Drucilla’s Little Helpers - Homemade Pimento Cheese

Last weekend there was a chill in the air. What happens when there is a chill? You make chili! And that’s just what I did with homemade pimento cheese.

It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to make and is so much fresher tasting than store bought.

Ingredients

2 cups freshly grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes and softened at room temperature
7 ounces pimento peppers, well drained
1/2 cup Dukes mayonnaise (Dukes is a traditional Southern thing, it does not contain sugar either)

The following are optional:

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, decrease or omit if sensitive to spice
1/2 small jalapeño pepper, ribs and seeds removed and minced, about 1 tablespoon; omit if sensitive to spice
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salt to taste

Directions

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine all ingredients and mix with a mixer or a sturdy spoon or spatula. Beat until thoroughly mixed. I like a little texture, or you can make it smooth.

Pimento cheese is a favorite sandwich or a dip with vegetables, especially celery.

I don’t use pre-shredded cheese, which is covered in powder that mutes the flavor and interferes with the creamy texture.

Not all recipes include cream cheese. If you don’t use it, add a little additional mayonnaise. Sometimes I omit the spices and use a tablespoon of pickle relish, either sweet or dill.

I used jarred peppers. When I was growing up, our family used to go pick red peppers. We chopped and canned them, especially for pimento cheese.

If you have a recipe to share, just call me at 931-510-1349 or email me at raydrucilla@gmail.com.

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep? Like I did this morning about 2 a.m.

Let me pass along a tip.

Rest isn’t about having everything figured out; it’s about having a God who sees us, knows us and loves us. A Father who understands what we need and stays with us whether we’re awake or asleep.

Good night.