This classic appetizer is a beloved favourite in the South and is sure to please any party crowd. It's a simple and customizable recipe that you can adjust to your personal taste.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded sharp
cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces of cream
cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- One teaspoon of hot
sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic
powder
- 1/4 cup chopped
pimento peppers, drained
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
(optional)
- One tablespoon of
chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions:
- In a food processor,
combine the shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, hot sauce, and garlic
powder. Pulse the ingredients until they are mixed, making sure not to
overmix. The cheese should still have some texture and remain somewhat
chunky.
- Add the softened cream
cheese to the mixture and pulse until everything is well combined.
- Stir in the chopped
pimento peppers and pecans (if desired).
- Line a small bowl with
plastic wrap. Transfer the cheese mixture to the bowl and smooth the top.
Cover it carefully with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours
or overnight.
- When ready to serve,
take the cheese ball out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room
temperature for 15 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap and, if preferred,
roll the cheese ball in chopped parsley.
- Serve the cheese ball
with crackers or crudités.
Tips:
- If you prefer a
spicier cheese ball, feel free to add more hot sauce according to your
taste.
- You can experiment
with additional ingredients to customize your cheese balls, such as crispy
bacon, scallions, or a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
- If you'd like to make
a smaller cheese ball, simply halve the ingredients.
- The cheese ball may be
kept for up to three days in the refrigerator.
Here are some extra tips to help you create the perfect pimento cheese
ball:
- Choose a high-quality,
sharp cheddar cheese that has a robust flavour and the desired level of
sharpness.
- Avoid overmixing the
cheese mixture, as this can result in a texture that is too smooth. It's
important to retain some of the chunkiness for a great mouthfeel.
- If you're not a fan of
hot sauce, feel free to omit it or use a milder variety.
- Don't hesitate to get
creative and add other ingredients that you enjoy to enhance the flavour
profile of your cheese ball.
- Remember that you can
always adjust the proportions of the ingredients to make a smaller-sized
cheese ball if needed.
- The prepared cheese
ball can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
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