Dogwoods Pimento Cheese Food

PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the cheddar, cream cheese, pimento peppers, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and jalapeño (if using), and several twists of black pepper.
• Beat the mixture together with a hand mixer, your stand mixer, or by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula. Beat until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
• Taste, and add more black pepper if desired, and/or salt for more overall flavor (I usually add a pinch of two). If you'd like your pimento cheese to have more of a kick, add another pinch of cayenne. Blend again.
• Transfer the mixture to a smaller serving bowl. Serve your pimento cheese immediately, or chill it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Pimento cheese hardens as it cools; let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature to soften.

PIMENTO CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups grated extra-sharp yellow cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons chopped pimentos, 2 tablespoons grated onion, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Season with salt and black pepper. Spread on white bread.

PIMIENTO CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Puree 1/3 cup sliced pimientos (drained) in a blender or food processor until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Add 3 cups finely grated sharp cheddar and beat with a mixer until combined. Beat in 1/4 cup mayonnaise.

PIMIENTO CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Mix the cheddar, pepper jack, mayonnaise, pimientos, shallot and cayenne in a medium bowl.
• Spread the pimiento cheese mixture on 4 bread slices and top with the remaining 4 bread slices.

THE LEE BROTHERS' PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, place the cheddar cheese in an even layer. Scatter the cream cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise and chile flakes over the cheddar cheese. Using a spatula, mix the pimento cheese until it is smooth and spreadable, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Transfer the pimento cheese to a plastic container or bowl, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator. Pimento cheese keeps in the refrigerator for 1 week.

GRILLED PIMENTO CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the pimento cheese: Combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the Cheddar and Gouda and mix to combine on low, about 1 minute. Stir in the roasted red peppers by hand. Taste and season with salt and pepper, but go heavy on the pepper; start with 1/2 teaspoon and go from there.
• For the sandwiches: On low heat, warm a cast-iron skillet. Put a heaping 1/2 cup of the pimento cheese between 2 slices of bread. Don't spread the mixture all the way to the crust because it will soften and spread as it heats in the skillet. Repeat with the remaining bread and cheese.
• Smear one side of each sandwich with mayonnaise, and place the sandwiches in the skillet mayonnaise-side down. Smear the top pieces of bread with mayonnaise. Cook until golden brown and the cheese has just started to melt, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden, another 3 minutes. Slice into halves or quarters and serve immediately.
• Reserve any remaining pimento cheese in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

EASY PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine cheeses, pimentos and pimento juice, onion, mayonnaise, garlic, paprika, and celery seed. Mix well and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Transfer the cheese spread to a serving bowl and serve with the bread.

PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients well and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

SOUTHERN PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• Place the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, minced jalapeno, and pimento into the large bowl of a mixer. Beat at medium speed, with paddle if possible, until thoroughly combined. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.