I know you are thinking ... has this chick lost her mind blogging about pimento cheese ... and I would probably agree. A couple of weeks ago, I read a commentary in the Raleigh News and Observor from a guest writer originating from Wisconsin about the fact that southerners love biscuits. First, I have to say that I found the article to be offensive ... even though I cannot lay claim to being born and raised in the south but I have lived here for 20 years of my life and being from Southern Ohio, I feel that I can say that I am more a part of the south than the midwest. But after reading her article about how southerner staples include biscuits and grits and what not and that she doesn't appreciate any of these things, I thought that I would write about something that is near and dear to my heart and that really is quite yummy with many southern favorites. Oh and also, let me say that grits and biscuits totally rock! We practically live on them in our household.
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| Oh my goodness gracious! Lunch time! |
Shall we get started .... okay ... imagine you are watching Forest Gump ... yes, that's right ... and you are in the scene where Bubba is telling Forest all the ways that you can prepare shrimp. Okay, we are there and it is me telling you all the ways that you can use pimento cheese...there are sandwiches (with butter lettuce ... my fav), omelets, sandwiches with bacon and tomato, quiche, grilled sandwiches, cold dips and warm dips, muffins, and oh my gosh a hundred different ways to use pimento cheese to make alot of different things. It's beautiful and the best comfort food ... toasted bread and your favorite topping and that beautiful pimento cheese. I love it ... yum, yum, yum!
And it's so much better when it is made homemade from scratch. And it's terribly simple too! I whip up a quick batch and put it in a storage container and we "work on it" all week. So let me tell you some of the many ways that you can use it. First, a simple and easy cold dip for veggies or pitas or a hot dip simply baked in a pretty dish which can be served with veggies, pitas or even chunks of bread. Add bacon to it and its even tastier. Next you can use it just as it's meant to be used ... as a sandwich ... with or without lettuce and tomato. But imagine adding some strips of bacon and then you can also grill it between two pieces of buttered bread. Holy Cow now that's the best thing in the world and you've probably realized now how much I love bacon. And guess what, you can pop some in the middle of your muffin batter for something really special or even put a couple of spoonfuls in the middle of an omelet .... delish. Make tiny triangular toast points spread with some pimento cheese and a sprinkle of watercress ... delicate and tasty. But let me tell you what I love the most ... a nice buttery buttermilk biscuit filled with that beautiful, bright pimento cheese and a slice of bacon or two ... a cup of coffee with milk please and a side of buttery grits. Now that is some good eatin!
So just like biscuits and grits, the many ways that you can serve this perfect little concoction is only limited by your imagination. And they all three will bring a big grin to your face ....
Kicked-up Pimento Cheese
6 ounces cream cheese softened
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
1 cup of mayo (I love Dukes light)
6 tbls of pimentos (basically one jar)
3 jalepenos chopped finely
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
dash of pepper
dash of cayenne (optional)
Place the cream cheese in a mixer bowl and mix on low speed for a minute to make it very creamy. Add the remainder of the ingredients and mix for a minute on low to medium speed until it is thoroughly mixed together. Eat it up!
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