First Lady Rosalynn Carter was known for her Southern hospitality in the Georgia governor’s mansion, in the White House, and even at a cruising altitude of 30,000 feet. At her memorial service, her grandson Jason Carter told the story of a family trip that involved pimento cheese in the back of one of Delta’s planes. Mrs. Carter brought a Tupperware of pimento cheese and a loaf of bread. She made each of the grandchildren a sandwich and then served others on the plane with what she had left. If that’s not the epitome of a Southern woman, I don’t know what is.
The National Archives published her famous cheese ring recipe. The sweet strawberry preserves and the bite from the grated onions are matched perfectly. Of all the times I have made her historic recipe, I have literally never had even a tablespoon left over. Mrs. Carter made her version in a ring mold, but I love the scalloped look that a brioche mold creates.
“Plains Special” Cheese Ring
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 small white onion
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ⅙ tsp cayenne pepper
- High-quality strawberry preserves
- Crackers
Instructions
- Grate the cheddar using the large holes of a box grater. Grate the onion using the large holes of a box grater (you should have about ½ cup grated onion). Place the cheddar, onion, pecans, mayonnaise, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
- Line a 5-cup brioche mold with plastic wrap. Wrap a small juice glass in plastic wrap. Lightly spray the inside of the mold and the outside of the glass with nonstick cooking spray. Place the glass upside down in the middle of the brioche mold to create a ring. Fill the mold with the cheese mixture. Cover and chill for 8 hours. May be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- When ready to serve, unmold onto a platter and gently remove the juice glass. Fill the center of the ring with strawberry preserves before serving. Serve with crackers.
- Note: Don’t worry if you don’t own a brioche mold or ring mold for making a cheese ring. An easy substitution is a small, shallow mixing bowl with a small juice glass placed in the center.