Name: Smoked Pimento Cheese
Total time: 25 min
Yield: Serves 12 (Makes about 3 cups)
Ingredients: 2/3 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 8 ounces yellow sharp cheddar cheese; 8 ounces smoked cheddar cheese; 1/3 cup pimentos, patted dry and minced

Why This Recipe Works

Equally at home with a sleeve of saltines or melted on a burger or grilled cheese sandwich, pimento cheese is a flavorful spread of cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos. We use sharp cheddar and smoked cheddar for their moderately intense flavor and creamy consistency and shred them with both the large and small holes of a box grater to give the cheese a cohesive yet chunky consistency. A couple of tablespoons of cream cheese keep the mixture spreadable, even right out of the fridge, and a ratio of 2/3 cup mayo to 1 pound cheese adds a tangy punch and creamy texture. Some Worcestershire and lemon juice add brightness and depth without overpowering the cheese.

Before You Begin

You will need one 4-ounce jar of pimentos for this recipe. Yellow cheddar cheese is traditional, but you can substitute white cheddar cheese. Use the pimento cheese as a sandwich spread or serve it with crackers or crudités.

Instructions

Whisk mayonnaise, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and cayenne together in large bowl.

Shred sharp cheddar on large holes of box grater. Shred smoked cheddar on small holes of box grater. Stir pimentos and both cheeses into mayonnaise mixture until thoroughly combined. Serve. (Pimento cheese will keep refrigerated for at least 1 week.)