Pimiento Cheese Balls

A Southern favorite pimiento cheese. This homemade pimiento mini cheese ball gives you the tang you love from the classic pimiento cheese. Perfect size for serving appetizers.

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1 cup softened cream cheese

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

¼ tsp. black pepper

⅛ tsp. kosher salt

⅛ tsp. garlic powder

1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimientos

1 ¼ cups finely chopped toasted pecans

¼ cup finely chopped fresh chives

Small square crackers

Process Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder in a food processor until combined, about 15 seconds. Add pimientos, and pulse until evenly distributed and slightly chopped, 6 to 8 pulses.

Transfer cheese mixture to a medium bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.

Sprinkle pecans and chives on a large baking sheet in an even layer. Scoop out cheese mixture using a 2-teaspoon cookie scoop; roll in your hands to create a ball. Roll cheese balls, 1 at a time, in pecan mixture to coat evenly. This will yield about 36 mini balls.

Transfer to a platter; insert small square crackers into cheese balls, if desired. Serve with additional crackers.

A Southern Living Recipe found here

Picture Credit JAMES RANSOM, PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY, FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN

Yum

Sometimes I can make a meal out of an appetizer.

I like serving them to my family for special occasions such as New Year's Eve, Superbowl, or just a simple movie night at home.

I also enjoy serving appetizers at a party on a buffet table. Especially when I am not preparing a meal for my quest.

Here are a few other recipes.