Dogwoods Pimento Cheese Recipes

PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the cheddar, cream cheese, pimento peppers, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and jalapeño (if using), and several twists of black pepper.
• Beat the mixture together with a hand mixer, your stand mixer, or by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula. Beat until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
• Taste, and add more black pepper if desired, and/or salt for more overall flavor (I usually add a pinch of two). If you'd like your pimento cheese to have more of a kick, add another pinch of cayenne. Blend again.
• Transfer the mixture to a smaller serving bowl. Serve your pimento cheese immediately, or chill it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Pimento cheese hardens as it cools; let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature to soften.

PIMENTO CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups grated extra-sharp yellow cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons chopped pimentos, 2 tablespoons grated onion, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Season with salt and black pepper. Spread on white bread.

EASY PIMIENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients. Add cheeses and stir to combine. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour.

SOUTHERN PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• Place the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, minced jalapeno, and pimento into the large bowl of a mixer. Beat at medium speed, with paddle if possible, until thoroughly combined. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

GRILLED PIMENTO CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the pimento cheese: Combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the Cheddar and Gouda and mix to combine on low, about 1 minute. Stir in the roasted red peppers by hand. Taste and season with salt and pepper, but go heavy on the pepper; start with 1/2 teaspoon and go from there.
• For the sandwiches: On low heat, warm a cast-iron skillet. Put a heaping 1/2 cup of the pimento cheese between 2 slices of bread. Don't spread the mixture all the way to the crust because it will soften and spread as it heats in the skillet. Repeat with the remaining bread and cheese.
• Smear one side of each sandwich with mayonnaise, and place the sandwiches in the skillet mayonnaise-side down. Smear the top pieces of bread with mayonnaise. Cook until golden brown and the cheese has just started to melt, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden, another 3 minutes. Slice into halves or quarters and serve immediately.
• Reserve any remaining pimento cheese in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

PIMIENTO CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Add the Cheddar, cream cheese, pimientos, mayonnaise, onion powder, cayenne, garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat the mixture until it is well combined and fluffy, about 1 minute. Salt to taste.
• Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and garnish with the chives. Serve with crackers and assorted crudités.

THE LEE BROTHERS' PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, place the cheddar cheese in an even layer. Scatter the cream cheese, pimentos, mayonnaise and chile flakes over the cheddar cheese. Using a spatula, mix the pimento cheese until it is smooth and spreadable, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Transfer the pimento cheese to a plastic container or bowl, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator. Pimento cheese keeps in the refrigerator for 1 week.

PIMENTO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water and drain again.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko and cook, stirring often, until golden and toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Melt remaining 8 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add flour and paprika, stir well, and cook until vegetables are coated, about 1 minute.
• While whisking, carefully stream in the milk until smooth and incorporated. Bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk. Simmer, whisking often, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese and pimentos, and stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add cooked pasta and stir to coat. Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly. Evenly sprinkle the toasted panko on top. Bake until golden and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then serve.