Bushra Griffith
Pimiento cheese, also known as the caviar of the South, is a highly revered Southern delicacy. It is a simple yet versatile condiment that can be served in many ways, from the classic spread on crackers or bread to more creative recipes like pimiento cheese grits, sandwiches, or even stuffed celery sticks. Whether store-bought or homemade, pimiento cheese is a crowd-pleaser and can be served as an appetizer or a staple at gatherings and holidays in the South. Its simplicity and adaptability make it a beloved comfort food, allowing home cooks to get creative with their favourite recipes and ingredients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to serve | Traditionally, pimiento cheese is eaten as a spread on crackers or bread. It can also be served as a dip with celery sticks, or on toast, or used as a topping for burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and flatbreads. |
| Pimiento cheese can be added to potato hash browns, scrambled eggs, omelets, or used as a filling for stuffed peppers, mushrooms, or chicken breasts. | |
| It can be served as a side dish with celery sticks, crackers, or pretzel thins, or as an ingredient in a frittata, mac and cheese, or potato casserole. | |
| Pimiento cheese can be used as a spread on bagels, biscuits, or bruschetta, or mixed into scone dough or cornbread batter before baking. | |
| It can be served as a dip with bacon bits, or drizzled over tortilla chips to make nachos. | |
| Pimiento cheese can be used as a topping for mini burgers or sliders, or as a filling for deviled eggs or pinwheels. | |
| It can be used as a spread on a BLT sandwich or on grilled cheese sandwiches, or added to hamburgers, cheeseburgers, or chorizo burgers. | |
| Pimiento cheese can be served as a side dish with Saltine crackers, or used as an ingredient in a breakfast bake or casserole. | |
| It can be used as a spread on a tomato sandwich or a tortilla pizza, or mixed with bacon and green tomatoes to make a sandwich. | |
| Pimiento cheese can be served as a dip with pita chips, or used as an ingredient in broccoli macaroni and cheese, or grilled cheese sandwiches. | |
| It can be served as a side dish with whole-wheat flatbreads, or used as an ingredient in a salad or charcuterie board. |
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What You'll Learn
Serve with crackers, celery, or bread
Pimiento cheese is a popular and versatile dish that can be served in many ways. One simple way to serve it is with crackers, celery, or bread.
When it comes to crackers, it is recommended to stick to the classic Saltine crackers. Saltines are neutral in flavour and have a crispy texture that is perfect for spreading or scooping pimiento cheese. They are also sturdy enough that they won't completely crumble when you bite into them.
If you want to serve pimiento cheese with celery, one option is to stuff the pimiento cheese into celery sticks. This can be a refreshing and crunchy way to enjoy the cheese spread.
As for bread, pimiento cheese can be used as a sandwich filling. You can make a classic pimiento cheese sandwich with your favourite bread, either cold or grilled. Another option is to make pimiento cheese bruschetta by serving the spread on toasted bread with toppings. If you're feeling creative, you can even make pimiento cheese sliders by using the spread as a topping for mini burgers.
In addition to these options, pimiento cheese can also be served on the side, allowing people to spread it on crackers, celery, or bread as they please. This can be a great option for gatherings, as it accommodates different preferences and dietary needs.
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Use as a topping for burgers
Pimiento cheese is a popular topping for burgers in Columbia, South Carolina, where it is often called a "PC burger". The creamy, tangy, and spicy pimiento cheese is a perfect complement to the savoury beef patty, creating a juicy and flavourful burger.
To make the pimiento cheese, stir together shredded sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, diced pimentos, and spices such as cayenne pepper and paprika in a bowl. You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level.
When your burgers are almost done cooking, add a generous scoop of pimiento cheese to the top of each burger and cover the cooking surface for the last two minutes of cooking time. This will allow the cheese to melt slightly and become creamy and velvety.
To assemble the burger, place a leaf of lettuce on the bottom bun and top it with the patty. You can also add additional toppings such as tomato, red onion, and pickles. Finally, place the top bun, and serve immediately while the burger is still hot.
For an extra indulgent touch, you can butter the sandwich buns and grill them alongside the burgers for about a minute. This will give your pimiento cheese burger a slight crunch and added flavour.
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Bake into biscuits or cornbread
Pimiento cheese is a simple condiment made from mayonnaise, grated cheese, and jarred pimientos. It is often served as a spread on crackers or bread. However, you can also bake it into biscuits or cornbread.
Pimiento Cheese Biscuits
To make pimiento cheese biscuits, you can either mix the pimiento cheese into the biscuit dough or add it in small blobs. If you mix it in, be aware that the pimientos will add extra liquid to the dough, so you may need to add more flour to make the dough manageable. You can also pat or roll the dough out to 1/2-inch thick and use a biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits. Place the biscuits on a prepared pan, brush the tops with melted butter, and bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.
For the cheese, extra sharp Cheddar is a good option, as it pairs well with the peppers and spices. However, you can also substitute another cheese or use a combination of your favorites. As for the pimientos, it is best to use jarred pimientos, but you can also grill your own peppers for a smoky flavor. Just be sure to drain them well before adding them to the dough.
Pimiento Cheese Cornbread
To make pimiento cheese cornbread, you can start with your favorite cornbread recipe and simply add pimiento cheese to the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Then, add the egg, mayonnaise, buttermilk, and water, and stir until smooth. Finally, add the cheddar cheese and drained pimientos, reserving some to sprinkle on top.
To get a golden brown, crispy crust on your cornbread, preheat your cast iron skillet in the oven before pouring in the batter. Carefully remove the hot skillet, rotate it to coat the bottom with oil, and pour in the batter. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and pimientos on top and bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
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Mix with bacon for a dip
Pimiento cheese is a highly revered and popular delicacy in the South, often referred to as "the caviar of the South". It is usually eaten as a spread on crackers or bread but can be used in a variety of dishes, including sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, and dips.
Mixing pimiento cheese with bacon creates a delicious dip that is perfect for any gathering. This dip is a creamy, cheesy delight with bold flavours and a crispy texture from the bacon. It can be served with crackers, chips, bread, or even veggies.
Ingredients:
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or a pizza blend cheese)
- Pimiento peppers (or diced roasted red bell pepper as a substitute)
- Bacon pieces (pre-cooked bacon pieces can also be used)
- Mayonnaise (optional)
- Cream cheese (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Jalapeño peppers (optional)
- Scallions (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel to cool, then crumble or chop into small pieces.
- In a bowl, combine the shredded cheese, pimiento peppers, and any optional ingredients you wish to include. Stir until well combined.
- Add the bacon pieces to the cheese mixture and stir gently to incorporate.
- Transfer the mixture to a cast-iron skillet or baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Serve the dip directly from the skillet or dish with your choice of crackers, chips, bread, or veggies.
This dip is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and can be customised with additional ingredients like jalapeños or scallions to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy!
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Spread on bagels or sandwiches
Pimiento cheese is a versatile spread that can be used to elevate a variety of dishes, including sandwiches and bagels.
For a simple yet satisfying option, spread pimiento cheese on your favourite type of bagel. You can toast the bagel or enjoy it fresh, and add toppings such as sliced tomatoes, ham, or arugula to create a more substantial meal.
If you're looking for a heartier option, try a pimiento cheese sandwich. This classic combination is a staple at gatherings and events in the Southern US. You can keep it traditional with soft, squishy white bread, or mix it up with a crusty baguette, potato roll, or artisanal whole-grain bread. For an extra indulgent twist, grill your sandwich until the pimiento cheese is melted and oozing.
To add some crunch to your sandwich, toast or grill your bread of choice before spreading on the pimiento cheese. Top with sliced tomatoes, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and your favourite sandwich toppings. You can also experiment with different types of bread, such as a baguette, potato roll, or whole-grain loaf, to find your preferred texture and flavour combination.
For a more portable option, try spreading pimiento cheese on a bagel and topping it with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, or your favourite sandwich toppings. This creates a convenient and tasty meal that's perfect for breakfast on the go or a quick lunch.
Whether you choose to spread it on a bagel or sandwich, pimiento cheese is a delicious and versatile option that can be tailored to your taste preferences. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour make it a perfect addition to a variety of dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Pimiento cheese is a popular spread that can be served with crackers, bread, or veggies. It is traditionally served with Saltine crackers, but you can also use it as a spread on sandwiches, wraps, or even in dips.
Pimiento cheese is a versatile spread that can be used in a variety of dishes. Some creative ways to serve it include pimiento cheese stuffed celery sticks, pimiento cheese deviled eggs, pimiento cheese sliders, pimiento cheese potato skins, pimiento cheese frittata, pimiento cheese bruschetta, and pimiento cheese nachos.
To make really good pimiento cheese, it is recommended to use a sharp cheddar cheese. It is also important to grate the cheese yourself to ensure freshness.
Pimiento cheese is a great appetizer and can be served with a variety of meats, crackers, breads, vegetables, and jellies. It is a popular dish in the Southern US and is often served at gatherings and holidays.
