Recipe: Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves

Chef Jill recently hosted a Cheese and Charcuterie Class at Anders Ruff Workshop in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Make her recipe for a Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves during your next party!

Ingredients:

1 cup finely chopped toasted or candied pecans

( Kirklands brand candied ones  will save a step )

3/4 cup Duke’s mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

1/4-1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 (8-oz.) blocks sharp Cheddar cheese, finely grated*

1/2 cup strawberry preserves

Ritz crackers

Directions

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. ( skip this step if using candied)

Stir together mayonnaise and next 2 ingredients. Stir in pecans and cheese.

Spoon mixture into a plastic wrap-lined 4-cup ring mold (Like an old fashioned jello mold) with a 2 1/2-inch center. Cover and chill 2 hours.

Spoon preserves in center and serve with Ritz crackers