Earlier this year, I was having dinner with a friend when the topic of conversation turned to food. {This is not unusual, seeing as how most of our conversations end up being about food.} I was saying how my mother and I had just recently discovered the glory that is the grilled pimento cheese sandwich – made with my great-grandmother’s homemade pimento cheese recipe, of course. At this point my friend looked at me and said, “Wait a minute. You can make pimento cheese? I thought it only came from a jar.”
That statement took a minute to sink in. Pimento cheese out of a jar? After a bit of research {nerd alert}, I realized that she was referring to this. Friends, this may be a controversial statement, but that is not real pimento cheese.
Real pimento cheese is a Southern staple, and there are about as many recipe variations as there are opinionated Southern grandmothers, but – in general – it is a spread made up of sharp cheddar cheese, chopped pimentos, and mayo. Some recipes, such as my great-grandmother’s, may use additional ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, but those first three components are fairly consistent. Of course, there are a few people who use cream cheese in their pimento cheese, but I’m fairly certain that this idea would make my great-grandmother turn in her grave, so I personally stick to the basics.
I grew up eating pimento cheese sandwiches – literally, just pimento cheese and some slices of fresh tomato between two slices of bread – but for some reason it never occurred to my family to turn our pimento cheese into grilled cheese until recently.
Fools.
I am so glad to have seen the light. Grill all the cheese!
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped jarred pimentos
- ½-1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Slices of your favorite crusty bread
- Butter
- Make the pimento cheese: In a bowl, stir together the cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, and Worcestershire sauce until combined. Start by adding ½ teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, and increase to up to 1 teaspoon as desired.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Spread a few tablespoons of the pimento cheese spread on a slice of bread. Top with a second slice, spread the top of the sandwich with butter, and place in the heated skillet, butter-side down. Spread butter on what is now the top slice of bread, and cook until the sandwich is golden brown on both sides, flipping halfway, for a total of 3-4 minutes. Cut in half and serve with your favorite tomato soup.
Seeded Flatbread Crackers | Eat Your Heart Out
Sunday 15th of June 2014
[…] Greek Yogurt Dip from La Terra Fina. I have a feeling that my future dipping needs will include homemade pimento cheese. I will warn you, however, not to think too much about your dipping needs, as this turns into a […]
Kalyan
Monday 23rd of September 2013
Just mouthwatering...looks delicious!
Ann
Thursday 19th of September 2013
Mmmm I love a good grilled cheese. I have never had pimento cheese, but I have seen that stuff in a jar. I thought that's what it was! And that's why I was really kind of confused at the end of the Food Network Star finale lol. Thanks for showing me the light. Looks amazing!
Stephie
Thursday 19th of September 2013
I am always happy to spread the good news of pimento cheese! ;-)
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
Thursday 19th of September 2013
I love pimento cheese on crackers, but have never tried it this way! Looks amaaaazing!
Stephie
Thursday 19th of September 2013
Pimento cheese on a cracker/pita chip is also an acceptable option. Although the melty cheese thing? Um YES.
Amy @Very Culinary
Thursday 19th of September 2013
This. I must have this. Be still my ever lovin' grilled cheese heart.
Stephie
Thursday 19th of September 2013
I mean, you really can't go wrong with the worlds "grilled" and "cheese" in the same phrase, can you?