Festive Cheese Ring Food

STRAWBERRY CHEESE RING

Steps:

• Combine all the ingrdients except preserves in a food processor or electic mixer.
• Mix thoroughly and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
• Scoop mixture onto a platter.
• Use your hands to mold mixture into a ring formation.
• Spread strawberry preserves in the center of ring.
• Serve with buttery crackers.

HOLIDAY CHEESE WREATH

Steps:

• On a 10- to 12-inch diameter plate, arrange cheese cubes into a wreath shape. Arrange tomatoes on top like ornaments. Use sprigs of rosemary to surround and accent wreath.
• Cut pepper in half and remove seeds and membranes from one half. Lay seeded pepper half face-down on cutting board and use a small, pointy knife to cut out the head of a bow. Place pepper bow at the base of the wreath. Cut two straight pepper strips and slide under the bow head to resemble ribbons hanging down.

ROSALYNN CARTER'S CHEESE RING

Steps:

• Combine cheese with mayo, chopped nuts and onions.
• Mix in black pepper and cayenne, and blend thoroughly.
• Press into a 3-cup ring mold.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• To serve, dip mold into a pan of hot water for 15-20 seconds before turning out onto a serving platter. Fill center with strawberry preserves. Serve with crackers of your choice.

CHEESE RING

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, green onion, cayenne pepper, and garlic salt until well blended. Coat a ring shaped gelatin mold generously with cooking spray. Spoon the cheese mixture into the mold, cover, and chill for 2 to 3 hours to set.
• Unmold onto a serving plate, and pour raspberry preserves into the center. Arrange wheat crackers around the outside of the ring.

FESTIVE CHEESE RING

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients with mixer on LOW, just until combined.
• Spray mold with oil and put pecans in bottom evenly.
• Put cheese mixture in and press down firmly to pack.
• Refrigerate over night to let flavors marry.
• Unmold and put jam/preserves in center of ring.
• Serve with crispy wheat or grain crackers. We prefer Wheat Thins!

FESTIVE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Put the three cheeses in a food processor, and buzz until blended.
• Add the remaining ingredients -- except for the sunflower seeds and parsley -- and buzz to blend well.
• Put the cheese mixture in the fridge for two hours so it firms up.
• While cheese mixture chills, toast sunflower seeds until they are golden, then remove from pan and allow them to cool. Then stir together seeds and parsley. Set aside.
• Remove cheese mixture from fridge and shape into a ball or log (you may need to wear latex gloves to do this).
• Spread sunflower seeds and parsley on a sheet of waxed paper, and roll cheese ball/log in this combination.
• Serve with crackers, crudités and or small toasts.

FESTIVE CHEESE WREATH APPETIZER

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese and shredded cheese in small bowl with mixer until blended.
• Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Refrigerate several hours.
• Place drinking glass on center of platter. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of cheese mixture around glass, just touching outer edge of glass to form ring; smooth with spatula. Remove glass before serving. Sprinkle with cilantro.

MAC & CHEESE RING

Steps:

• Mac 'n' Cheese:.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 12 cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Coat pan with bread crumbs as if flouring the pan.
• In a dutch oven melt butter over medium high heat. Once the butter has melted whisk in the flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until there are no lumps. Whisk in both cheeses.
• Once the mixture is smooth turn off the heat and stir in the cooked pasta and bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stirring quickly add the eggs being sure not to let them scramble.
• Spoon the mixture in the prepared bundt pan. Use a spatula to press the pasta down to create an even layer. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top and bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
• Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to loosen the sides of the pan before removing.
• Serve with cheese sauce and garnish with crumbled bacon and chives.
• Cheese sauce:.
• Bring the half and half to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cheese in small handfuls and whisk until smooth.