Рецепт Pimiento Cheese Spread/Sandwich...
I fear the mister is going through male menopause - yes, he's a little old for that but it's either that or he's on that slippery "sometimer's" slope. I called him at Global Headquarters yesterday to let him know about a trip I had just booked...and in a rather snarly voice he said, "Oh that's just great! I'll be in Knoxville then!" KNOXVILLE?!? Why, pray tell, didn't you tell me?!? The mister claimed he DID tell me...he swore up and down, literally, and said he told me all about his travel plans. He was practically spitting into the phone! I waited until he was sufficiently calmed down enough before I informed him that just because he THOUGHT he told me doesn't mean he actually did. He had a conversation IN HIS HEAD is what he did. And then he thought it was real. I may have conversations in my head, YOU may too, but WE KNOW IT'S IN
OUR HEAD! He doesn't know. He's nuts. Plain and simple.
Years ago, when we lived in Northwest Arkansas, I belonged to the Junior Auxiliary - which was the only game in town. As was their tradition, a Spring luncheon was held to raise money for the high school, and all of the members were asked to bring a dish to share. It was a big to-do - the local TV cameras were there and we even had a drop-in guest...who's husband was running for re-election as the governor of Arkansas...Hillary Clinton popped in to ask for our support. Her husband promised if he was re-elected he would serve out his term...whatever...the people of Arkansas were thrilled he left to be president! So, at this ta-dah, every Southern dish imaginable was offered...including Pimiento Cheese Spread. It was love at first bite for me. I came home with the recipe, thrilled to pieces, and when I'm not dieting, I make this every chance I get. Which is about once a year.
This has a nice little kick to it - thanks to Cayenne pepper...it's the perfect comfort food...rich, creamy, cheesy...so, so satisfying. Pimiento's are really just marinated red peppers - not spicy at all and for some odd reason we usually only see them stuffed in green olives! (Pimiento is the Spanish word for pepper, it's also spelled "pimento".) You can buy small jars of pimiento's at the grocery store, look for them next to the pickles and olives. Pimiento Cheese Spread is great on celery - my favorite way to eat it - or crackers. The mister prefers to eat his Pimiento Cheese between two pieces of toast with lettuce. It's funny...he actually eats his food - he never just thinks he does - would save me a lot of money if he did! Pimiento Cheese also makes a great grilled cheese sandwich...man alive...that's the Gospel truth! This one is getting 4 dangs my friends...it's dang, dang, dang, dang good!
- Pimiento Cheese Spread/Sandwich ~ Adapted From The Junior Auxiliary Ladies of Northwest Arkansas and Southern Living Magazine
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (do not use fat-free or the low-fat versions...yuk!)
- 1 jar (4 oz.) diced pimiento, drained
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped green onion
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 (8 oz.) brick of extra-sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 1 (8 oz.) brick of sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded
- Celery sticks, crackers to serve, optional
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, pimiento, Worcestershire sauce, onion and Cayenne pepper. Mix well and set aside. Spread pecan pieces in a single layer onto rimmed cookie sheet and bake in 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes until toasted and fragrant, stirring half-way through. Remove from oven and allow to cool for ten minutes. Stir both of the cheeses into the mayonnaise mixture. (Believe it or not, the texture matters when it comes to Pimiento Cheese Spread, that's why finely shredded and coarsely shredded cheese is used...trust me!) Add cooled pecans to the mixture and blend. Serve with celery sticks and crackers or use to make sandwiches, grilled or toasted. This will keep for a week in the refrigerator.