I posted some pictures of some pimiento cheese that I made over on the twitters the other day. Someone asked for my recipe, so here it is.
I don't really eat a whole heck of a lot of pimiento cheese and I probably only make it once or twice a year. But sometimes I am randomly struck with a primal urge for the creamy orange goo. My primary use for pimiento cheese is as a burger condiment. One of my favorite things in the world is a burger with a bit of bacon, a roasted red pepper, and a big ol' smear of pimiento cheese.
My recipe is fairly standard with a couple minor additions/omissions. Your main players are the cheese and peppers. For the cheese (1/2 lbs) it is necessary to go with something sharp, orange, cheap, and from New York. I used some Trader Joe's stuff. As an aside, I am coming around to Trader Joe's. I had a bit of vitriol for the place early on, but the wife is a full convert and I am coming around. If you avoid all the TV dinners and stupid frozen appetizer thingies there are some good products.
You also need some pimientos. Either one of those little 7 once jars or half of a full can should do. I used half of one of the Goya cans this time.
I hate mayonaise and can't stand the thought of it floating about in my pimiento cheese so I replace it with either sour cream or cream cheese (4 oz). Sour cream gives a thinner/looser end product and this is how I make it when I know I want to put it on burgers. Cream cheese makes for a more spreadable end product if you are making the pimiento cheese to put on crackers or for other nefarious purposes.
I also add about a tablespoon of whole grain dijon mustard, a hearty pinch of Utica grind red pepper, a large pinch of salt, and some black pepper.
Pulse in the blender until still slightly chunky and put it in jars. It keeps well in jars and I think the stuff actually improves after a couple of days in the refrigerator.
Like I said before, if you haven't tried pimiento cheese on a hamburger you are missing out. The peppers and the mustardy tang make it a perfect burger condiment.
You will have to excuse my lack of buns, I did not have any on hand when my pimiento cheese burger lust fell upon me. Tortilla burgers are good too.
First the whoopsie rolls and now this? You, sir, are turning into the Nigella Lawson of my little corner of the 518. Or its Julia Child...I'll let you pick.
ReplyDeleteBob W.
My Southern Belle spouse would probably be ok with your omitting either garlic or onion, but she would definitely shudder at the thought of pimiento cheese with sour cream/cream cheese. Me, I'm on the side of the onion or garlic.
ReplyDelete