Missing old friends

Tony is a good friend of ours who moved back to New Jersey, where most of his family lives. He comes to visit occasionally and either stays with us or other friends in Chicago. I have a lot of very funny friends, but, man, I gotta tell you, other than my husband, Tony is the funniest guy I know (sorry, JST!). Not just funny, but also a very good cook. Miss you terribly, Bean Curd...this one's for you...

Tony's Goat Cheese Dip

2 4-oz packages of goat cheese
salt (to taste)
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup of chopped pistachios
1/2 stick of butter
optional: fresh cut chives, minced

1. Let the cheese and butter soften at room temp. Whip together with a fork, blending well.
2. Take a fairly large garlic clove and chop into little pieces. add a teaspoon of salt to the garlic, and with the back of spoon smush together until it makes a paste.
   
3. Add the garlic-salt paste to the cheese-butter mix and whip that together.
4. Add the pistachios and chopped up chives (the chives are really optional).
5. Heat at 10-second intervals in the microwave, stirring frequently, until the texture "loosens up" but is not too hot.
   
6. Serve with melba rounds, pita chips, or crackers.
7. Prepare to find it irresistible and gain ten pounds.

[NOTE: I sometimes stretch this recipe out by adding a block of cream cheese, which also tames down the flavor of the goat cheese, because it can be overwhelming if you've never tried it before.]