Pimiento Cheese Creamed Corn Food

CREAMY PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• Beat the cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; add Cheddar cheese and continue beating until light and fluffy. Beat in mayonnaise and garlic powder; stir in pimento. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

PIMENTO CHEESE-STUFFED CORN MUFFINS

Steps:

• Stir together the Cheddar, cream cheese, pimentos, onion, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a mixing bowl until combined and creamy. Divide the cheese mixture into 12 heaping tablespoons and shape into balls. Chill the balls until firm and cold, about 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
• Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk, butter and beaten egg and yolk in another medium bowl. Fold the egg mixture into the cornmeal mixture using a rubber spatula, mixing until a slightly lumpy batter just comes together.
• Fill each prepared muffin tin cup about halfway full with some of the batter. Put a chilled cheese ball in each muffin cup, pushing down slightly so the batter swells up around the cheese. Top evenly with the remaining batter (each cheese ball will be completely covered) and dust lightly with cayenne. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.

PEPPERCORN-CRUSTED STEAK WITH PIMIENTO CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add the spinach to the skillet in handfuls, stirring after each addition. Cook until all the spinach is wilted, about 12 minutes. Push the spinach to one side of the skillet. Add the cream cheese and heavy cream to the other side and smash it until mostly melted, about 2 minutes. Add the pimientos and stir into the spinach. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of pepper and the nutmeg. Keep warm.
• Put the peppercorns and sugar in a resealable plastic bag and crush using a rolling pin or skillet. Sprinkle the steaks with the remaining teaspoon salt, then coat both sides with the peppercorn mixture, pressing to adhere.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Swirl the olive oil in the skillet. Add the steaks and cook until well browned and cooked to your desired temperature, about 6 minutes per side for medium-rare.
• Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Thinly slice the steaks against the grain and serve with the creamed spinach.

PIMIENTO-CHEESE CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain spinach well, pressing between paper towels.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, and sauté 1 minute; remove from heat.
• Stir cream cheese into onion mixture until melted and well blended. Stir in spinach, milk, and next 3 ingredients.
• Stir together egg, drained pimiento, and 1 1/2 cups cheese; stir egg mixture into spinach mixture. Spoon mixture into lightly greased (with cooking spray) ramekins, or a 2 quart baking dish; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Toss together panko, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese; sprinkle over spinach mixture.
• Bake at 350 for 50 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

BACON-PIMIENTO CHEESE CORN MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Whisk together cheese spread, butter, sour cream and egg until blended. Add muffin mix; stir just until moistened. Fold in bacon., Fill 10 greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 10-12 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.

CREAM CHEESE CORN

Steps:

• In medium saucepan, warm corn slightly covered in water to about room temperature.
• DO NOT OVER COOK.
• Drain corn, place back in pan.
• Add butter and cream cheese.
• Cook, stirring over medium heat only until melted, add salt and pepper.
• Pour into serving bowl and sprinkle slight amount of parsley for color.