Cheese Ring with Strawberries
Author: 
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8-10
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 (8-oz.) blocks sharp Cheddar cheese, finely grated*
  • ½ cup strawberry preserves
Assorted crackers
Garnishes: chopped toasted pecans, fresh strawberries, strawberry flowers
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool 15 minutes.
  2. Stir together mayonnaise and next 2 ingredients. Stir in pecans and cheese.
  3. Spoon mixture into a plastic wrap-lined 4-cup ring mold with a 2½-inch center. Cover and chill 2 hours.
  4. Unmold cheese ring onto a serving platter. Discard plastic wrap. Fill center of ring with preserves. Serve with crackers. Garnish, if desired.
*Sharp white Cheddar cheese may be substituted.
Four Swaps for Strawberry Preserves. Serve any of these mixtures with Ashley's !Cheese Ring for a new take on a classic. You can prep and chill up to four days ahead.
Mint-Pepper Jelly: Stir together ½ cup pepper jelly and 1½ tsp. chopped fresh mint.
Basil-Blackberry Preserves: Stir together ½ cup blackberry preserves and 1½ to 2 tsp. chopped fresh basil.
Rosemary-Pear Preserves: Stir together ½ cup pear preserves and ½ tsp. chopped fresh rosemary.
Balsamic-Strawberry Preserves: Bring ¾ cup balsamic vinegar to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 18 to 20 minutes or until reduced to about 2 Tbsp. Let cool 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup strawberry preserves.
Recipe by How to Decorate at https://www.ballarddesigns.com/howtodecorate/2013/10/recipe-cheese-ring-with-strawberries/