Key Points

• Rosalynn Carter’s “Plains Special” is a simple, shareable six-ingredient cheese ring recipe.
• The recipe is customizable, allowing you to choose your preferred cheese, nuts and optional preserves.
• This retro-inspired dish is perfect as an appetizer or paired with other Southern-style favorites.

Rosalynn Carter may be best known for her decades of public service—from campaigning for national mental health legislation to fighting to pass the Equal Rights Amendment—but the former first lady also leaves behind a legacy of delicious Southern cooking.

According to a post on X by the U.S. National Archives, one of Carter’s favorite recipes was an easy, six-ingredient appetizer. Aptly named the “Plains Special” after Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, this recipe reimagines the classic cheese ball into a festive cheese ring—strawberry preserves optional.

Here's another #RosalynnCarter favorite - the "Plains Special" Cheese Ring! (strawberries optional this time).https://t.co/JH508WYzKm pic.twitter.com/KUl3Am45wn

— U.S. National Archives (@USNatArchives) November 21, 2023

In the recipe, Carter recommends serving the shareable dish with crackers, but it could also be served alongside an entree at the dinner table. The recipe is made up of only six ingredients: a sharp cheese, chopped nuts, mayo, onion, black pepper, cayenne and the optional strawberry preserves to place in the middle.

A great thing about this recipe is that it leaves multiple elements up to your preference—calling for a nonspecific sharp cheese and nut. Unfortunately, we’d have to guess at which type of cheese or nut was Carter’s favorite, but you’re free to pick and choose exactly how you enjoy this dish.

Start with grating your pound of cheese and small onion, then combine with the rest of your ingredients (except for the strawberry preserves, if you choose to include them). Carter does not recommend following a specific order when mixing, but we imagine that everything will combine nicely no matter what.

Once everything is mixed together, it’s time for the fun part! Use your hands to mold your cheese into a ring and make sure to refrigerate until firm—this will take five to six hours, but letting it chill overnight could be a smart move. If you do decide to spice it up with the strawberry preserves, add them into the center of your ring just before serving.

And just like that, you’re ready to enjoy one of the former first lady’s favorites! Despite the recipe’s retro feel, sharing a dish made with love will always be a timeless experience.

So the next time you need a quick and easy appetizer, honor the Carters with this cheese ring. We think it would pair particularly well with other Southern-inspired shareables like our black-eyed peas or our some soft green beans. Need some more appetizer ideas to remind you of down South eats? Here are a few of our favorites: