Go Ahead Honey ...It's Gluten-Free, is a web event that's has a different theme each month. This month's host is Shirley of Gluten Free Easily. The theme: Make Me a Happy Camper. Pimento Cheese Spread fits the bill perfectly. This recipe is simple and easy. It's a nice take along for a camping trip or picnic. It travels well and is great on bread, crackers or piled into a stick of celery. However, don't let it's simplicity fool you, Pimento Cheese Spread is the gem of Southern Cuisine. In fact, it's an icon on a pedestal all it's own. No southern childhood memory is complete without a pimento cheese sandwich served on gummy white bread. And no party guest list is complete without it. Whether it comes to the trailer park soiree dressed in an old margarine tub with an unmatched lid, or it sits next to the caviar and fois gras on a dish of crystal, it's quite simply expected to be there. It's even popular at the Masters Gold Tournament. Southerners are just wild their Pimento Cheese Spread. A few years back, the Atlanta Journal Constitution devoted their entire food section to Pimento Cheese Spread. There are lots of creative things to do with it: put on burgers, deviled eggs, make into fritters, fry it, bake it...the list is endless. The recipes are endless too. Everyone has their own rules and reasons. For me, the cheese has to be freshly shredded. Purchasing pre-shredded cheese just will not work. Perhaps it's the starches they put on it to keep the shreds from clumping that ruin the texture for me. Anyways, here's my version, it's simple and heavenly, and you don't have to be from the South to savor it. I've also included some links to articles and recipes you might enjoy.
Pimento Cheese Spread (SCD)
8 oz. Block of good Sharp Cheddar Cheese
4 oz. jar Pimientos, chopped, do NOT drain
Mayonnaise (for SCD use homemade)
Salt and Pepper
Dash of Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Grate the cheese by hand. In a mixing bowl mix cheese and pimientos, juice and all. Add mayo in spoonfuls until it's the consistency you like it. Season to taste. Some folks like theirs creamy and will use a mixer to blend it. This keeps well in the fridge for a few days.
Pimento Cheese: It's a Southern Thing
Learnin about Pimento Cheese
2003 Pimento Cheese Invitational
Paula Deen's Recipe
My good friend Helen makes the best pimento cheese. Everyone raves about it...yours looks just as good. What a wonderful recipe to have in your back pocket. :)
ReplyDeleteAmy Green
Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free
Hi Tracee--This spread looks really good! Even though I'm in the South, I sure didn't know all that about pimento cheese. Thanks for the education. I definitely need to spend some more time looking at your blog. Seems like there's lots of helpful info here and per your subheading, there'll be even more soon. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for participating in GAHIGF this month!
Shirley
Thanks ladies! I really enjoyed this months theme for Go Ahead Honey, we love to camp. When our schedule slows down a bit I'll get another round of research up.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever had pimento cheese but it certainly look delicious! :)
ReplyDelete