Pimento cheese spread is a very popular appetizer in the Southern states. Enjoy on crackers or spread on celery. This is a great snack to nibble on before the main Thanksgiving meal is served or include as part of the relish tray.
This pimento cheese spread recipe is spicier than the popular Southern classic. The traditional recipe uses sharp cheddar cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise, and basic seasonings. For this recipe, I have added a slight kick by using some peppadew sweet picquante peppers. You can serve pimento cheese with your favorite crackers, or spread on celery sticks. Southerners also like to enjoy pimento cheese on white bread to eat as a quick sandwich. Your friends and family are sue to love this appetizer! Once you serve the homemade version to them, they will never desire the store bought processed version in a jar again!
- 1 pound Cheddar Cheese (sharp or extra-sharp), shredded
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 8 ounces pimentos or roasted red peppers, drained and chopped*
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise, good-quality
- White pepper, ground, to taste
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In a large bowl, combine shredded cheddar cheese, red onion, and pimento or roasted peppers.
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In a smaller bowl, combine garlic, and mayonnaise. Add to the cheddar cheese mixture, blending thoroughly. Add white pepper and sir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight for flavors to blend before serving.
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Bring to room temperature before serving.
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I like to serve in a small crock. Great spread on crackers, stuffed into celery sticks, dip for crudites, and/or as a filling for a sandwich.
* I substituted Peppadew Sweet Piquante Peppers. Pepperadews have a unique, delicious taste, a mixture of peppery and sweet, but with a distinctive flavor. Try them - you'll like them! I always buy all I can find in my grocery store just to keep them handy for when I want to use them in my cooking.