italian cheese balls

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup dried bread crumbs
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup eggs, beaten
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup tomato juice
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Recipe

• in a large bowl, mix together pecans, bread crumbs, cheese, eggs, and onion. shape into golf ball size balls.
• heat oil in an electric deep fryer or heavy saucepan to 365 degrees f ( 170 degrees c). add cheese balls to hot oil, and fry until brown. fry in batches to maintain oil temperature. transfer to an 8 inch square baking pan.
• in a medium bowl, mix together tomato juice, tomato soup, and cumin. cover cheese balls with sauce. sprinkle additional cheese on top, if desired.
• bake at 350 degrees f (175 degrees c) for 15 minutes.