This started as a Christmas treat, but was so popular that it's now served at all special family gatherings. The idea came from a recipe in a Colonial Williamsburg cookbook, but I modified it to get rid of peppercorns and add fruit. Garnish with parsley sprigs and serve with crackers.
½ cup smoked almonds
2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh chives
¼ cup dried cherries
1 (8 ounce) log plain goat cheese
Pulse almonds in the bowl of a food processor until chopped. Add parsley and chives; continue to pulse until incorporated. Add cherries and process until everything is finely chopped and you have a nice mixture of red and green.
Pour nut mixture onto a flat work surface and spread into a thin layer.
Roll goat cheese log in the nut mixture until fully covered. Carefully pick it up and tap the ends of the log into the nut mixture to cover. Place on a serving dish.
