Grate your cheese to make pimento cheese.
Whether you call it pimento cheese, menta cheese or "PC," pimento cheese is a Southern delicacy. Pimento cheese made its debut in 1909 in "The Up-to-Date Sandwich Book" as a spread for sandwiches. A mixture of cheese, pimentos and mayonnaise, pimento cheese is simple enough to make that even the culinarily challenged can do it. Knowing a few authentic pimento cheese recipes will help you choose the right one for your next sandwich, cracker spread or even just to enjoy with a spoon.
Instructions
Basic Recipe
1. Place 1 1/2 cups bagged shredded sharp cheddar cheese in the food processor.
2. Add 1/2 cup mayonnaise and one 4 oz. jar of drained pimentos to the food processor bowl.
3. Mix the ingredients in the food processor using the pulse button. Taste the mixture and add kosher salt and pepper to taste.
White Cheddar
4. Grate 10 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese using a box grater. Transfer the cheese to the bowl of a food processor.
5. Add 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 chopped garlic clove and 1/2 cup chopped pimentos, including 1 tbsp. of the pimento juice from the jar. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add a few drops of hot sauce, to taste.
6. Pulse the mixture until it becomes smoother, with just a few lumps, similar to cottage cheese.
Spicy
7. Shred 1/2 lb. block Colby cheese and 1/2 lb. pepper jack cheese using a box grater.
8. Dice 1/2 of a medium red onion. Mince three cloves garlic.
9. Place the cheese, onion and garlic in a large bowl. Mix in a 4 oz. jar of diced pimentos, drained, 1 tbsp. pimento juice and 1 cup mayonnaise. Stir to combine.
10. Stir in 1 tsp. hot smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp. ground celery seed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tags: pimento cheese, food processor, pepper taste, salt pepper, salt pepper taste, cheddar cheese