RECIPE

Pimento Cheese

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 6

Holeman & Finch Public House, Atlanta

Chef Linton Hopkins uses locally grown pimientos (heart-shaped sweet red peppers), which he cans himself, in this luxurious spread, an old Southern favorite.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 6
  • MAKE-AHEAD
  • VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

  • 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

Directions

  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.