Advent Pomegranate and Cream Cheese Log

by Grazia Barletta · Published December 13, 2021 · Updated December 13, 2021

The word Advent was adopted from Latin adventus, which means “coming arrival” – the season that anticipates the “Coming of Christ”.

Advent candles symbolise hope, love, joy and peace. Each candle represents one of the four weeks of Advent, with one candle lit anew each Sunday during the month of Advent. In many regions, including Southern Africa, traditionally three of the candles are purple, because violet is the liturgical colour that signifies a time of prayer, penance and sacrifice. The pink candle announces Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of the season, which provides a break from the penitential character of Advent.

This simple appetiser — with its combination of cheese, pomegranates, thyme and honey — holds symbolism for the Advent season. The pomegranate is often depicted in paintings of the Madonna and Child. Its availability during the months around Christmas also makes it a great food for the Advent and Christmas seasons. It is a perfect appetiser for any time during the holidays.

Madonna of the Pomegranate painted by Sandro Botticelli

The four ingredients all have symbolism or connection to make them fitting for this season: The pomegranate is a symbol of the hope of eternal life through Christ the Word made flesh. The white of the cheese is a symbol of Our Lady’s purity, which we mark on the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Sage or thyme symbolises Mary’s humility. The honey is a nod to St John the baptist, whom we hear on the 2nd Sunday of Advent preparing the way of the Lord.

The baptiser famously lived on honey and locusts (but we’ll dispense with the insects in our recipe!). It is a yummy flavour combination, with the tangy sweetness of the pomegranates contrasting the tartness of the cheese.

Preparation: 35 min • Servings: 3

Ingredients:

210g cream cheese or goat’s cheese
100g pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries
70g toasted almonds
2 tbsp honey
6 leaves of sage or sprigs of thyme
Zest from 1 lemon

PREPARATION:

Chop the almonds and herbs of choice and mix with the pomegranate, zest and honey.
Put half of the mix into the cheese and incorporate.
Spread a double layer of clingfilm on a clean surface and put the cheese at the centre to form a long shape. Fold the clingfilm over and use it to shape into a cylinder.
Freeze the cheese for 20 minutes.
Spread the remaining mix on a chopping board or clean surface so you can roll the cheese log on top.
Roll the cheese log while applying a bit of pressure so that everything sticks to it. Use your fingers to fill up empty spaces.
Serve with crackers of your choice.
Enjoy with a prayer to Our Lady and St John!

Grazia Barletta is an author, book designer, and food photographer & stylist. She can be contacted at Follow her blog at momentswithgrazia.com and connect with Grazia on Facebook: momentswithgrazia, or Instagram momentswithgrazia

This recipe was published in the November 2021 issue of The Southern cross magazine