Admittedly my relationship with Pimento Cheese did not begin until I moved South. I had heard of it, but honestly thought of it as some type of cheese mixture close to Port Wine Cheese or a Cheese Ball you have at the holiday’s.
After a few visits with neighbors and attending various gatherings this “southern” mixture started to become more and more a part of my entertaining menu. Still, I had not made it personally – I thought, “Is a girl born and raised in the Northeast even allowed to make and serve this dish??”
So, I began to do a little research on recipes and the history of Pimento Cheese. Let’s start with recipes – I think there are just as many recipe variations as there are Southern mothers! Too many to count and all with their own must have ingredients, and story to go along, about why this ingredient is a MUST for an authentic Pimento Cheese Recipe.
Moving on to the history. No one was more shocked to find out that pimento cheese got its beginnings in the North—in New York, in fact—as a product of industrial food manufacturing and mass marketing! Imagine that? This truly southern dish is a transplant to the warmer weather, just like many of us in the Southern states.
Sometime shortly after World War II, the popularity of the pre-made pimento cheese brands began to fade, but Southern cooks took what began as an industrial food product and started developing their own recipes for making and serving it at home.
According to Robert Moss, Southern Food Correspondent and author of Going Lardcore: Adventures in New Southern Dining
Don’t you love it!
So without further delay my fellow “Domestic Scientists” – I offer you my version of Zesty Pimento Cheese Spread.
ZESTY PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD
INGREDIENTS
- 1 – 8 ounces package whipped cream cheese
- 2 – 4 ounce jars of diced pimentos, drained
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon srirachi sauce, or hot sauce of choice
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, add to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, add to taste
- 5 cups {1 1/4 pounds} shredded cheddar cheese
- green onions, for garnish if desired
METHOD
In a food processor combine cream cheese, pimentos, celery seeds, Worcestershire sauce, srirachi sauce, apple cider, salt and pepper. Season to taste.
In a medium size bowl combine cream cheese mixture and shredded cheese with a wooden spoon until well blended. Cover and chill 8 to 24 hours.
Garnish with green onions, if desired. Serve with crackers or melba toast.
How do you like your pimento cheese spread?? Let me know in the comments below!
Pretty much in agreement with post. The celery seeds are found mainly in chicken salad receipts of the old South. I am a purist with PC: extra sharp cheese, mayo, pimento, pepper, dash of cayenne and or Tabasco, dash of Worcestershire sauce, and very small pinch of sugar. Perhaps a bit of Swiss cheese in addition to cheddar. Never use celery seed with PC.
This recipe looks great!
I grew up on pimento cheese, and the recipe at our Southern home varied, based on whether or not my Mom–or my Dad–made it.
Those little 4 oz pimento jars have been around forever!
What I’ve gone to is ONLY using Mt. Olive Red Peppers–so I can control the size of the chop on the pepper–and the only mayo to mix in for what I consider the perfect “sandwich pimento cheese” is Duke’s.
That’s all that’s needed for a perfect sandwich–except you need to remember that you grill it with butter on both sides of the bread and grill it on iron.
Cheese dreams and comfort unlimited!
Wow !! It looks good and seems pretty simple to make. Though never try it but should do as it is looking very tasty, really !! Thanks for sharing.
Not sure I have ever had Pimiento cheese, although I have often seen recipes for it. Must remedy that!
Great looking recipe, Krayl!!! I’ll have to try it… I’m not sure that I’ve had pimento cheese before actually! 😉 Thanks so much for linking up at Dream Create Inspire too!
Tabitha ~ what?? how is that possible? Enjoy!
Wow, that sounds amazing and seems pretty easy to make. I have never tried Pinto Cheese dip before, but I definitely should!
This looks amazing. I love pimento cheese, we grew up in the North, Wisconsin to be exact and we loved making dips like this. Great recipe!
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think!
Hands down pimento cheese is one of my favorite things about the south! I live in Italy now and can’t get pimento cheese or even cheddar but it’s literally the first thing I ask for when I get home to Virginia!
I might give up both cheeses to head to Italy!
YUM YUM YUM! I love cheese! And if it’s a little on the spicy side it’s even better. This looks really delicious!
OK, can we talk about how DELICIOUS this looks?!? Wow. I’m such a sucker for a good cheese/cheese spread of nearly any kind, and this looks absolutely amazeballs.
I too fell in love with Pimento cheese as a converted southerner! When I do have cheese, this is now one of my favs, and always a staple at any southern gathering! Beautiful photography and delicious recipe, can’t wait to try it!
I’m sure we have other favorites in common! Heading to your blog to see!