Appetizer Tree: Crudi-Tree With Cheese Ball Presents

For the Romanesco tree, cut the Romanesco into florets and arrange them from largest to smallest. Reserve the top of the prettiest Romanesco for the top of the tree. Attach the florets to the “tree” using toothpicks, arranging the largest florets at the bottom of the cone and working upwards in a circle, using the smaller florets at the top of the cone. Use frisee to fill in any gaps between the florets, to cover the cone. Attach the reserved Romanesco topper for the top of the tree.

For the bell pepper tree, cut the red bell peppers into strips for dipping. Starting from the bottom, secure a rubber band around the cone about a pepper’s length up from the base of the cone. Carefully slip the red bell pepper strips under the rubber band to form the bottom layer. Repeat for the next two layers, covering the rubber band from the bottom layer with the next layer of peppers. As you move up the cone, you may need to tighten the rubber band. Using the ribbon, tie a bow around each rubber band to conceal them.

Using a paring knife, cut a star shape out of the yellow bell pepper and attach it to the top of the cone with a toothpick.

For the “presents,” in a large bowl, mix cream cheese, goat cheese and parmigiano-reggiano. Add chopped rosemary, lemon zest, cinnamon, and chili flakes. Form mixture into assorted present shapes with your hands and wrap them tightly in plastic. Refrigerate overnight to harden.

Before serving, press cheese presents into chopped pistachios or pomegranate seeds to adhere, being careful to preserve the shapes. For the garnish, use parsley and rosemary sprigs as bows and ribbons for “present” decorations.