Andy Montoya
Pimento cheese is a tangy, creamy cheese spread with pimento peppers that can be served in a variety of ways as an appetizer. It can be used as a dip with crackers, chips, or veggies, or as a spread on grilled cheese, burgers, or sandwiches. For a more substantial appetizer, pimento cheese can be stuffed into celery sticks, zucchini boats, mushrooms, or mini peppers. It can also be used as a topping for phyllo cups, tostada shells, or flatbreads. When served as an appetizer, pimento cheese is often garnished with bacon bits, chives, or green onions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Appetizer |
| Preparation Time | 20 minutes |
| Ingredients | Pimento cheese, phyllo cups, red pepper jelly, pecans, bacon bits, green onions, parsley, bread, crackers, tortilla, cream cheese, green onions, flour tortillas, plastic wrap, foil, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, black pepper, scallions, fresh dill, cheddar cheese, white cheddar, extra-sharp cheddar, smoked cheddar, gouda, piquillo peppers, roasted red peppers, pickled peppadews, jalapenos, hot sauce |
| Preparation Method | Bake, spread, toast, grill, chill, cut, mix, divide, roll, wrap, stuff, fry, stir, drizzle, fill, top |
| Serving Temperature | Warm, cold |
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What You'll Learn
Pimento cheese pinwheels
Ingredients:
- Softened cream cheese
- Pimento cheese (store-bought or homemade)
- Green onions (optional)
- Flour tortillas (burrito-size)
Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, pimento cheese, and green onions (if using). You can mix this filling with a wooden spoon or a hand mixer until it is well combined. Next, take your flour tortillas and divide the mixture between them, spreading it evenly and leaving about a 1/4 to 1/2-inch border around the edge of each. Roll up each tortilla tightly and wrap them securely in plastic wrap or foil. Chill the rolled-up tortillas in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or even overnight. When you are ready to serve, simply unwrap the tortillas and cut them into slices of your desired thickness. You can garnish the pinwheels with diced green onions if you wish.
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Pimento cheese bites
Ingredients
- Phyllo cups
- Pimento cheese (store-bought or homemade)
- Red pepper jelly (sweet and slightly spicy)
- Pecans or bacon bits (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the phyllo cups on a baking sheet.
- Spoon pimento cheese into each cup, filling them generously.
- Top the cheese with a small dollop of red pepper jelly. For extra crunch, add a few pecans or bacon bits on top.
- Bake in the oven for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The phyllo cups should be slightly browned for that perfect crispy texture.
- Remove from the oven and let the bites cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
These pimento cheese bites are best served warm and fresh out of the oven. They are the perfect bite-sized treats that your guests will surely enjoy. For a more substantial appetizer, you can also try making pimento cheese pinwheels by spreading the cheese mixture on tortillas, rolling them up, and slicing them into pieces.
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Pimento cheese dip
Pimento cheese is a tangy, creamy cheese spread with pimento peppers. It is a Southern classic and can be used as a dip or a spread. Here are some ways to serve pimento cheese as an appetizer:
Pimento Cheese Phyllo Cups
These pimento cheese appetizers are super simple to put together. You can use homemade pimento cheese or a good-quality store-bought variety and fill phyllo cups with the cheese. Top with bacon bits and garnish before serving warm.
Pimento Cheese Pinwheels
Pimento cheese pinwheels are another easy and delicious appetizer option. Combine softened cream cheese, pimento cheese, and green onions in a large bowl. Spread the mixture on flour tortillas, leaving a 1/4 to 1/2-inch border. Roll up the tortillas tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. Cut into slices before serving.
Pimento Cheese Bites
Pimento cheese bites are a combination of sweet and savory flavors. Fill phyllo cups with pimento cheese and top with sweet and slightly spicy red pepper jelly. You can also add a pecan piece to each cup for some extra crunch. Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Pimento Cheese Crostini
Spread pimento cheese on toasted baguette slices for a simple and tasty appetizer.
Pimento Cheese Bruschetta
Similar to crostini, pimento cheese bruschetta is made by serving the cheese on toasted bread with toppings.
There are many other creative ways to serve pimento cheese as an appetizer, including pimento cheese sliders, stuffed mushrooms, and empanadas. Get creative and enjoy this delicious Southern treat!
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Pimento cheese crostini
Pimiento cheese crostini is a classic snack around the South and a great appetizer to serve at your next party. It is super simple to put together and will be the first thing to go at any gathering. Here is a step-by-step guide to making pimiento cheese crostini:
Ingredients:
- Bread (baguette)
- Pimiento cheese (store-bought or homemade)
- Bacon
- Onion
- Mayonnaise
- Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Oil
- Broth
- Vinegar
- Sugar
- Seasonings
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Place the bread slices on a baking sheet and bake for 4-6 minutes or until lightly browned.
- While the bread is toasting, prepare the pimiento cheese mixture. In a mixer fitted with a paddle, combine white and orange cheddar cheeses. Add the chopped pimientos, mayonnaise, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to taste. Blend at low speed until well combined.
- If you have time, you can make the cheese mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to three days.
- In a separate skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 4-6 minutes until softened.
- To the onions, add broth, vinegar, sugar, and seasonings. Reduce the heat and cook until the liquid is evaporated, stirring occasionally.
- Spread a tablespoon of the pimiento cheese mixture on each toasted baguette slice.
- Top each crostini with a teaspoon of the onion mixture.
- Sprinkle with bacon bits.
- Bake for another 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
You can get creative and garnish your pimiento cheese crostini with additional toppings like chives, parsley, or green onions. These appetizers are sure to be a hit at your next gathering!
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Pimento cheese on crackers
Pimento cheese is a popular appetizer and can be served in a variety of ways. One simple way to serve it is on crackers. While you can make your own pimento cheese crackers, it is also common to spread pimento cheese on crackers as an appetizer.
To make your own pimento cheese crackers, you will need pimento cheese, butter, flour, and salt. Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix until smooth. Refrigerate for at least two hours to let the dough firm up. Then, roll out the dough and cut it into cracker shapes. Bake the crackers until they are golden brown and let them cool before serving. You can also top the crackers with additional pimento cheese, bacon, or other toppings.
If you prefer to spread pimento cheese on crackers, there are a variety of crackers that pair well with pimento cheese. One option is to use simple, neutral-flavored crackers like Saltines. These crackers are crispy and salty, which makes them a good base for the pimento cheese. You can also use other types of crackers, such as water crackers, whole-wheat flatbreads, or pita chips. However, it is generally recommended to avoid using fancy or strongly flavored crackers, as these can overpower the taste of the pimento cheese.
In addition to crackers, there are several other ways to serve pimento cheese as an appetizer. You can spread it on toasted bread or gluten-free bread and top it with additional pimentos and chives. You can also make pimento cheese pinwheels by mixing pimento cheese with cream cheese and green onions, spreading the mixture on tortillas, rolling them up, and slicing them into individual pieces. Another option is to make phyllo cups by spooning pimento cheese into phyllo cups, baking them, and sprinkling them with bacon bits.
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