Grilled Celery With Pecans And Cheddar Spread Food

PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD WITH SMOKED PAPRIKA

Steps:

• Grate cheese into a medium sized bowl.
• Toast pecans, then rough chop in a food processor.
• Add drained pimentos, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cream cheese to the pecans in the food processor bowl. Process until as smooth as you'd like!
• Add pimento pecan mixture to the grated cheese; add mayonnaise and stir until well combined.
• Serve immediately, or chill for a better blend of flavors. Serve on crackers, celery sticks, or make into sandwiches!
• NOTE: I prefer the stiffer pimento cheese spread (as written) for toasted/grilled sandwiches! For a softer consistency, add 1-2 ounces more cream cheese, or increase the mayonnaise by 1-2 tablespoons.

JALAPENO-PECAN CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat cream cheese, cheddar cheese, pecans and green onions until blended. On a serving plate, form mixture into desired shape. Refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours., In a microwave, warm jelly until melted; spread over cheese spread. Serve with crackers.

SPRUCED-UP CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Mix the first 7 ingredients and 1/3 cup pimientos. Stir in cheese., Transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle with parsley, pecans and remaining pimientos. Serve with crackers.

GRILLED PEPPERCORN STEAK AND CARAMELIZED PECAN SALAD WITH CABERNET-CHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, brown mustard, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, cracked pepper, and port wine in a bowl; pour marinade into a resealable plastic bag. Add the beef, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (up to 5 days if necessary).
• Bring Cabernet wine and dried cherries to a boil in a saucepan, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until wine has reduced to about 1/3 of its original volume, about 20 minutes. Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt into the wine mixture and pour in extra-virgin olive oil. Remove from heat and let dressing cool.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a sheet pan.
• Toss pecan pieces in a bowl with water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl until thoroughly coated. Spread coated pecans into the prepared sheet pan.
• Bake pecans in the preheated oven until the coating adheres to the nuts and pecans are fragrant and brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from pan and immediately transfer to a large heatproof plate to finish cooling. Be careful, candied pecans are extremely hot. Set pecans aside to cool.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for very high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove steak pieces from marinade, shake off excess marinade, and grill until steaks are seared and done to your desired degree of rareness, 1 1/2 to 3 minutes per side. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a steak should read 145 degrees F (65 degrees C) for medium-well. Discard used marinade. Let steaks stand for 5 minutes after grilling before cutting into thin slices.
• To serve, mix baby greens with shaved carrot and radishes in a salad bowl and divide onto 4 large serving plates. Lay slices of beef in a spoke pattern on top of greens and sprinkle each salad generously with candied pecans. Whisk dressing and drizzle over salads, distributing a few cherries onto each salad.