Nutty Pimiento Cheese Balls

These bite-size pimiento cheese balls from Jamie and Bobby Deen are a huge hit with kids (of all ages). They’re the perfect appetizer to bring to a summer picnic. Jamie and Bobby share a passion for great home-cooked food with a Southern flair with their celebrity-chef mom, Paula Deen. These brothers are following in their mom’s footsteps with their own TV shows, books and website. Our favorite part of what they’re up to: healthy makeovers of some of Paula’s recipes!

Ingredients

• 2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, Neufchâtel, softened; generous 1/4 cup
• 8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, about 2 cups
• 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded, about 2 cups
• 3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons pimentos, chopped, drained
• 1 teaspoon onion, grated
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper, freshly ground
• 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Process cream cheese in a food processor until smooth. Add Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mayonnaise, pimientos, onion, garlic powder, salt and pepper and pulse to combine. Scrape into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
2. Place pecans in a medium bowl. Roll the cheese mixture into 1-inch balls and coat each ball evenly with pecans.
3. Serve the cheese balls at room temperature or chilled.