PECAN CHEESE RING
Pretty as a picture! This is an appetizer for a special occasion. When I have big parties, I like to make it a cocktail party and have all kinds of different appetizers from my cookbooks. It's a lot of fun and sometimes a bit easier to feed a crowd in an informal way.
8 cups grated Cheddar cheese (2 L)
1 cup mayonnaise (250 mL)
1 tsp creamed horseradish (5 mL)
1 tsp prepared mustard (5 mL)
1 tsp cayenne pepper (5 mL)
1 cup chopped pecans (250 mL)
1 cup strawberry fruit spread, (250 mL)
(optional)
In large bowl, combine Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, horseradish, mustard and cayenne pepper. Stir well. Place 3-inch custard cup in center of 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan. Sprinkle almost half the pecans in springform pan. Spread cheese mixture over top and smooth surface. Cover with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate until firm (about 2 hours). Place on pretty serving plate. Pat remaining pecans on top and around circumference of cheese ring. Surround with low-carb crackers and, if desired, spoon strawberry fruit spread in center.
Nutritional Analysis: 24 servings
1 serving: 192.4 calories; 10.3 g protein; 16.4 g fat; 1.2 g carbs