Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves

Ingredients

• 10 servings round buttery crackers assorted
• 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
• 16 oz blocks sharp cheddar cheese finely grated
• 0.5 cup strawberry preserves 

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce 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. Fill center of ring with preserves.
6. Serve with crackers.
7. Garnish, if desired.
8. *Sharp white Cheddar cheese may be substituted.
9. Four Swaps for Strawberry Preserves.
10. Serve any of these mixtures with Ashley's Cheese Ring for a new take on a classic. You can prep and chill up to four days ahead.
11. Mint-Pepper Jelly: Stir together 1/2 cup pepper jelly and 1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh mint.
12. Basil-Blackberry Preserves: Stir together 1/2 cup blackberry preserves and 1 1/2 to 2 tsp. chopped fresh basil.
13. Rosemary-Pear Preserves: Stir together 1/2 cup pear preserves and 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary.
14. Balsamic-Strawberry Preserves: Bring 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 18 to 20 minutes or until reduced to about 2 Tbsp.
15. Let cool 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup strawberry preserves.