My guests love scooping up the savory, salty, sweet, pecan-studded cheese ring filled with strawberry preserves whenever I serve this. This concoction truly is pure bliss on a cracker!
In 1977, Jimmy Carter was elected president, and the First Lady brought her recipe box from Georgia to the White House. Southern cooks are reputed to be among the best in the land.
This is a recipe from Rosalyn Carter's kitchen. It was served at nearly every event where a dozen or more guests were gathered during Carter's term in office. And for good reason.
Mid-century Modern has become the darling of Millenials, and this recipe is a nod to that era of velvet Mediterranean furniture, lava lamps, avocado, and harvest gold appliances, starburst clocks, and Formica tables.
I was not a fan of that era's fashion even when living in it, but I admit to rocking and loving a Farah Fawcett hairstyle, and I did have two of the cutest babies on the planet in that decade, so it wasn't all bad.
First of all, this cheese ring has an intriguing flavor combination that tickles every one of our taste buds. It's savory with sharp cheddar cheese and onion and a little piquant from the Tobasco sauce or chili flakes, sweet because of the jam, and scooped up with crackers that are a little salty. Triscuits, Club Crackers, Ritz crackers, or Wheat Thins are good choices!
This cheese ring is easy to make and can be made ahead, then filled with jam just before serving it! Rosalyn's original recipe calls for strawberry preserves. Still, I make a like of homemade jam, so I have used my strawberry rhubarb jam and my Christmas jam (strawberry-cranberry) instead, with great reviews!
The cheese needs to be grated by you from a block of cheddar. Pre-packaged grated cheese should only be used in the direst of emergency snack making. It's just not the same. Grating is great, but it's a snap if you have a food processor!
Combine the grated cheese and the other ingredients in a bowl and mix them well until everything is completely blended and the mayonnaise is evenly distributed.
Some versions of this recipe call for it to be made in a ring mold, but I think those all were sold at garage sales in the 80s. I mean, really. Who uses one anymore? Besides, there's some kind of creative pleasure that comes from shaping it free-form with your hands. Why deny yourself?
Here's a slick trick to keep the serving plate tidy. Tear three pieces of waxed paper and arrange them in a triangle on the serving plate.
Plop the cheese mixture in the middle and use your clean hands to form the ball into an open ring. Channel your inner potter! Don't worry about perfection; let everyone know you handmade it!
Now carefully pull out the wax paper, leaving a clean serving plate for crackers. Voila! Cover it up tight with plastic wrap and chill it well. When ready to serve, stud the top with more pecans (I added a few cranberries this time,) fill the middle with strawberry jam, and arrange crackers around the edge or close by in a basket.
Stand back and get ready to hear lots of "mmm-mmm" happy sounds as your family and friends enjoy this throwback classic!
It's a delightful throwback recipe from First Lady Rosalyn Carter. This festive cheese ring is a classic savory, sweet, salty treat served with crackers.
In all the hustle and bustle, please remember the one true reason we celebrate this holiday: find time to slow down and enjoy some meaningful time with your loved ones. Christmas is a gift and was never meant to be a burden!
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If you haven't already, please look for me on Facebook and Pinterest, where I will share easy, delicious, family-friendly recipes every week!
Love, GB (Betty Streff)
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