Recipe - Yankee Pimento Cheese

One of the things we've always enjoyed most about traveling is sampling the local cuisine. Most of the time it's been delicious! So, when we moved from Maine to North Carolina in 2013, we set about getting acquainted with East Carolina barbeque, shrimp 'n' grits, and of course, pimento cheese.

Eventually we decided to try our hands at homemade pimento cheese. We quickly discovered there are many variations out there. We prefer ours on the firm side and we like a bit of heat to add some excitement. Here's the result of our experimentation.

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

The photo below shows it just made - it needs to be refrigerated 4-6 hours to firm up.

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet 

RECIPE:
Ingredients
3 oz. cream cheese
1/2 C Duke's mayonnaise*
2-3 oz. goat cheese
2 1/2 C sharp cheddar cheese, grated
4 oz. pimentos, diced and drained well
6-10 drops Sriracha
Pinch of chipotle powder
1 tsp minced fresh chives (you're right, they aren't shown in the photo, we've added them since this original post and we love them!)

Directions
1. Whip cream cheese and goat cheese in mixing bowl
2. Blend in mayonnaise
3. Blend in grated cheese, Sriracha, and chipotle powder
4. Stir in pimentos
5. Chill in covered container until ready for use

*Yes, you MUST use Duke's for this to be considered remotely acceptable fare at a Southern gathering

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

Here's one for you...

© Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

Now, we've seen recipes using less cream cheese and more mayo, a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack, no Sriracha, no chipotle, and with garlic...the variations are endless. If you're a Pimento Cheese aficionado, what do you put in yours? Or is it one of those top secret, passed-down-through-generations recipes?

Thank you for visiting Quince Cottage. We hope we'll see you again soon! That goes for Buster and Daisy too!

Daisy & Buster © Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

Quince Cottage Design Mantra: Create a beautiful, comfortable home that reflects your unique style and personality. 
In our own place, patina is valued, rustic rubs shoulders with opulent (we call this "Agrarian Chic"), and you're sure to get a terrier-style welcome! And probably a plate of crackers with Pimento Cheese!