Second Place, Emily Taylor of St. Clair County, PIMENTO CHEESE & BACON - Alabama Farmers Federation

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 1⁄2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 8 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 (4 oz.) jar of pimentos, drained
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 18 oz. cooked-until-crisp bacon, finely diced, or 1 1/2 cups bacon bits
• 1 1/2 cups pecans, toasted and finely chopped
• 1/2 to 1 jalapeno, minced (seeds and membranes removed)