Pimiento Cheese Spread or Cheese Ball

Ingredients:

1 lb extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/3 cup Hellman’s mayonnaise
1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded, membranes removed, rough chopped
4 oz. cream cheese
1/4 tsp Onion powder
1/4 tsp Garlic powder
4 oz jarred pimientos,  drained
2 tsp fresh lemon juice

salt/pepper
Tabasco to taste

Directions:

In bowl of food processor, combine mayonnaise, jalapeño, cream cheese, onion and garlic powders, pimientos and lemon juice until peppers are chopped fine and mixture is combined well. Add grated cheddar and pulse just until mixture is combined, being careful not to grind cheddar into a paste. Taste for heat and seasonings, adjust and pulse briefly.

Can be served as a spread at room temperature with sliced baguette, or chilled and formed into a cheese ball and rolled in chopped pecans or slivered almonds, or broken pretzel pieces. Decorate cheese ball festively with pimientos and parsley and enjoy with crackers and a relish tray for a cozy, nostalgic appetizer.