The Best Cheese Spread Ever
Posted by Gail | Filed under Gail Cooks!
You know that red thing that comes stuffed inside an olive? That’s pimento, or cherry pepper. It’s a variety of large, red, heart-shaped chili peppers. The flesh is sweet and more aromatic than a red bell pepper.
I have very fond memories of this cheese spread showing up at tea-time (yes, my grandmother used to have a formal tea), or on sandwiches. I just loved it. When it was served at tea, the sandwiches would have the crusts trimmed and would be cut into triangles.
Pimento cheese is a common food in the southern U.S., though pretty much unknown elsewhere. Try it. I bet you’ll love it. And it’s a darned side more interesting that that cheese stuff you get out of a bottle!
Gail’s Pimento Cheese
- Medium jar of mayonnaise (Hellman’s please)
- Small bottle of pimento, drained and coarsely chopped
- 2 cups grated extra-old cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp scotchbonnet pepper sauce
Mix the mayo with the pimento and add the grated cheese to a consistency you like. Keep in mind that once refrigerated it will become a little firmer.
If you can’t find pimento, I have successfully substituted roasted bell peppers, but you’ll have to use a little more to get a good flavour… say ½ cup. And make sure you drain it well so you don’t make the spread too watery.
Add the scotchbonnet pepper to taste. My favorite Scotchbonnet sauce is made by Grace. Try to find it if you can; it has all the flavour with a little less heat.
Leave it to “mature” for a day before serving with crackers, pita chips or with garlic toast fingers. Or spread it on bread for a quick sandwich that is sure to please.
Experiment and customize your pimento cheese to your taste. You can add garlic. You can add dill pickles. Some people like to add a stalk of green onion finely chopped, but go easy on the green onion because it can overpower the pimento. I leave it out. If you come up with something sensational, send me a note!
July 18, 2012 at 7:49 am
Forget about the money books Gail, you should be writing cookbooks
July 18, 2012 at 7:50 am
I work at YIG (Your Independent Grocer) part of the Loblaws chain of stores and we sell the Grace Scotchbonnet pepper sauce in our Ethnic section. Just in case anyone is trying to find it..
July 18, 2012 at 8:04 am
I recall my aunt, who lived in Toronto, using a pimento cheese spread in fancy sandwiches in the fifties but, although she may have made the spread herself, I think she bought it already prepared. We kids loved it.
I’m going to save this recipe to try later.
July 18, 2012 at 10:08 am
When are you comimg for tea? I wi;l even polish up my silver tea service and get out the china cups and plates to put the pimento cheese sandwiches, and other goddies on. Its a shame folks don’t stoop for a formal tea more often.
July 18, 2012 at 10:37 am
After growing up in the GTA, I moved to North Carolina where I was introduced to Pimento Cheese. My recipe includes adds the following the Gail’s: Monterey Jack (2 parts cheddar, 1 part MJ), cream cheese, a little horseradish and a dash of finely chopped onions.
Let it get firm in the fridge and then use it for grilled cheese sandwiches. So, so, good.
July 18, 2012 at 10:45 am
Last night I was craving cheese and pasta. Since we did not have anything that came from a box, I decided to make my own sauce.
2 tbsp of butter in a pan on medium heat.
Add 2 tbsp of flour along with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper (to taste).
Gradually add approximately 1.5 cups of milk. Make sure to stir constantly.
Add a cup of grated old cheese.
Add 5 tbsp of ricotta cheese.
Stir, stir stir.
I also added a pinch of chipolte and garlic. I made the cheese sauce while the pasta was cooking on the other burner. My fiance and I loved it! I will never make pasta from a box again.
July 18, 2012 at 11:03 am
I, too, remember pimento cheese but it was made by Philadelphia and came wrapped in heavy foil the way the brick cream cheese comes now, only much, much smaller. It was a blend of pimento and cream cheese, I think, and was absolutely delicious. Thanks for the memory Gail.
July 18, 2012 at 10:42 pm
I am from Trinidad and I had tea with my Grannie every afternoon. She would put slices of cheese on sweet biscuits, yummy!
Hey Gail my birthday is also June18th!!
July 18, 2012 at 10:56 pm
My grandmother added caraway seeds and a small amount of anchovy paste. Delicious.
July 19, 2012 at 11:17 am
A food truck in Calgary makes grilled cheese with pimento cheese, gruyere, onions, and pickles. I had never had pimento cheese before, but that grilled cheese sandwich sure is good!
July 20, 2012 at 8:28 am
Don’t forget to make sure the cheddar is Canadian!