Did you know THE primary reason to have appetizers for your company is to keep them out of the kitchen? True story.

If your guests arrive and see you pulling together the meal, they will feel obligated to help. I don't want to put company to work, I want them to socialize and relax. (Though mostly I want to FEED them!!!)

This means serving something so tasty people will hover over the table to eat it. They won't even THINK about coming into the kitchen!!

That's where this easy appetizer comes in handy. Not only is it beautifully simple, it requires no measurement. Still, I'll give you a little guidance : )

Here's what you need:

One goat cheese roll (buy the size most appropriate for the crowd, I usually go for the larger size since leftovers are delish!)
One bunch of basil, "chiffonade," to make 1/2 cup or so (see below for pics)
1/2 cup-ish chopped candied pecans (I like the Trader Joes kind!)
1/2 cup-ish chopped dried cranberries
fresh ground pepper, to taste (I don't really count this as an ingredient, so I didn't mislead you!)

The first thing to do is to "chiffonade" the basil. This means stacking your leaves together. Make them even (the picture shows them uneven, but I put them together!)Then roll the leaves together tightly.Using the back part of the knife (that's the sharpest part, you know!), cut into thin ribbons.

Place chopped basil on plastic wrap that's about double the size of the goat cheese roll.Add chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and pepper to the basil. Toss together with your hands and put the goat cheese roll in the middle.Gently press the mixture onto the roll, covering all of the cheese.You can make this roll hours ahead of time and store wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge, but you can also serve as soon as you make it. Put on a small plate (using leftover basil leaves for decoration) or an Appetizer Tray and serve with crackers on the side.Whether you're hosting a party or invited to one this holiday season, there will be lots of opportunities to make or serve this appetizer.

Let me know if you need any assistance with the leftovers!

4 Ingredient Goat Cheese Appetizer