Patrick Oconnell
Pimento cheese sandwiches are a popular Southern dish, often served with crackers and vegetables or as a sandwich filling. The pimento cheese is made with a mix of cheeses, mayonnaise, and pimentos, and can be customized with various spices and seasonings. When making a grilled pimento cheese sandwich, the pimento cheese is spread between two slices of bread and grilled to perfection. Some popular additions to the sandwich include ham, homemade pickles, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and arugula.
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What You'll Learn
Pimento cheese sandwich with ham and homemade pickles
Ingredients
- Sliced bread (soft white, sourdough, or Pullman)
- Pimento cheese (store-bought or homemade)
- Mayonnaise
- Ham
- Homemade pickles
Optional Ingredients
- Cayenne
- Hot sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ground mustard
- Onions
- Blue cheese
- Jalapeños
- Cream cheese
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Steps
- Prepare the homemade pickles by tossing cucumbers with salt in a colander set over a bowl. Let it stand at room temperature for 1 hour, then discard the liquid released by the cucumbers.
- Place fresh dill, peppercorns, dill seeds, mustard seeds, vinegar, sugar, and garlic in a cheesecloth and tie it together. Put this spice bag in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, then add the cucumbers. Cook until the cucumbers turn dark green, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, add ice, and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
- If making your own pimento cheese, melt mayonnaise in a skillet and add grated onion, ground mustard, and cayenne. Then, add shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese and mix until well combined. You can also add cream cheese, jarred pimentos, and seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Spread pimento cheese on one slice of bread, add ham and homemade pickles, then top with another slice of bread.
- Spread mayonnaise on the top and bottom of the sandwich.
- Cook the sandwich on the heated skillet or griddle for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and the cheese is melted.
- Transfer the sandwich to a cooling rack and let it rest for 1-2 minutes before cutting and serving.
Tips
- If you want to add some spice to your sandwich, include jalapeños in your pimento cheese spread.
- For extra sharpness, add some blue cheese to your pimento cheese.
- If you prefer your pickles on the crunchier side, slice the cucumbers before cooking them in vinegar and then rapidly cool them with ice cubes.
- To make the sandwich even more indulgent, spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread instead of butter before grilling.
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Using mayonnaise instead of butter
Mayonnaise is a key ingredient in pimento cheese, giving it a silky texture and some extra flavour. But did you know that it can also be used instead of butter when making a grilled pimento cheese sandwich?
Using mayonnaise on the outside of the bread instead of butter may sound odd, but it has several benefits. Firstly, it spreads better on soft bread without tearing it. Secondly, it gives you a perfectly crispy sandwich without any greasiness. Thirdly, it adds extra flavour to the sandwich. However, it is important to use a good-quality mayonnaise to achieve the best results. Duke's mayonnaise, for example, is a popular choice for pimento cheese sandwiches.
To make a grilled pimento cheese sandwich with mayonnaise, spread pimento cheese evenly over one slice of bread and top with a second slice. Then, thinly spread mayonnaise on the top and bottom of the sandwich. Place the sandwich on a heated skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
So, if you're looking for a new way to enjoy a pimento cheese sandwich, why not give mayonnaise a try instead of butter? It might just become your new favourite way to make this classic sandwich!
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Adding jalapeños for spice
Pimento cheese is a Southern staple and a popular spread for sandwiches. It is traditionally made with shredded cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimentos. However, if you're looking to add some spice to your pimento cheese sandwich, consider including jalapeños.
Jalapeños can be added to pimento cheese to create a fun and fiery twist on the classic. The amount of spice can be controlled by adjusting the number of jalapeños and whether or not to include their seeds. For a milder version, you can remove most of the seeds or even swap them out for sweet paprika. If you want more heat, you can add extra jalapeños and their seeds. The jalapeños are typically minced or finely diced and combined with softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. This mixture can then be spread onto bread and grilled to create a spicy pimento cheese sandwich.
The addition of jalapeños to pimento cheese has received positive reviews, with some people preferring it to store-bought or jarred pimento cheese. It can be served as a sandwich spread, stuffed into mini peppers, or melted on burgers or veggie burgers. It is also delicious as a dip with crackers and vegetables.
If you're a fan of spice, adding jalapeños to your pimento cheese sandwich is a great way to bring some heat. However, if you're sensitive to spice, you can always omit the jalapeños and add a bit more cayenne pepper for a milder kick.
Overall, the jalapeño pimento cheese sandwich is a fun and flavorful variation that can be tailored to your preferred spice level. It's a great option for those who enjoy a spicy kick to their grilled cheese sandwiches.
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Serving with crackers and vegetables
Pimento cheese is a Southern staple, commonly served with crackers and vegetables or as a sandwich filling. When serving with crackers, it is recommended to stick to simple, neutral-flavoured crackers like Saltines, rather than artisanal, whole-grain crackers. Pimento cheese can be served on crackers as a spread or dip, or as part of a larger platter with vegetables.
When serving pimento cheese with vegetables, it is best to stick to simple, fresh vegetables that complement the flavour of the pimento cheese. Some suggested vegetables include celery, cucumber, bell peppers (any colour but green), and tomatoes. The vegetables can be cut into strips or slices, depending on preference.
For a more substantial snack or meal, pimento cheese can also be served with crackers and vegetables as part of a larger platter or board. This could include a variety of crackers, such as Saltines, pita chips, or seed crackers, and a selection of vegetables, such as those mentioned above. The pimento cheese could be served as a dip or spread for the crackers, or it could be used as a filling for small sandwiches or pita pockets.
In addition to crackers and vegetables, pimento cheese can also be served with other sides or toppings. Some suggested pairings include fried green tomatoes, a bowl of tomato soup, or a fried egg. For those who enjoy spicy food, jalapeños or other spicy peppers can be added to the pimento cheese or served on the side.
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Substituting piquillo peppers for pimentos
A pimento cheese sandwich is a classic, comforting meal that many people have fond memories of. The creamy, tangy, peppery, and spreadable pimento cheese is a delight between two slices of bread.
If you're looking to switch up this classic, you can try substituting piquillo peppers for pimentos. Piquillo peppers are a Spanish staple, known for their sweet and tangy flavour and mild heat. They are a popular ingredient in Spanish dishes and similar culinary applications. With a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating of 500 to 1000, they are hotter than pimentos, but offer a comparable sweetness and mild heat. Their distinct taste and texture seamlessly integrate into dishes that traditionally use pimento peppers.
When substituting piquillo peppers for pimentos in a pimento cheese sandwich, you can expect a similar flavour profile with a subtle tangy twist. The piquillos will add extra pepper flavour and balance the richness of the cheese and mayonnaise.
To substitute, simply use the piquillo peppers in the same amount as you would use pimentos. You can also briefly warm grated onion, ground mustard, and cayenne in a portion of the mayonnaise to temper the onion's harshness and bloom the spices for a savoury, full-flavoured sandwich.
If you want to explore even more variations of the pimento cheese sandwich, you can try adding sliced cucumber, dill pickles, tomato, sprouts, arugula, or even a fried egg.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need pimento cheese, bread, and mayonnaise. For the pimento cheese, you will need shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, cream cheese, jarred pimentos, and spices and seasonings such as garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
You can add sliced cucumber, dill pickles, tomato, sprouts, arugula, and even a fried egg. For a grilled pimento cheese sandwich, you can spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread instead of butter.
Pimento cheese is commonly served with crackers or celery sticks. It can also be used as a dip or spread for sandwiches.
