Pimento Cheese ... Anyone ....

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. 



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!

Next stop ... Plymouth, NC ... Belhaven, NC and Bath, NC

The next stop on our whirlwind trip was Plymouth, NC.  We had no idea what interesting things we would see in Plymouth if it weren't for these great books Chris found called "Backroads of North Carolina" by Kevin Adams and "Daytrips from Raleigh-Durham" by James L. Hoffman.  Plymouth, a little town along the Roanoke River and site of the second largest Civil War battle in North Carolina, is a great place to stay overnight when touring this interesting area or on your way to the Outer banks and offers some really interesting attractions ... plus great picnic venues. 

Here in this little town we found a replica of the CSS Albemarle anchored at the waterfront district in a beautiful little park.  Perfect for a picnic!  Lush green grass, massive shade trees, a boardwalk leading to the ironclad CSS Albemarle and the sound of the Roanoke River flowing calmly in the background.  It is a true gem.  And there are really interesting people, both local and tourists.  Further down the street along the waterfront is the Roanoke River Lighthouse .... and it is a magnificent sight.  The structure sits along the waterfront in another lovely park with boardwalks along the river for birdwatching ... another lovely spot for a picnic.  Its a wonderful surprise and a must see if you are visiting the area.  Pack a blanket and a basket full of goodies and pick a spot near the water to enjoy a quiet afternoon. 

Guess what, we decided to drive south a bit to catch a free ferry from the town of Bayview to Aurora.  Aurora is the home of the Aurora Fossil Museum, a really interesting little museum full of fossilized bones, teeth, shells and coral.  Kids will love it!  And you can do your own digging for fossils and shark teeth across the street in a little park.  Have a quick picnic and then pull out the shovels, sifters, gloves and storage bags to find your own treasures to take home. 

Cross back over the ferry and head to the town of Historic Bath.  Bath is the first town in North Carolina and one of the places that the legendary Edward Teach, otherwise known as Blackbeard, called home for a while.  This little town had a very interestering history having survived violent rebellions, a yellow fever outbreak, droughts, piracy and Indian Wars.  Yet today there are several lovely homes and the St. Thomas Episcopal Church that have survived.  To stroll along this sedate little towns streets is mesmerizing and makes you yearn for slower quieter times.  I fell in love with this secluded little town and the beautiful scenery.  There is a beautiful grassy point along the waterfront near the Palmer-Marsh House that will steal your heart away.  Jelly fish float up and down in the water as you walk along the tree lined edge .... amazing ... and it is a very romantic and magical spot for a picnic or just to lie on a blanket under the big shade trees and gaze out over the amazing natural beauty or up through the trees at the amazingly blue sky.  It is love at first sight!

Note the handwritten label fading away.

Let's head northeast again to Belhaven, NC.  Belhaven is the home of a very interesting and intriguing museum, the Belhaven Memorial Museum.  When I say intriguing, I mean absolutely the most unusual and quirky museum I have ever been to and its chock full of great treasures.  Let's just say that Ripley's can't hold a candle to this place!  There is every oddity in the world here plus some really interesting objects that you might say you have never seen before or might never imagine seeing.  There is just tons and tons of things to look at literally!  Everything from seashells and buttons, clothes, rocks, dolls and guns to jars full of creatures too unusual to describe.  There is even a human skeleton.  Its absolutely bizzare and very interesting!  You could spend hours just looking at everything and trying to decypher the handwritten descriptions which are fading with age.  This museum is only open from 1:00 to 5:00  on specific days so be sure to check before going. 

How funny is this "pig with one big eye"? 

This was a really fun couple of days!  I would tell everyone that it is well worth a weekend trip to see all of these "hidden treasures" that this area of eastern North Carolina has to offer.  Take the time to tour and learn ... its so worth it .... savor all that there is to see and don't waste a minute.

It all started when.....

It all started many years ago when I was a little girl, but it took a trip to the Raleigh Flea Market yesterday to remind me of how much I loved the art of picnicing ....

Yesterday, as I was walking with my three beautiful children and Chris, the love of my life, through the Raleigh Flea Market, I found a real treasure ... one that spoke to me .... a pink picnic basket with a red interior for a real bargain price.  It reminded me of so many years ago when my little sister, Missy, and I used to give my mom some much needed "quiet time" by carrying our little picnic basket filled with whatever wonderful creations my mom came up with ... up the hill to the beautiful oak tree that sat behind our barn.  We would sit there for what seemed like forever until we knew that my mom might be missing us.  It was wonderful ... sitting in the warm sun, we would just talk and sometimes complain to go back to the house ... but it was wonderful to have that time with my sister, the person that I hold so dear in my heart.  And funny....today, I continue that ... not quiet time for me but quality time for me and my children or quality time for me and Chris.  It is such a romantic concept...especially for a true romantic at heart.  But a very real treat... one that I will always treasure and hope to share and pass on. 

This blog is dedicated to the art of picnicing ... an art that should not be lost.  A valuable treasure that should be continued and embraced by everyone.  The beautiful and magical act of sharing your love of nature and good food and togetherness with someone you love or care for.  Its an act of casual spontenaity.  The act of togetherness and family and love.  It is happiness wrapped up in one little basket to share with everyone you wish.  

This blog is about something that I hold very dear.  A fond and wonderful memory and a tradition that I have shared with my children, family and friends.  And a tradition that should be shared with everyone.  Please follow me through a wonderful journey of great picnic experiences in the Carolinas and everywhere that we travel to find beautiful picnic places and ideas that you can share with your family and friends.

Happy picnicing ....