The basic recipe has a few basic ingredients: cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimento, blended to either a smooth or chunky paste. Additional ingredients may include, Louisiana-style hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, salt & pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, jalapeños, onions, garlic, and dill pickles. Pimento cheese can be served as a spread on crackers or celery, scooped onto corn chips or tortilla chips, mixed in with mashed yolks for deviled eggs, added to grits, or slathered over hamburgers or hot dogs. Pimento cheese can also be used to replace the sliced cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich. All good choices in my opinion. Here is a recipe with my little twist on it.
INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/3 cup green olives (chopped)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimento, drained and chopped
2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
In a bowl, combine first 5 ingredients until well blended.
mix in olives, jalapeno, and pimento
Fold in shredded cheese and stir until well blended.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate for several hours for flavors to blend.
