Do you agree that inherited family recipes are “as good as gold?” Not just because they’re tried and true, but because they immediately bring back happy memories! Our ultimate Christmas Eve tradition at Fox Hall is Mummy’s Caviar Ball, served every year during cocktail hour and also, at my holiday parties. It’s the easiest, most elegant holiday appetizer you can make!
This recipe eliminates the ordeal of traditional caviar service (no need for all those little servings of minced egg and onions!). Here is the secret, simple recipe.
The Secret: Mummy’s 5-Ingredient Caviar Ball
This is the cherished recipe I use.
Ingredients:
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8 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
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2 shakes of Worcestershire Sauce
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1–2 Scallions, finely chopped (include the white bulb)
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½ tsp. Cream or Milk
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2 oz. Jar of Caviar (or more if you have it!)
NOTE: Do not use low-fat cream cheese—the flavor and texture depend on “original standard Philadelphia Cream Cheese.”
Directions: How to Make the Perfect Caviar Ball
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Combine the cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, scallions, and cream/milk. Do not add the caviar yet.
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Form & Chill: Place the mixture on plastic wrap and form it into a tight ball. Chill until firm—I recommend making this 1–2 days in advance to allow the scallion flavor to truly meld into the cream cheese.
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Assemble: On serving day, unwrap the ball and place it on a chilled serving dish or simply on a pretty decorative plate or on a silver tray.
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Top with Caviar: Gently and smoothly spread the entire 2 oz. jar of caviar over the cream cheese ball, completely coating the surface.
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Garnish: For a festive touch, use a sprig of holly and half a maraschino cherry (to mimic a red berry because real Holly Berries are poisonous!)
Serving an Elegant Caviar Ball
Try to use a Mother-of-Pearl spoon to serve. Silver spoons can impart a metallic taste on the delicate caviar. In the photo above is a silver sturgeon handle with a mother-of-pearl spoon; perfectly appro pro to serve caviar!
What to Serve With It: I love serving it with toasted white bread points or rounds or water crackers (like Carr’s). You can also serve ruffled potato chips… ruffled because the others break too easily when spreading the caviar ball onto the chip.
Grandmillennial Tips
Toast white bread, cut off the crusts, and slice the piece into four small triangles, or use a small cookie cutter to punch out quarter-sized rounds.
If serving on a silver platter, remove any leftover cream cheese ball immediately after the party, because the salt in the caviar can tarnish, and seriously pit and damage silver…. speaking from my experience as a young bride!
Let me know if you make Mummy’s Caviar Ball… I know she would adore to know the tradition continues on.
Xx
Holly
PS: Please feel free to share my “secret recipe” with those you know who will honor it!