Andy Montoya
Pimento cheese is a classic Southern dish that combines cheddar cheese and pimento peppers into a creamy, tangy, and peppery dip. It is also referred to as pâté du Sud or Southern pâté. Pimento cheese is usually served as a spread on crackers or sandwiches, but it can also be added to soups. One popular soup that goes well with pimento cheese is the Potato Pimento Cheese Soup, which is a creamy, hearty, and flavorful dish. This soup combines the sharpness of cheddar cheese with the sweetness of pimento peppers, resulting in a comforting and satisfying meal.
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What You'll Learn
What is pimento cheese?
Pimento cheese is a Southern specialty, though it did not originate in the South. It is a spread or dip typically made with cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, and mayonnaise. It is often served with crackers or vegetables, or in sandwiches.
Pimento cheese is also referred to as "pâté of the South", "Carolina caviar", or "the caviar of the South". It is a popular sandwich filling at the Masters Tournament, a golf tournament with a long history.
Pimento peppers are small, red peppers that are not spicy. They are sometimes called cherry peppers and are often sold in jars. These peppers lend a sweetness to the dish.
There are many variations of pimento cheese recipes, with some including cream cheese, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, onions, garlic, and dill pickles.
Pimento cheese is a versatile dish that can be used in a variety of applications, such as deviled eggs, mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, and even baked into lasagna. It is a comforting and nostalgic food for many people, especially those with roots in the Southern United States.
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How to make pimento cheese soup
Pimento cheese soup is a twist on the classic pimento cheese spread, transforming the traditional Southern flavours into a creamy, hearty soup. Pimentos are a type of sweet pepper, otherwise known as cherry peppers, and they lend a soothing sweetness to the soup. This soup is pure comfort food, steaming and very filling. It's also gluten-free and vegetarian.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Bell peppers (green and red)
- Cornstarch
- Dry mustard
- Vegetable broth
- Cream cheese
- Half-and-half cream
- Pepper jack cheese (shredded)
- Sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- Pickled pimentos (drained)
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper
- Parsley (optional)
Method:
- Melt butter over medium heat in a large Dutch oven on the stove top.
- Add diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Saute for 5-8 minutes until translucent.
- Mix in cornstarch and dry mustard until well incorporated.
- Add veggie broth, cream cheese, and half-and-half cream. Cook until thickened, about 12-15 minutes.
- Add pimentos, grated cheese, cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook for another couple of minutes until the cheese is thoroughly melted.
- Taste for salt and pepper.
- Garnish with additional diced red bell pepper and chopped parsley, if desired.
Tips:
- This soup is great served with gluten-free bread or muffins on the side.
- You can also serve it with a salad.
- If you like bacon, fry some until crispy, cut or crumble into small pieces, and add to the soup. You can also use it as a garnish.
- You can make a double batch and use the leftovers as a dip when cold, or warm it up on a cold winter day.
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What to serve with pimento cheese soup
Pimento cheese soup is a twist on the classic pimento cheese spread, a staple in many lunchboxes in certain regions of the US. It is a rich, creamy, and hearty soup.
- Bread: Muffins, gluten-free bread, or sourdough bread go well with the soup.
- Salad: A light salad on the side can complement the heaviness of the soup.
- Sandwich: Pimento cheese sandwiches are a classic, and you can serve them alongside the soup or use the soup as a dip for the sandwich.
- Crackers: For a lighter option, serve the soup with crackers.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon crumbles can be a tasty garnish for the soup, adding a savory, salty touch.
- Croutons: For a contrasting texture, add some croutons to the soup.
- Pickles: A few pickles on the side can provide a tangy and crunchy element to the meal.
- Rice: Leftover rice can be served with the soup, providing a base to soak up all the cheesy goodness.
- Vegetables: Sliced cucumbers, celery, or bell peppers (any colour but green) can be a refreshing and healthy accompaniment to the soup.
The soup itself is quite rich and filling, so it is best to serve it with lighter side dishes that will complement the cheesy, creamy flavours without overwhelming the palate.
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What to eat pimento cheese with
Pimento cheese is a classic Southern dip or spread that is creamy, cheesy, tangy, and peppery. It is made with cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, and mayonnaise. Here are some ideas on what to eat pimento cheese with:
Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
You can make a pimento grilled cheese sandwich or serve it between two slices of bread, sliced into tea sandwich form. For a more substantial sandwich, add sliced cucumber (or dill pickles), tomato, sprouts, or arugula, and even a fried egg.
Crackers
Pimento cheese and crackers is a classic combination. For a healthier option, serve it with strips of bell pepper (any color but green), cucumber, or celery.
Soups
Pimento cheese can be added to soups to create a creamy and hearty dish. For example, there is a recipe for Potato Pimento Cheese Soup, which is a slow cooker soup made with potatoes, chicken broth, cheddar cheese, and pimento peppers. There is also a recipe for Pimento Cheese Soup, which is a creamy and hearty soup made with chicken stock, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and pimento peppers.
Other Cheddar Cheese Dishes
You can add pimento peppers to your favourite cheddar cheese dishes, such as mac and cheese.
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What are pimentos?
Pimentos, also referred to as pimientos, are a type of pepper with a sweet flavour and very little heat. They are also known as cherry peppers because of their red colour and heart shape. Pimentos are about 3 to 4 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide, with a short, thick green stem. They are most closely associated with Spain, and Spanish olives often contain pimentos. However, pimentos are now widely grown, and the state of Georgia in the US is known for growing and canning them.
Pimentos are commonly diced and stuffed into Spanish or Manzanilla olives in Mediterranean cuisine. In the US, pimento-stuffed olives are a traditional garnish for martinis and are found in pimento loaves, which are sliced and served in sandwiches.
Pimentos are also a key ingredient in pimento cheese, sometimes referred to as "the caviar of the South". This spread combines pimentos with cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and sometimes cream cheese and hot sauce. It is often served on crackers or celery, or in grilled cheese sandwiches.
Pimentos can be used in a variety of dishes, including Mexican fare, chilis, soups, tacos, pasta, risotto, and grains. They are also used to make paprika, a popular spice made by grinding various peppers into a fine powder. Many chefs prefer the mild, sweet flavour of paprika made with pimentos.
Pimentos are very mild, registering between 100 and 500 heat units on the Scoville scale, making them one of the mildest chile peppers. They are about 40 times milder than a jalapeño pepper.
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Frequently asked questions
Pimento cheese is a classic Southern dip or spread made with cheddar cheese and pimento peppers. It is also known as "pâté du Sud," or Southern pâté.
Pimento cheese soup and potato pimento cheese soup are two options that go well with pimento cheese.
Pimento cheese can be served as a dip with crackers or substantial strips of bell pepper, cucumber, or celery. It can also be used as a sandwich spread or added to mac and cheese.
Pimento cheese pairs well with recipes such as fried cheese curds, pimento cheese bacon tomato pie, and jalapeño pimento bacon grilled cheese.
