Knott Yo Grandma’s Fried Cheese Balls

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Ingredients

• 1 container of either Knott Yo Grandma’s Classic Pimiento Cheese or Knott Yo Grandma’s Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese
• ⅔ cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• Vegetable or canola oil for frying
• 12 oz of fresh cranberrie
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup of white sugar
• zest of one orange
• ½ tablespoon of apple cider
• 1 teaspoon of ginger
• 1 teaspoon of cardamom
• pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Scoop out 1 tablespoon-sized balls of Knott Yo Grandma’s Pimiento Cheese and place on the baking sheet.
3. Freeze pimiento cheese balls for 30-60 minutes.
4. When ready to fry heat 2-3 inches of oil in a saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. You want the oil to be around 325 degrees.
5. Place three bowls in an assembly line. Fill with the flour, eggs and panko respectively.
6. When the oil is hot, remove the cheese balls from the fridge.
7. Dip the balls in the flour first, then the eggs, then the breadcrumbs. Depending on your pan size, you can fry 3-4 at a time without dropping the oil temperature. Fry each for about 2 minutes, rotating, until they are golden brown.
8. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
9. Serve immediately with ranch dressing or cranberry sauce (homemade option below).
10. For Cranberry Sauce:
11. Heat 12 oz of fresh cranberries, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup of white sugar, zest of one orange, ½ of apple cider, 1 teaspoon of ginger, 1 teaspoon of cardamom and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat.
12. Cook until bubbly and the cranberries start to burst. Stir frequently.
13. Make a slurry of 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cider or water.
14. Add to cranberries and stir.
15. Cook for a few more minutes, smashing some of the cranberries. Stir frequently.
16. Remove from heat. Allow to cool before refrigerating.