entertaining by the bay

casual cooking and living

Port Soaked Cherries, Blue Cheese and Pistachio Dip

Here is a perfect holiday cheese dip for New Year's Eve or any festive party. This delicious dip starts with uses fresh cherries soaked in a port wine reduction and then added to a creamy cheese base with the flavor really kicked up by adding some crumbled blue cheese. As if these flavors weren't enough the dip gets some nice crunch to it's texture by adding chopped pistachios. This dip has beautiful color - reds and greens mixed together. Serve with some crusty bread or potato chips on the side and enjoy!

Ingredients

1/2 cup port wine

1/4 cup fresh chopped cherries, pitted

1/4 cup roasted and salted pistachio nuts, chopped

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

optional: extra chopped pistachios for garnish

Directions

In a small saucepan add port and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 10 minutes thickening the liquid and reducing to half. Add the cherries and set aside for an hour. In a food processor add all ingredients except the port, cherries and pistachios. Blend well. Remove from processor and place in a bowl. Strain the cherries from the port and add to the dip along with the chopped pistachios. Fold well to combine all ingredients. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use in an air tight container. Allow to come to room temperature before serving. Sprinkle some chopped pistachios to garnish.