Pimento Cheese Spread

Name: Pimento Cheese Spread
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 8 oz extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated; 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, grated; 4 oz jarred diced pimentos, drained; ½ cup mayonnaise; 2 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 tsp grated onion; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; ¼ tsp garlic powder; Black pepper to taste; Celery sticks, for serving

Sharp hand-grated cheddar, sweet pimentos and a touch of cayenne bound in creamy mayonnaise.

Serves 8
Active 15 min
Total 15 min
Appetizers

Ingredients

8 oz extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, grated
4 oz jarred diced pimentos, drained
½ cup mayonnaise
2 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp grated onion
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
Black pepper to taste
Celery sticks, for serving

Method

Grate the cheeses by hand on the large holes of a box grater; pre-shredded cheese is coated and won't turn creamy.
Beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise in a bowl until smooth.
Fold in the grated cheeses, pimentos, onion, cayenne, garlic powder and a few grinds of black pepper.
Taste and adjust the seasoning, then serve right away or chill, with celery sticks for dipping.

Notes

Keeps 5 days refrigerated and firms up as it chills, so let it sit out 15 minutes before serving.

Spread it on soft white bread for classic party sandwiches.