I can’t believe it’s <3 weeks until Christmas! LESS than 3 weeks!!!
(p.s. yes…sadly I know this photograph is sub-par. I took this in January when I knew nothing about photography! I will be replacing/updating it this holiday season when I repeat the recipe!)
About Christmas…It’s 20 days from today. And, I have yet to complete my shopping.
That may not seem like a problem – but I need to ship them. And, I do want them to arrive early enough so they are decorative and festive under their tree.
i.seriously.need.to.get.it.together. and.soon.
I was thinking that for the month of December, y’all are probably as busy as I am, and that your life this month will be as hectic as I expect mine will be.
With finishing shopping, wrapping gifts, gathering with friends and family to celebrate the holidays… Yikes! It can get to be to much!
So…for this month on IK…I’ll be highlighting appetizers.
Quick, easy, delicious ~ and things you can throw together for friends dropping by for a festive beverage to celebrate the holidays with the people they/you love.
I’m not sure I can give you a better gift this holiday season than quick appetizer recipes for the month!
With that said, if you love goat cheese – you will love these Roasted Red Pepper, Bacon and Goat Cheese bites! They are SO festive for Christmas with the white of the goat cheese, the red of the roasted red peppers, and the fact they are finished by being rolled in green Pistachios! (p.s. You can also use Pepitas (pumpkin seeds!) for the same great green color!)
I say – be happy, be merry – and bring in the colors of the holiday and the season with this fun and tasty appetizer!
Enjoy!
Roasted Red Pepper, Bacon, Goat Cheese Appetizer Bites
Ingredients
- 4 ounces plain goat cheese softened
- 1/4 cup roasted red pepper finely chopped
- 2 slices center-cut bacon cooked and finely chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup pistachios chopped and crushed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix softened goat cheese with a mixer until crumbled and slightly creamy.
- Add roasted red pepper to goat cheese mix and blend until smooth. The juice of the red pepper will make the mixture nice and creamy.
- Fold in the bacon, garlic powder and ground black pepper and mix thoroughly until no white goat cheese crumbles remain.
- Using a teaspoon, measure and roll the goat cheese into round bite-sized balls, then roll into chopped pistachios.
- Put on a serving plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Serve.
Notes
Adapted slightly from How Sweet It Is.
Johlene says
Hi Kristi, these are the cutest little bites!! Can imagine having these as a starter on a bed of greens or as tapas for Xmas 🙂 Xx
Kristi says
Thanks Johlene! That’s my plan too – making them for the holidays & friends!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Wow – after seeing this post, I am BOTH happy AND merry! These look awesome, and so easy! Oh, yeah – and they involve goat cheese (yep – agree with ya – love, love!!!). These are totally going on my absolutely-positively-have-to-make-super-soon list! You are my hero of the day for this one, my friend! No kidding! 😀
Kristi says
Thanks Shelley! I’m so glad you like them! I hope your family loves them too!
Kelly says
I haven’t finished my holiday shopping or baking yet either – eeks time just seems to be going by so quickly. I love the sound of these mini bites Kristi. Roasted red peppers with goat cheese and bacon? Yum! And love the crunch from the pistachios too 🙂
Kristi says
I know – I think this holiday month goes TWICE as fast. When I wrote this post and realized it was only 20 days away, my first thought was “Yikes!” Have a wonderful week!
Marcie says
These look like such a great appetizer! I know what you mean about sub-par photos — I’ve taken plenty that I’d love to re-do. 🙂
Kristi says
Just one more thing to add to my To Do List – ‘re-take sub-par photos’. The good news is, I’ll get to make these little gems again! Thanks Marcie! Have a beautiful day!
Josefine {The Smoothie Lover} says
Lovely recipe Kristi! I love goat cheese so I’m sure I’m gonna love these.
Kristi says
I’m with you Josefine – I can never get enough goat cheese. It’s my guilty pleasure! Have a wonderful day!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
I love that you’ll be posting appetisers from now on! They’re perfect for this season, and if they look as delish as these truffles, I’m in 😀
Kristi says
Yeah for appetizers! I think it’s a great idea for this month too! Always lots of people over, so it’s nice to have something easy to feed them! Have a great week Consuelo!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
We have to ship most of our gifts too so I am going to try to finish my shopping this weekend. Thanks for sharing these goat cheese appetizer bites. I just love red pepper, bacon and goat cheese, yum!
Kristi says
Thanks Ashley! I’m VERY close to being done too! So looking forwarding to heading to the Post Office!
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
Mmmm! I love goat cheese. These appetizers look delish! 😀
Kristi says
Thanks Ruby! Enjoy the week!!!
ashley - baker by nature says
What a fun and unique appetizer idea!!!
Kristi says
Thanks! If you love goat cheese, you’ll love it!
Monet says
I can’t believe that Christmas will be here SO SOON. I do love goat cheese so we’ll be making this very very soon. Thank you for sharing!
Kristi says
I know – it’s just around the corner. So glad to give you a recipe you can make quickly so you have more time for shopping!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
I like the sound of these bites! Goat cheese, bacon and roasted red peppers rolled up in one? YUMMY! Have a great weekend Kristi!
Kristi says
You too have a beautiful week Anne! Thanks for stopping by!
Liz @Life Made Sweet.com says
I totally love goat cheese and I can’t wait to make this!! Bring the apps on!!!
Kristi says
I’m a HUGE fan of goat cheese too! I’m surprised I didn’t eat all of these myself!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
This quick appetizer is right up my alley since I have to cook something nice for a Christmas party. I am a big fan of goat cheese and I love the pistachio crumbs around these beautiful bites!
Kristi says
So glad you like them! They’d be great and easy for a crowd!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
3 weeks!! I didn’t realize that…ugh I need to get moving on my shopping. I too need to mail my gifts out so those need to be sent soon. It can be a little stressful. Great timing, posting this awesome stress-less appetizer! Looks so delicious! I have to make these soon. Pinning ASAP!
Kristi says
I know, right? It snuck up on me too! Not enough time, too much to do!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
I love goat cheese balls and I especially love your combination of roasted red peppers and bacon and the Pistachios are a fab idea!
Kristi says
Goat cheese is love. Hahaha!!! I love it too.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Not sub par at all, it made me want to take a bite of it straight away! 😀
Kristi says
Thanks Lorraine! I really appreciate that!
Ashley says
I think appetizers are perfect recipes this time of the year – we all have parties, etc to go to and need inspiration! And I love these bites! I wish I had seen them earlier – our holiday party is tonight! But that’s okay – I’ll have to try them for something else : )
Kristi says
I’m so happy to get to inspire you with ideas for the holidays! Enjoy your party!
Aimee / Wallflower Girl says
Wonderful appetizer idea, the flavours sound delicious!
Kristi says
Very savory – perfect for Christmas!
Claire @ The Black Cat Kitchen says
mmm Kristi these look so perfect for Christmas nibbles with a nice cocktail! Love goats cheese and red pepper together. Will be making these next dinner party of the season for sure 🙂
Kristi says
Great! I’m so glad you like them Claire! Have a wonderful week!
Sarah & Arkadi says
These bites look great!
Kristi says
Thanks Sarah! Have a wonderful week!