🍽️Appetizer

Herbed Cheese Hors d'Oeuvre (Ardour Panir)

Name: Herbed Cheese Hors d'Oeuvre (Ardour Panir)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 250 g cream cheese, softened; 120 g feta cheese, crumbled; 1 garlic clove, finely minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder); 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or sesame seeds; Celery leaves, grape leaves, or lettuce leaves, for garnish

"Elegant, herb-infused cheese truffles that bring the vibrant flavors of a Persian garden to your appetizer platter."

Prep:15 min

Cook:45 min

LevelMedium

Analyzing...

● Ingredients

250 g cream cheese, softened
120 g feta cheese, crumbled
1 garlic clove, finely minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or sesame seeds
Celery leaves, grape leaves, or lettuce leaves, for garnish

🌱 Vegetarian🌱 Gluten-Free🌱 Keto-Friendly🌱 Low-Carb⚡ Medium

❤️Health52%

😋Taste88%

🥳Joy82%

👨‍🍳Difficulty25/100

📜 The Story

This dish is a refined take on 'Paneer Sabzi,' a cornerstone of Persian hospitality where fresh herbs and salty cheeses are served as a refreshing palate cleanser. Traditionally rooted in Iranian culinary culture, these bite-sized spheres transform the rustic 'Panir' experience into an elegant appetizer suitable for modern gatherings.

🧬 Flavor DNA

🍋Sour

4/10

🧂Salty

7/10

🌶️Spicy

2/10

🍯Sweet

1/10

🍄umami

5/10

☕Bitter

2/10

✨ Sensory Profile

"A velvety blend of tangy feta and rich cream cheese provides a cooling foundation for the sharp, aromatic notes of fresh mint and parsley. The initial creamy bite is punctuated by the earthy, toasted crunch of walnuts, leaving a clean, herbaceous finish on the palate."

Chef's Mastery

💡

The Secret

For a more complex flavor profile, lightly toast the walnuts or sesame seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant before rolling the cheese balls.

⚠️

Avoid This

Using a low-quality, overly brine-heavy feta; ensure the feta is well-drained and patted dry to prevent the mixture from becoming too runny to shape.

❄️

Storage

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days; add the nut coating just before serving to maintain maximum crunch.

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and crumbled feta. Mix thoroughly until smooth and fully blended.

Add the minced garlic (or garlic powder), chopped parsley, and chopped mint. Stir until the herbs are evenly distributed.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 20 minutes to allow the mixture to firm up, making it easier to shape.

Using clean hands or a small scoop, portion the mixture and roll into small balls about the size of a walnut.

Roll each cheese ball in the chopped walnuts or sesame seeds, pressing gently so the coating adheres evenly.

Refrigerate the finished cheese balls until ready to serve. Just before serving, arrange them on a platter lined with grape leaves, celery leaves, or lettuce leaves.