Charleston cheese ball recipe

Pineapples have long symbolized Southern hospitality, but especially so in the sultry port city of Charleston, South Carolina. Its centuries-long business ties to the West Indies are reflected in its culinary history of serving tropically flavored—if not daringly bold—chutneys and curries to well-heeled, well-traveled people. Beau Monde, the Spice Islands brand’s legendary seasoning, is an heirloom-exotic blend of salt, celery, and onion with an underlying sweetness (think cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and mace). You can tweak this cheese ball recipe any number of ways by using different cheeses, crumbled bacon, plumped golden raisins, or dried cranberries . . . you get the idea. Serve with hearty crackers.