Pimento Cheese

• MAKE-AHEAD
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 3 medium red bell peppers
2. 5 ounces sharp yellow cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded (2 cups)
3. 4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 cup), softened
4. 1/4 cup mayonnaise
5. 1 tablespoon juice from a jar of bread and butter pickles (optional)
6. 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco
7. Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
8. Saltine crackers, for serving

1. Light a grill or preheat the broiler. Set the bell peppers over a hot fire or under the broiler and cook, turning, until charred all over. Transfer the bell peppers to a plate and let cool.
2. Peel the roasted peppers and discard the cores and seeds. Cut the peppers into 1/8-inch dice and pat dry with paper towels.
3. In a medium bowl, mix the diced peppers with the cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pickle juice and Tabasco and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with crackers.