Andy Montoya
Pimento cheese is a delicious, tangy, creamy, and spreadable cheese spread with a peppery kick. It is a Southern classic and is often served as a sandwich filling or as a dip with crackers or celery. The basic recipe includes a few simple ingredients: grated cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos (also known as pimientos). However, there are many variations and additional ingredients that can be added to the base recipe, such as cream cheese, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, jalapeños, and onions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Creamy, Spreadable, and chunky |
| Taste | Tangy, peppery, and spicy |
| Ingredients | Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimento peppers, cream cheese, jalapeño, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, hot sauce, paprika, onions, garlic |
| Serving suggestions | Crackers, celery, corn chips, tortilla chips, sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs, crudité, buttermilk biscuit, and vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
Pimento cheese spread ingredients
Pimento cheese spread is a tangy, creamy, cheesy, and peppery spread that is usually served with crackers, celery, or vegetables, or as a sandwich filling. It is also used as a topping for hamburgers or hotdogs, or as a dip for corn chips or tortilla chips.
The basic pimento cheese recipe includes a few simple ingredients mixed into a chunky paste. The main ingredients are grated cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos (also known as pimientos). Pimentos are a variety of chili pepper that is more fragrant than a typical bell pepper. They are sweet and not spicy.
There are many variations of the pimento cheese spread, and the seasonings change from chef to chef. Some recipes include cream cheese, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, onions, and garlic. For those who like it spicy, jalapeños or red pepper flakes can be added.
Some people prefer to grate their cheese by hand to avoid pre-shredded cheese, which is coated in powder that can mute the flavor and interfere with the texture. Additionally, some recipes substitute piquillo peppers, roasted red peppers, or pickled peppadews for the pimentos.
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Cheddar cheese
Pimento cheese is a Southern dish that is often served as a spread on crackers, celery, or sandwiches. It is made with a combination of cheeses, mayonnaise, and pimento peppers. The cheese used in pimento cheese is typically cheddar, although some recipes call for a mix of cheeses, including extra-sharp cheddar, smoked cheddar, white cheddar, or Gouda.
The quality of the cheddar cheese is also important, as a good-quality cheese will enhance the overall taste of the pimento cheese spread. It is best to grate the cheese by hand using a box grater with large holes. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in powder, which can mute the flavour and affect the creamy texture of the final product.
Additionally, some recipes suggest using a combination of cheddar cheese and cream cheese to add a tangy, creamy dimension to the spread. The cream cheese enhances the flavour of the cheddar and ensures that the pimento cheese is spreadable. However, traditional Southern pimento cheese recipes typically do not include cream cheese, as some believe it takes away from the prominence of the cheddar flavour.
The combination of cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, and other seasonings creates a unique, tangy and peppery flavour profile that has made pimento cheese a beloved Southern delicacy.
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Cream cheese
The cream cheese used in pimento cheese is typically the packaged variety. Some sources suggest that the cream cheese is what makes the spread so tangy, while others attribute the tanginess to the pimentos.
Pimento cheese is a Southern dish, typically served as a spread on crackers or celery, or as a sandwich filling. It is made with a few simple ingredients, including grated cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos, mixed into a chunky paste. The addition of cream cheese is a matter of personal preference, as are other ingredients such as hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
Some people prefer their pimento cheese spread without cream cheese, as they feel it takes away from the concentrated cheesy flavour. However, others believe that the cream cheese enhances the flavour of the cheddar and makes the spread tangier and more spreadable. Ultimately, the inclusion of cream cheese in pimento cheese spread is a matter of personal preference and regional variation.
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Pimento peppers
Pimento cheese is a popular spread that is often associated with Southern cuisine. It is typically made with a combination of shredded cheddar or processed cheese, mayonnaise, and pimento peppers. The peppers, also known as pimientos, lend a tangy, peppery flavour to the spread. While pimento cheese is not inherently spicy, some recipes call for the addition of jalapeños or red pepper flakes to give it a kick.
In the late 1800s, pimento cheese was born out of a combination of newly manufactured American cream cheese, canned and imported Spanish pimentos, and the influence of "domestic scientists"—turn-of-the-century feminist homemakers who favoured canned goods for their convenience. The mixture of cream cheese and canned pimentos created a quick and appealing sandwich spread that soon became popular.
Over time, the recipe for pimento cheese evolved, and shredded cheese and mayonnaise were introduced, elevating the spread from a convenient option to a labour of love. Southern cooks adapted the recipe to use hoop cheese and mayonnaise, and the spread became especially popular in the South, where it was referred to as "the pâté of the South" or "Carolina caviar".
Today, pimento cheese remains a beloved Southern classic, often served as a spread on crackers, celery, or sandwiches, or used as a dip for chips or vegetables. It is a versatile and delicious addition to any meal, whether enjoyed as a simple snack or a party dip.
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Seasonings
Pimento cheese spread is a tangy, creamy, and cheesy delight that can be served as a dip or a sandwich filling. While the basic recipe calls for grated cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos, the spread's seasonings can be adjusted to suit individual preferences.
Spiciness
Pimento cheese is often described as tangy and peppery, with a slight kick from the pimentos. However, the level of spiciness can vary depending on the ingredients and personal preference. For those who enjoy a spicier spread, jalapeños, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce can be added to the mix. On the other hand, leaving out these ingredients or opting for milder peppers can create a milder, more subtle flavour.
Salt and Pepper
Salt and pepper are essential seasonings in pimento cheese, enhancing the flavour and adding a savoury note to the spread. Black pepper, in particular, is commonly used to add a bold, sharp taste. The amount of salt and pepper added can be adjusted to taste, ensuring the desired level of seasoning is achieved.
Garlic and Onion
Garlic powder and onion powder are commonly used seasonings in pimento cheese, adding depth of flavour and a subtle savoury note. Fresh garlic and onion can also be used, but the powder form ensures a smoother texture and more even distribution of flavour throughout the spread.
Herbs
While not as commonly used as other seasonings, herbs like dill or scallions can be added to pimento cheese for a fresh flavour profile. These herbs bring a bright, summery taste to the spread, complementing the creaminess of the cheese and the tanginess of the pimentos.
The versatility of pimento cheese lies in its ability to be customised to individual tastes. By adjusting the types and amounts of seasonings used, one can create a spread that ranges from mild and tangy to spicy and bold. Whether served as a dip or a sandwich filling, pimento cheese is a delicious and adaptable treat.
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Frequently asked questions
Pimento cheese spread is made of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and pimento peppers.
The most commonly used cheese in pimento cheese spread is cheddar cheese. However, some recipes suggest swapping half of the cheddar for white cheddar, extra-sharp cheddar, smoked cheddar, or gouda.
Pimento peppers are small red peppers that are not spicy. They are also known as pimiento peppers.
Some other common ingredients in pimento cheese spread include jalapeños, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and onions.
