Ingredients
- /4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
- teaspoons grated lemon zest
- teaspoon dried tarragon
- /8 teaspoon black pepper
- (6.5 ounce) jars artichoke hearts, drained and cut into uniform bite size pieces
Instructions
-
Step 1
Start by combining the Parmesan and parsley in a shallow dish and set it aside. In a mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, goat cheese, lemon zest, tarragon, and pepper until smooth. I find that letting the cheeses come to room temperature makes blending effortless. Gently fold the artichoke pieces into the cheese mixture, using a light touch to keep them intact. Then, one by one, roll each piece in the Parmesan-parsley mix until nicely coated. The lemon zest adds a bright counterpoint to the rich cheeses, while tarragon brings a subtle licorice hint. If you prefer a crispier exterior, you can add a few extra minutes of rolling to pack on more Parmesan. Place the coated bites on a wax paper-lined tray, cover, and chill for at least an hour to firm up. Once chilled, the bites firm up beautifully and are easy to pick up. I like to take them out 30 minutes before serving for optimal texture and flavor. They should be slightly chilled, not cold, so the cheese is creamy and ready to enjoy.