I have no idea what happened though! So I was the luckiest woman in the world when I happened upon my husband and he could cook things like a grown up. He taught me how to sauté!
One of my favorite things that he makes is the keto Pesto Cheese Blossom. This thing is incredible. It’s cheese, with yummy flavors, wrapped in cheese. Basically. Ok, maybe it’s more than that, but still… cheese. And since we’re being honest, we make this for Christmas too. And basically any time there is a party between Halloween and New Year’s. Once you taste it, you’ll understand.
This appetizer is perfect for any get togethers, and it pairs wonderfully with candied bacon sweet potatoes, garlic mashed cauliflower, and even crockpot rotisserie chicken!
So cream cheese mixed with garlic, layered with sun dried tomatoes and pesto sauce, wrapped in a ball of provolone. Slice it, eat it with crackers, eat it alone. Lick your fingers afterward, it’s ok. We don’t judge. If your house is anything like ours during the holidays, grab your cocktail and appetizer plate because you are going to want to try this one!
Holiday Pesto Cheese Blossom
Holiday Pesto Cheese Blossom
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce package sliced provolone cheese
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 ounces oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
- Line a medium bowl with plastic wrap, leaving enough overhang to cover the top.
- Reserving 3 slices of the provolone, line the bottom and sides of the bowl with the remaining provolone, overlapping the slices.
- For the cream cheese layer, process the cream cheese and 1 of the garlic cloves in a food processor until blended; scrape the mixture into a bowl and set aside.
- For the pesto layer, process the basil, parsley and the remaining garlic clove in the food processor until blended.
- Dissolve the salt and pepper in the olive oil and mix well.
- With the machine running, add the oil in a fine stream.
- Scrape this mixture into a second bowl and set aside.
- For the tomato layer, drain the tomatoes, reserving the oil.
- Puree the tomatoes with a small amount of the reserved oil in a food processor.
- Spread about 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture over the cheese slices lining the bowl.
- Layer the pesto mixture, half of the remaining cream cheese mixture, the sun-dried tomato mixture, and then the remaining cream cheese mixture in the bowl.
- Cover with the remaining provolone.
- Bring the edges of the plastic wrap together over the top and secure with a twist tie.
- Freeze until firm - about an hour.
- Remove the plastic wrap and invert the mold onto a serving platter.
- Serve with party crackers.
Nutrition
This holiday recipe is so fantastic, but make sure you work off the calories afterward. It’s obviously not that healthy, and is super addictive, so it’s best to keep it as a holiday-only treat!
This looks absolutely delectable! You’re very lucky your man can and will cook. Mine would outshine me in the kitchen, but he doesn’t want the responsibility that comes with that role. So it’s me, 99% of the time.
Most of the time now it’s me too, but mostly because I am the one home. He will cook from time to time though, but this dish is his “signature” dish. Everyone always requests it at the holidays, and it’s gone in 10 minutes flat. SO yummy!
This looks yummy! I’m so jealous your husband taught you how to cook. I wish mine would cook lol.
Haha, I’m a lucky lady, that I know 🙂
Omgoodness….this looks amazing. I LOVE all things cheese. Thanks for posting this!
PS. Yes, you really are lucky with a cooking hubby, lol!
That looks almost too pretty to eat. But I love cheese, so I would eat it anyway!
It’s even tastier than it is pretty, trust me 😉
Just the phrase “cheese blossom” makes this officially the best idea ever! It looks like a great way to wow some guests. Although I’m sure mine wouldn’t turn out as lovely as that!
It always comes through on wowing the guests! Everyone always requests it at the holidays.
Oh I love this cheese blossom. What a great idea and so delicious!
It’s my favorite holiday appetizer 🙂
Isn’t it great having a man that can cook? Lol. Those look delicious!
It’s the best! If he couldn’t cook, we would have starved the first couple years 😉
Yum. Saving this one for this weekend.
You’ll love it. You’re welcome 😉
Yum! This sounds amazing! I love cheese and pesto, so this sounds like the perfect combination.
It really is such an amazing flavor combo!
We dont have to wait for the holidays to make this do we? lol. This looks delicious ????
Make it any time! 😉
This is one of my favorite holiday treats, but I have never made it look so pretty!
My husband makes things look pretty, I just make them taste good 😉
This looks so yummy! Pinning for the holidays!
Thanks! I hope you like it 🙂
I can’t wait to make this! My hubby and MIL love pesto. This looks really good! Do you think mozzarella will sub okay for provolone?
Mozzarella would probably be ok, but to be honest we’ve never made it with that! My husband likes to use the thin cut provalone, and it is so tasty!
Look so delicious. I love to try out varied dishes from around the world. This looks like something I can try out and it is soo easy.
My man..well, he knows to make tea and boil egg . But then hey he does the dishes n throw the garbage and the vacuum. So Yay. I am grateful for that.
Making tea and housework are wonderful things to do for the woman you love! What a good man you have there. 🙂
What a great idea for the holidays! This looks so pretty and sounds delicious!
Definitely give it a try! Hope you like it 🙂
This looks so awesome and festive!
Thanks, Bethany!
This looks delicious… keeping this one in the favorites
It is sooooo delicious. Hope you get a chance to try it!
Pinned! I can’t wait to make this and impress all my friends!
Girl, they’re going to love it!