Kamil Perry
Pimento cheese is a popular Southern dish that is easy to make and can be served as a spread, dip, or relish. It is made with a few fundamental ingredients: cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise. The cheese is typically shredded cheddar, although some recipes call for cream cheese or Colby Jack. The pimentos add a hint of sweetness, while the mayonnaise brings creaminess to the dish. Various seasonings can be added to enhance the flavour, such as garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce. Pimento cheese can be served in a variety of ways, including on crackers, vegetables, or bread, and is a versatile dish that can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, mayonnaise, cream cheese, green onions, garlic powder, paprika, hot sauce, salt, black pepper |
| Consistency | Creamy, spreadable, chunky |
| Taste | Tangy, peppery, spicy (optional), rich |
| Preparation | Grate cheese, mix ingredients, season to taste |
| Serving suggestions | Crackers, vegetables, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, grits, quesadillas, deviled eggs, grilled sandwiches |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
You can also experiment with different types of cheese to add extra sharpness or creaminess to your pimento cheese. Some recipes suggest swapping half of the cheddar for white cheddar, extra-sharp cheddar, smoked cheddar, or gouda. Others recommend adding blue cheese for extra sharpness, which melts perfectly in a toasted pimento cheese sandwich. If you are unable to consume cow's milk dairy, you can substitute with goat chevre and English goat cheddar, which also taste great.
The type of mayonnaise you use is also important. Many Southerners insist on using Duke's Mayonnaise, which is made with egg yolks and no added sugars. However, you can use any type of mayonnaise you prefer or have on hand.
Finally, while not a cheese, cream cheese is often added to pimento cheese. It enhances the cheddar flavour and ensures that the spread is tangy and creamy. Not all recipes include cream cheese, but some believe it just doesn't taste right without it.
Goat Cheese Magic: Blue Mold Transformation
You may want to see also
Preparing the pimentos
When preparing the pimentos, it is recommended to use jarred pimentos rather than pre-diced ones. This allows for better control over the size and consistency of the dices. The jarred pimentos should be sliced or diced into small pieces. The size of the dices can vary depending on personal preference, but smaller pieces will integrate better with the cheese mixture, resulting in a smoother spread. It is important to note that the pimentos should be diced before adding them to the cheese mixture.
While some recipes call for roasted red peppers, piquillo peppers, or pickled peppadews as substitutes, these alternatives will impart a slightly different flavour profile to the final product. If a spicier pimento cheese is desired, additional ingredients such as jalapeños or cayenne pepper can be added. However, traditional pimento cheese does not include these spicy elements and relies solely on the sweetness of the pimentos to balance the sharpness of the cheese.
After dicing the pimentos, they are ready to be combined with the other ingredients. It is essential to ensure that the pimentos are thoroughly mixed with the cheese, mayonnaise, and any desired seasonings. A food processor can be used to achieve a smoother, more cohesive texture, but it is not necessary if a chunkier consistency is preferred. The key is to mix until the ingredients are well combined and the pimentos are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Velveeta Cheese: A Closer Look at Its Ingredients
You may want to see also
Mixing the ingredients
To begin the mixing process, it is advisable to have all the ingredients measured out and prepared as specified in the recipe. For instance, the cheese should be grated, and the pimentos should be diced or chopped. This ensures that the mixing process is efficient and straightforward. It is also worth noting that some recipes recommend pulsing the pimentos in a food processor before adding them to the cheese mixture to achieve a smoother consistency.
Once the ingredients are ready, it's time to combine them in a large mixing bowl. Start with the cheese and pimentos, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Then, add the creamy binder, typically mayonnaise or cream cheese, in a sufficient quantity to bind the mixture together. At this stage, you can also incorporate additional ingredients like hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or spices to enhance the flavour profile.
The mixing process itself can be done by hand or with a spatula, ensuring that all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. It is important to mix gently yet thoroughly to avoid overworking the mixture, which can affect its texture. The goal is to achieve a cohesive blend where the colours of the pimentos speckle the cheese, creating a visually appealing spread.
Finally, taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed. This is a crucial step as it allows you to personalise the flavour to your liking. You can add salt and black pepper to enhance the savouriness or include spices like cayenne pepper or paprika for an extra kick. Some recipes also suggest adding garlic powder for a subtle pungent note.
Yancey's Fancy Cheese: A Taste of New York State
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Adding seasoning
Pimento cheese is a popular Southern dish that is often served as a spread or dip with crackers or vegetables, or as a sandwich filling. It is made with a base of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos, with additional seasonings to taste.
The type of cheese used is typically cheddar, and it is recommended to opt for a good-quality sharp or extra-sharp variety. The cheese should be grated by hand using a box grater for the best texture and flavour. Some recipes also include cream cheese, which enhances the flavour and ensures the spread is tangy and creamy.
The pimentos can be purchased jarred and sliced, or pre-diced, and then further diced at home. The pimentos give the spread its signature red flecks and a sweet, aromatic flavour.
When it comes to seasoning, pimento cheese can be customised to your taste preferences. A pinch of salt and black pepper is a standard addition, but you can also include garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, or hot sauce for extra heat. For a pop of freshness, you can add green onions, or alternatively use red onions, shallots, chives, or a pinch of onion powder.
Some recipes include additional ingredients such as jalapeños, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, or dill pickles, but these are not part of the classic combination.
The Art of Making Jack Cheese: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Serving suggestions
Pimento cheese is a popular Southern spread that's traditionally made with shredded Cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimentos. It's commonly served with crackers and vegetables or as a sandwich filling.
- Pimento cheese is a great addition to sandwiches, especially grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also serve it as a spread between two slices of bread, sliced into tea sandwiches for a party.
- For a more substantial sandwich, add sliced cucumber (or dill pickles), tomato, sprouts, arugula, or even a fried egg.
- Pimento cheese is commonly served with crackers, crudités, and vegetables like bell peppers, cucumber, or celery.
- It can also be served as a dip with tortilla chips or corn chips like Fritos.
- Add a dollop of pimento cheese to mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or on top of a burger.
- Mix it into mac and cheese or grits.
- Use it as a filling for quesadillas.
Kiri Cheese: Ingredients and Creamy Texture Secrets
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The three fundamental ingredients for pimento cheese are cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise. The cheese is typically sharp or extra-sharp cheddar, grated by hand or with a food processor. Some recipes also include cream cheese, green onions, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, jalapeños, onions, or dill pickles.
The process for making pimento cheese is very simple. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and stir until they are well combined. Some recipes recommend using an electric hand mixer to make the mixture light and fluffy. You can serve the pimento cheese immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days or three months, depending on the recipe.
Pimento cheese is typically served as a spread or dip with crackers, vegetables, or bread. It can also be used as a sandwich spread, burger topping, or filling for deviled eggs or baked potatoes.
