SOUTHERN STAPLE

If you're from the South, you know PIMENTO CHEESE is a staple in everyone's kitchen. You can find it in many forms, from dips to sandwiches, even in biscuits & melted on fries! Although I best prefer this dish as a dip, the possibilities are endless.

Just about every recipe is different, but the base is always the same... freshly grated cheese & pimentos. Because cheese is the star, it's important to use a good quality cheese & grate it yourself (pre-shredded cheese just won't do it justice).

I love this recipe for the combination of cheeses & the mix of cream cheese with mayo. It also gets wonderful color & crunch from the green onions.

This recipe makes A LOT of pimento cheese, so it's perfect for your next gameday tailgate, holiday entertaining or just sharing with your neighbors!

PIMENTO CHEESE

1 cup sharp cheddar, freshly grated

1 1/2 cups extra sharp white cheddar, freshly grated

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder

1/4 teaspoon mustard powder

dash of Worcestershire

3 green onions, sliced

4 ounce jar diced pimentos

salt + pepper to taste

In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese with mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne powder, mustard powder, & Worcestershire. With an electric mixer, beat until well combined.

Stir in cheese, green onions, & pimentos. Season to taste with salt & pepper.

You can definitely enjoy this right away, but I like to let it sit in the fridge for an hour or so, helping the flavors to blend.

Serve as a dip with your favorite crackers or pretzels.

ENJOY!