Randy Chandler
Pimento cheese is a spread made of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos, typically served on crackers, vegetables, or in sandwiches. Despite its association with Southern U.S. cuisine, particularly in states like North Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia, pimento cheese actually originated in the Northern United States in the early 20th century. Created through the combined efforts of Northern food manufacturers and cookbook writers from the \Domestic Science\ movement, pimento cheese was popularized across the country before becoming a staple in Southern states. Today, it is enjoyed in various forms, from grilled sandwiches to modern pan-Southern snacks, and is celebrated as an iconic symbol of Southern comfort food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Northern United States |
| Original Recipe | Canned Spanish pimentos, Neufchatel cheese, and diced pimento peppers |
| Current Popularity | The Southern United States |
| Current Recipe | Grated cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos |
| Variations | Horseradish, cream cheese, salt and pepper, Louisiana-style hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, jalapenos, onions, garlic |
| Use Cases | Sandwiches, stuffed quail, omelets, fried green tomatoes, baked with sausage and crackers, spread on a chilli burger, deviled eggs, cheeseburgers, biscuits, lasagna |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Pimento cheese is a Southern delicacy
The original recipe called for canned Spanish pimentos, which were expensive, so Southern farmers began growing pimentos to supply a cheaper alternative. Southern cooks adapted the recipe using hoop cheese and mayonnaise, and it became a staple in Southern kitchens. Pimento cheese was also a convenient and inexpensive way to feed troops and volunteers during World War I, contributing to its popularity.
Pimento cheese has become synonymous with Southern cuisine and is often referred to as the "pâté of the South." It is a versatile spread that can be enjoyed in various dishes, from sandwiches to biscuits, deviled eggs, cheeseburgers, and even baked into lasagna. It is a beloved comfort food in the South, with many Southerners having their own family recipes that they believe are superior to others.
While the exact origin of pimento cheese may be unclear, what is certain is that it has become an iconic part of Southern culture and cuisine. It is a simple yet delicious combination of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos that has stood the test of time and continues to be enjoyed by many.
Serving Cold Brie: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
It's made with cheese, mayo, and pimentos
Pimento cheese, also known as pimiento cheese, is a spread made with a base of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos. It is typically served on crackers, vegetables, or in sandwiches. While it is most closely associated with Southern US cuisine, pimento cheese actually originated in the Northern United States in the early 20th century.
The spread is believed to have been created by Northern food manufacturers and cookbook writers from the ""Domestic Science" movement, which emphasized scientific cooking and orderliness in the home. Cream cheese, a newly manufactured American product at the time, was combined with newly canned and imported Spanish pimento peppers to create a quick and appealing sandwich spread. This mixture of cream cheese and pimentos was also in line with the movement's preference for canned goods.
Over time, Southern cooks adapted the recipe by using hoop cheese and mayonnaise. Hoop cheese, or "rat" cheese, was widely available in Southern country stores. Mayonnaise was either homemade or store-bought, with brands like Hellmann's and Duke's gaining popularity in different regions of the South.
Pimento cheese became a staple in the South, showing up in sandwiches at family reunions, funerals, and other gatherings. It is often considered a comfort food and a symbol of Southern cuisine, earning nicknames like the "pâté of the South" and "Carolina caviar."
While the basic recipe includes grated cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos, there are many variations. Some recipes add cream cheese for a smoother and creamier texture, while others include enhancements such as onions, garlic, lemon juice, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or jalapenos.
The Perfect Pairing: Olives and Cheese Platter Ideas
You may want to see also
It's unclear if it was available in small country stores
Pimento cheese is a spread typically made with cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos, served on crackers, vegetables, or in sandwiches. It is most closely associated with Southern US cuisine, but its origins are unclear.
Some sources claim that pimento cheese was first created in the early 20th century in the Northern United States as a homemade snack spread. A 1908 recipe from Good Housekeeping included soft cream cheese and minced pimentos, and by 1910, commercial versions were available across the country. However, others suggest that its heritage may date back to the late 1800s in New York City, as a product of industrial food manufacturing and mass marketing.
Regardless of its Northern origins, pimento cheese became popular in the South, where it was initially sold in grocery stores and country stores. By the early 1900s, it was distributed to grocery stores across the country, starting in the Midwest. However, it is unclear if prepacked pimento cheese was available in most small country stores that served farming families. Southern cooks adapted the recipe using hoop cheese, which was widely available in Southern country stores, and mayonnaise.
Over time, pimento cheese became an iconic part of Southern cuisine, with variations in family recipes, commercial recipes, and regional versions. It is often associated with Southern hospitality and comfort food, and its popularity has spread beyond the Southern states, with chefs across the country incorporating it into their menus.
Cheese Serving: Daily Value and Nutritional Facts
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It's enjoyed in sandwiches, with crackers, or on vegetables
Pimento cheese is a simple condiment that is highly revered in the Southern United States. Although it originated in the North, it is generally most closely associated with Southern US cuisine.
Pimento cheese is a spread typically made of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos. It is enjoyed in sandwiches, with crackers, or on vegetables.
In terms of sandwiches, pimento cheese can be enjoyed in a basic sandwich, a grilled cheese sandwich, or a grilled pimento cheese sandwich with bacon. It can also be served on brioche bread. Pimento cheese can also be used as a filling in stuffed vegetables, such as green tomatoes, or in mac and cheese.
When it comes to crackers, pimento cheese can be enjoyed with a variety of options, including water crackers, rustic whole wheat flatbread, buttery Club crackers, pita chips, and even potato chips.
As for vegetables, pimento cheese can be served on celery, known as "ants on a log" without the raisins. It can also be stuffed into hollowed-out radishes or served on lettuce cups.
Cheese Servings: 5 Pounds Equals How Many?
You may want to see also
It's been called the pâté of the South
Pimento cheese is a spread typically made with cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos, served on crackers, vegetables, or in sandwiches. Although it originated in the Northern United States in the early 20th century, it is now closely associated with Southern cuisine. The dish first appeared as a homemade snack, with recipes featuring combinations of soft cheeses like Neufchatel or cream cheese with minced pimiento peppers.
The origins of pimento cheese can be traced back to the early practices of Domestic Science, also known as "home economics." This women-led social reform movement aimed to bring scientific precision to various aspects of homemaking, including cooking and table setting. Cream cheese, one of the key ingredients in early pimento cheese recipes, aligned perfectly with the Domestic Science sensibility due to its soft texture, mild flavour, and connotations of purity from its clean white colour.
However, the high cost of the original ingredient, canned Spanish pimentos, led southern farmers to start growing their own pimentos to create a more affordable alternative. Southern cooks further adapted the recipe by substituting hoop cheese and mayonnaise for the cream cheese. During the Depression era, hoop cheese was a more economical option, costing around 40 cents per pound compared to five ounces of pimento cheese, which ranged from 20 to 25 cents.
Over time, pimento cheese became an iconic staple of Southern home cooking. While it used to be considered a working-class food, it has recently undergone a culinary transformation. In the early 2000s, Southern writers and chefs began celebrating this humble dish, sharing recipes, and incorporating it into restaurant menus. Today, pimento cheese has evolved into a versatile condiment that adds an instant Southern touch to various dishes, from stuffed quail and omelettes to modern pan-Southern snacks like fried green tomato sandwiches.
Cheese and Honey: A Match Made in Heaven
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Pimento cheese is not served in any other country. It is a delicacy almost completely unknown outside the bounds of the Southern United States.
Pimento cheese was born in the late 1800s in New York City, in the Northern United States. It was a product of industrial food manufacturing and mass marketing.
Pimento cheese is typically made of grated cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos (also known as pimientos), mixed into a chunky paste.
Pimento cheese is a spread that can be served on crackers and vegetables or in sandwiches. It can also be added to dishes like deviled eggs, cheeseburgers, biscuits, and even baked into lasagna.
Yes, pimento cheese is considered a culinary icon in the Southern United States. It is often associated with Southern hospitality and comfort food.
