Festive Cheese Ring Recipes

FESTIVE BAKED BRIE BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cube each wheel of Brie into 12 pieces. They do not need to be perfect cubes. Set aside.
• Mix the cranberries and pistachios together in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Lightly dust a cutting board with flour. Unroll the crescent dough (it should be an 8-by-12-inch sheet) onto the dusted surface. Using a knife, cut 4 lines down the 8-inch side and 6 across on the 12-inch side to get 24 squares.
• Place a cube of Brie in the center of each dough square. Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of the pistachio and cranberry mixture over the top of each cube of Brie. Fold the corners of each square together, lightly pinching to seal everything in. Transfer the bites to the prepared baking sheet.
• Whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl and brush the top of each bite with the egg wash. Sprinkle each with a little rosemary and a bit of sea salt. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the bites to a serving platter. Scatter the pomegranate seeds around the bites, drizzle with honey and frame the platter with rosemary sprigs for color and festive fun. Enjoy!

FESTIVE CARROT RING

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the carrots, recover, and steam until very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain water, remove steamer basket, and return carrots to pan; mash with an electric mixer until smooth.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 12 cup ring mold or Bundt® pan; sprinkle mold with 5 tablespoons corn flake crumbs.
• Crack the eggs into a large bowl and beat at high speed until light yellow, about 1 minute. Stir in the cooked carrots, milk, Cheddar cheese, butter, onion, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and the remaining 1 1/2 cup corn flake crumbs; mix well. Spoon into prepared mold.
• Bake in preheated oven until puffed and lightly browned, abut 1 hour. Remove from oven; let stand 30 minutes before inverting onto serving platter.

ROSALYNN CARTER'S CHEESE RING

Steps:

• Combine cheese with mayo, chopped nuts and onions.
• Mix in black pepper and cayenne, and blend thoroughly.
• Press into a 3-cup ring mold.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• To serve, dip mold into a pan of hot water for 15-20 seconds before turning out onto a serving platter. Fill center with strawberry preserves. Serve with crackers of your choice.

MARINATED OLIVE & CHEESE RING

Steps:

• Cut cream cheese lengthwise in half; cut each half into 1/4-in. slices. On a serving plate, arrange cheeses upright in a ring, alternating cheddar and cream cheese slices. Place olives in center., In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, oil, parsley, basil and garlic until blended; drizzle over cheeses and olives. Sprinkle with pimientos. Refrigerate, covered, at least 8 hours or overnight. Serve with baguette slices.

CHEDDAR PECAN CHEESE RING WITH STRAWBERRY PRESERVES

Steps:

• Lightly toast the pecans in the oven at 350 degrees or in a dry skillet over medium heat. Let cool. Set aside 2 tablespoons of pecans for garnish.
• Grate the cheese with a box grater or food processor. Finely grate the onion.
• Put all ingredients (except strawberry preserves) in a medium mixing bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined.
• Turn the mixture out onto a board or serving plate. Using your hands, shape into a ring. Place preserves in the center of the ring. Sprinkle with the reserved pecans.
• Serve with assorted crackers.May be made ahead and refrigerated. Keeps well for a few days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.

FESTIVE CHEESE RING

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients with mixer on LOW, just until combined.
• Spray mold with oil and put pecans in bottom evenly.
• Put cheese mixture in and press down firmly to pack.
• Refrigerate over night to let flavors marry.
• Unmold and put jam/preserves in center of ring.
• Serve with crispy wheat or grain crackers. We prefer Wheat Thins!

MAC & CHEESE RING

Steps:

• Mac 'n' Cheese:.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 12 cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Coat pan with bread crumbs as if flouring the pan.
• In a dutch oven melt butter over medium high heat. Once the butter has melted whisk in the flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until there are no lumps. Whisk in both cheeses.
• Once the mixture is smooth turn off the heat and stir in the cooked pasta and bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stirring quickly add the eggs being sure not to let them scramble.
• Spoon the mixture in the prepared bundt pan. Use a spatula to press the pasta down to create an even layer. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top and bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
• Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to loosen the sides of the pan before removing.
• Serve with cheese sauce and garnish with crumbled bacon and chives.
• Cheese sauce:.
• Bring the half and half to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cheese in small handfuls and whisk until smooth.