Southern Pimento Cheese
Dip and Spread
You get a two-for-one with this recipe. This is a flavor-packed dip that works perfectly on crackers. In addition, it is delicious as a melted spread on burgers, roast beef, and fried chicken sandwiches.
There is something universally good about pimento cheese. It’s been a southern staple since the recipe debuted over 100 years ago! The combination of cream cheese and pimentos continues to evolve today. You’ll find the pairing in recipes from biscuits to mac and cheese!
This combination of flavors is a winner. Give yourself and your humans a treat. Make southern pimento cheese.
I love when you can use a recipe for different purposes. Especially since there are just two of us unless we’re entertaining. We choose to eat great-tasting food every day! : )
We love blackened hamburgers. This recipe has enough flavor profiles to pair perfectly with the hearty, spicy burger. The same can be done with a fried chicken sandwich. The crispy chicken and the spread don’t compete to be the star. Instead, it is the combination that makes this outstanding!
Southern Pimento Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups cheddar cheese extra sharp
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 4 oz jar diced pimento
- 1 jalapeno seeded and finely minced (optional)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are incorporated evenly and the cheese has bound into a ball.2 cups cheddar cheese, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 4 oz jar diced pimento, 1 jalapeno, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp onion powder, salt and black pepper
- Let flavors meld in the refrigerator for at least two hours. An overnight rest is preferred for enhanced flavor.
Notes
Nutrition
De Froid Tip: Food Pairing
Chefs are constantly tasting their food. It helps them make choices in ingredients right from the start. Is this apple more tart or sweet? If it’s sweet, let’s add cider vinegar to balance the flavors.
Home chefs can make great choices by tasting along the way too! When I did the taste test, I found it to have full flavor and a creamy mouth feel. I opened my pantry and saw a box of Potter’s Caramelized Onion Crisps that my sister-in-law had given us as a hostess gift.
These crisps are thick. They proved to be a perfect choice. Had I chosen a softer butter cracker, the dip would have taken over. Thick and crispy was the ideal pairing with the creamy dip.
Welcome to Foodie de Froid!
If you love real food, take pleasure in eating, and strive for mouth-watering flavor, you have come to the right place. Here the star of the show IS the food, presenting it in a way that makes it shine.
Tasting Experiences
We feature many appetizers and individual-sized recipes as a purposeful way to experience and share food.
Our mouth reacts to flavors in a transitional way. That first taste creates an exciting experience with the food’s intense flavors, textures, and visual appeal. Yet after the first few bites, our mouths and minds adjust, and that experience deadens.
Thus, the tasting experience! We served 14 consecutive courses at my last tasting party. Each was purposely selected to bring new flavors, textures, and presentations, creating surprises and wow moments throughout the night.
The Recipes
The recipes are documented with ingredients we love. Yet my greatest hope is to have you understand why the recipes work and eventually make them into your personal version using your favorite ingredients and presentations.