By Stephanie Williams Dean

When serving spreads, bits or dips, you’ll miss the shot if you don’t include cheese.

Easy as 1-2-3 and snap, these hors d’oeuvres can be made in a flash and are sure to draw instant smiles.  A southern favorite, cheddar poses perfectly on a tidbit tray and is a tasty image when pictured with any sweet fruit.

CHEESE CRISP

WAFERS

1 lb. grated sharp

   cheddar cheese

2 sticks softened butter

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 cup chopped pecans

2 cups Rice Krispies cereal

In a mixer, combine all ingredients except cereal. Mix well until dough consistency. Mix in cereal slowly with mixer or by hand.

Pinch off small portions and form into 1 ½ inch balls. Place on cookie sheet and press down twice with fork, forming a criss-cross on top.

Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until bottoms begin to slightly brown.

CHEESE AND

OLIVE PUFFS

½ lb. grated, sharp

   cheddar cheese

1 stick softened butter

1 to 1 ¼ cups

   all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

Dash of red pepper

¼ tsp paprika

1 jar drained, medium

   olives stuffed with

   pimento or garlic

In a mixer, mix all ingredients except olives until dough consistency. Chill for 2 hours.

Pinch off small amount of dough to form 1 ½ ball and flatten.

Drain and dry olives on paper towel. Place olive in center of dough.

Wrap dough around olive completely and pinch together.

Place on cookie sheet and freeze at least 6 hours.

Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until browned.

Best served warm.

RING OF CHEESE WITH PRESERVES

1 lb. grated, sharp

   cheddar cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

1 small, minced onion

¼ tsp paprika

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

1 cup chopped pecans

1 small jar of strawberry

   or cherry preserves

Combine all ingredients in mixer and blend well.  Line a mold with plastic wrap to prevent sticking. Place cheese mixture in mold and chill overnight. Turn out on plate when ready to eat. Place small bowl in center of ring and fill with preserves.

TENNESSEE SIN DIP

1 loaf French bread

2 cups shredded sharp

   cheddar cheese

1 pkg softened

   cream cheese (8oz.)

1 ½ cups sour cream

½ cup chopped green onion

½ cup chopped ham

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

¼ cup chopped green chiles

Slice off top of bread loaf and hollow out inside (not too thin). Mix rest of ingredients. Pour into hollowed bread. Put sliced top back on bread and wrap in foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Use pieces of hollowed bread, crackers, and chips for dipping.