Party Panache, Strawberry, Pecan & Pimiento Cheese Wreath
I’m getting a head start on my holiday menu this week
This cheese ring is easy to whip up
Wrapped well, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week
until ready to garnish and serve
It starts with Pimiento Cheese
I keep my pimiento cheese simple with only 4 ingredients plus pepper
Vermont Sharp White Cheddar, drained chopped pimientos,
pecans, and quality Mayonnaise like Duke’s
Saute the pecans in butter and kosher salt about 5 minutes,
stirring occasionally so they don’t over brown
Let them cool on a piece of wax or parchment paper
Place pecans in food processor and chop
Remove chopped pecans to a small bowl
There is no need to rinse out the food processor bowl
because you will be mixing the pecans into the cheese once it’s grated
Remove chopping blade and put in the grating attachment
Grate cheese, add pimientos and mayonnaise* and season with pepper
*start with a little mayonnaise, pulse, then add more, pulsing until the cheese is the desired consistency. Do a few pulses at a time so your cheese mixture retains some texture and doesn’t turn to mush
Add chopped pecans and again pulse a few times to mix
I used Vermont Sharp White Cheddar,
hoping the cheese mixture would stay white,
but that didn’t happen!
Form a ring on a plate or platter leaving a hole in the center
I am putting the jam in a small bowl since I am doing this ahead of time
When I do the final garnishing, just before serving,
I will remove the bowl and fill the center of the ring with jam
I am going to garnish my wreath with flat leaf parsley and fresh strawberries
And whole pecans
This is an old Southern favorite,
You can make your cheese mixture spicy if desired
or serve it with pepper jelly
I kept mine mild since I wanted it to be kid friendly
STRAWBERRY, PECAN & CHEDDAR CHEESE WREATH
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Vermont Sharp White Cheddar cheese
- 4 oz chopped pimientos, drained
- 1/2-3/4 cup full fat mayonnaise
- freshly ground black pepper or cayenne if you want some kick
- 1 1/2 cups whole pecans
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tsp kosher or sea salt
- 3/4 cup Strawberry jam or preserves
- flat leaf parsley
- 2-4 fresh strawberries cut into smaller pieces
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes until they just start to brown. Remove to a piece of wax or parchment paper to cool. Reserve 12 whole pecans for garnishing.
- Place remaining pecans in the bowl of a food processor that has been fitted with the chopping blade. Pulse to finely chop pecans. Set chopped pecans aside in a small bowl. Remove chopping blade from food processor and add the grating blade. Grate the cheese. Turn cheese out onto a plate, remove grating blade and return chopping blade to processor. Return grated cheese to processor bowl, add pimientos and 1/2 cup mayonnaise. Pulse in short increments to just mix. Remove lid and check consistency. Add more mayonnaise a little at a time until the cheese mixture will hold together but still has texture. Pulse in chopped pecans until just mixed.
- Form cheese mixture into a ring on a serving plate. Place a small bowl in the center for the jam if desired. At this point the ring can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to 1 week.
- When ready to serve, place jam in the center of the ring. Garnish the top of ring with flat leafed parsley leaves and fresh strawberry pieces. Place reserved whole pecans around the edge of ring. Serve with crackers and a spreading knife.
Merry Merry!
🎄🎄🎄
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Love Your Creativity What’s for Dinner?
Between Naps on the Porch, Make it Pretty Monday
Turn About Tuesday Celebrate Your Story, You’re the Star
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday
Thursday Favorite Things Creatively Crafty Home Matters
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Very festive Jenna! Your cheese wreath turned out great:@)
Thanks Lynn!
Delicious and festive Jenna! I’ve made a Southern Living version of this cheese wreath many years ago. Happy Thursday ♥
Yes, it is an old Southern favorite!
Jenna, I love pimiento cheese so this is a must do recipe. Thanks so much for sharing your recipes. Merry Thursday❤️
Thank you Pam!
Jenna, this looks both festive and delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Enjoy your day!!!
An oldie but a goodie!
Looks yum and so pretty!
Thanks Jeanie!
How pretty and delightful!
Thank you Dorothy!
Really pretty Jenna and Iknow it’s delicious. Love our old souther traditions………Hard to believe it’s almost Christmas! Making Merry here, cooking for days……….
Enjoy your cooking Emily, I am going to put “the chef” to work here!
Hi Jenna,
I love the combination of the cheese and strawberries, it looks so pretty! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday in 2019 and hope you will include the party in 2020. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Miz Helen
Thank you Miz Helen, have a great day celebrating the New Year!