Cheese Ring with Basil-Blackberry Preserves

Ingredients

• 10 servings round buttery crackers assorted
• 1.5 tsp basil fresh chopped
• 1  garlic clove minced
• 0.5 teaspoon hot sauce 
• 0.8 cup mayonnaise 
• 1 cup pecans finely chopped
• 10 servings garnishes: pecans fresh toasted chopped
• 0.5 cup blackberry preserves 
• 16 oz blocks sharp cheddar cheese finely grated

Equipment

• frying pan
• oven
• plastic wrap

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 35
2. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool 15 minutes.
3. Stir together mayonnaise and next 2 ingredients. Stir in pecans and cheese.
4. Spoon mixture into a plastic wrap-lined 4-cup ring mold with a 2 1/2-inch center. Cover and chill 2 hours.
5. Unmold cheese ring onto a serving platter. Discard plastic wrap. Stir together blackberry preserves and basil. Fill center of ring with blackberry preserves mixture.
6. Serve with crackers.
7. Garnish, if desired.
8. *Sharp white Cheddar cheese may be substituted.