Pho 101

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Put Crisco into a mixer bowl. Add cheese gradually, beating at medium speed until mixture is fairly smooth. Blend flour, salt, and pepper. Gradually add to cheese mixture, mixing at low speed. Stir in cereal with spoon. Shape into balls, using 1 tablespoon for each ball.
Arrange balls on ungreased cookie sheets. Lightly press with a fork to make a crisscross pattern. Dip fork in flour as needed to prevent sticking. Press a pecan half onto top of each, if desired.
Bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool for 10 to 12 minutes on cookied sheet, then remove to a rack to cool.

Drain clams, reserving 1/4 cup juice.
Combine flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, and pepper. Stir in clams and chopped onion. Combine clam juice and egg. Add to flour mixture and stir until well blended.
Heat Crisco to 365ºF in a deep saucepan or deep fryer. Drop level tablespoons of clam mixture into hot Crisco. (Do not use fryer basket.) Fry several fritters at a time for 3-1/2 minutes or until browned. Drain on paper towels.
Serve with lemon wedges and Tartar Sauce.