Pimento cheese

Last updated
Pimento cheese
Southern pimento cheese.jpg
Pimento cheese served in a bowl
Type Spread
Place of originUnited States
Main ingredients Cheddar cheese or processed cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos

Pimento cheese (or pimiento cheese) is a spread typically made of cheese, mayonnaise, and pimentos and is typically served on crackers and vegetables or in sandwiches.

Contents

Although the recipe has its origins in the northern United States, it is generally most closely associated with the cuisine of the Southern United States and has been referred to as the "pâté of the South" and "the caviar of the South." Pimento cheese sandwiches have a long history as a concession at the Masters golf tournament; Southern Living called it one of "the iconic foods" of the tournament. Sports Illustrated called it "a representation of the sport's history and its traditions".

There are ingredient variations among family recipe, commercial recipe, and regional versions.

Origins and history

The dish has its origins in the Northern United States in the early 20th century as a homemade snack spread created by mixing chopped pimiento peppers with soft cheese such as Neufchatel or cream cheese. [1] [2] A 1908 Good Housekeeping recipe called for soft cream cheese and minced pimentos. [2] In 1909, Eva Green Fuller's Up-to-Date Sandwich Book included a recipe calling for pimentos and Neufchatel. [2] By 1910 commercial versions had appeared, and ads appeared in parts of the north. [2] According to food writer Robert F. Moss, writing in Serious Eats, through the period until World War II, the spread "was mentioned in hundreds of newspaper stories and advertisements, but none of them describe it as being in any way a Southern thing". [2]

Original recipes called for canned Spanish pimentos, which were expensive; southern famers began growing pimentos to supply a less-expensive product. [2] Southern cooks adapted the recipe using hoop cheese and mayonnaise. [1]

After World War II, the popularity of the dish decreased in most of the US but kept its popularity in the south; it was not well-known outside that region. By the early 2000s, according to Moss, "an increasing number of Southern writers and chefs started celebrating the humble spread they remembered being made by their mothers, grandmothers, and aunts, and they started publishing recipes for it and even putting in on restaurant menus". [2]

Ingredients and preparation

The basic pimento cheese recipe has few ingredients, typically grated cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and chopped pimentos (also known as pimientos), mixed into a chunky paste. [3]

Regional ingredients include horseradish, cream cheese, salt and pepper, Louisiana-style hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, jalapeños, onions, garlic, and dill pickles. [3] [4] Family recipes often vary the ingredients. [5]

Serving

Pimento cheese can be served as a spread on crackers or celery, scooped onto corn chips or tortilla chips, mixed in with mashed yolks for deviled eggs, [6] added to grits, used as a topping for hamburgers or hotdogs. [7]

The spread is often served as a sandwich filling, sometimes as a cocktail finger food (with crusts trimmed, garnished with watercress, and cut into triangles) or rolled up and cut into pinwheels.[ citation needed ]

Cultural importance

Pimento cheese is most closely associated with Southern cuisine and has been referred to as the "pâté of the South", "Carolina caviar" and "the caviar of the South." [8] [9]

Pimento cheese sandwiches have a long history at the Masters Tournament. [10] [11] They have been served there as a concession since the 1940s. [12] [13] Southern Living called the sandwich one of "the iconic foods of the Masters". [14] Minor controversy ensued in 2013 when the Augusta National Golf Club switched food suppliers for the Masters and the new supplier was unable to duplicate the recipe used by the previous supplier, resulting in a sandwich with a markedly different taste. [15] Sports Illustrated called the sandwich "legendary" and "more than a food option – it’s a representation of the sport's history and its traditions". [13]

According to Southern Living, Rosalynn Carter once made pimento cheese sandwiches on a plane, handing them out to her grandchildren and other nearby passengers. [16]

Similar dishes

A similar dish using queso de bola is known in the Philippines, where it is referred to as "cheese pimiento". [17] [18] A cheese ball is also a similar dish. [19] [20]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Sifton, Sam (2015-04-14). "A Field Guide to the American Sandwich". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Moss, Robert (2015-02-04). "True origin of Pimento Cheese". Serious Eats .
  3. 1 2 Bryan, Wright (17 January 2007). "Pimento Cheese: It's A Southern Thing". NPR.
  4. "Pimento Cheese Dip That Southerners Love (Kids Too!)". Southern Eats & Goodies. 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  5. Hayes, Hannah (13 November 2023). "These Two Things Will Change How You Make Pimento Cheese". Southern Living . Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  6. "Pimiento Cheese: One of Life's Simple Pleasures". Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  7. Bryan, Wright (17 January 2007). "Pimento Cheese: It's A Southern Thing". NPR. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  8. Popik, Barry (2015-02-04). "Caviar of the South (pimento cheese)".
  9. "Serve Carolina Caviar (Pimento Cheese) For the Game". HuffPost . 2010-01-20.
  10. "Perfecting pimento: gourmet gives us our own recipe". Golf Digest. 2003.
  11. "Augusta Georgia: Features:Pimiento cheese is soul food of the South 04/14/02" . Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  12. "The Rich, Creamy, Piquant History of the Masters' Pimento Cheese Sandwich". InsideHook . Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  13. 1 2 Benson, Pat (2024-03-18). "Under Armour Drops Pimento Cheese-Inspired Masters Collection". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  14. Overdeep, Meghan (5 March 2024). "Augusta National's "Taste of the Masters" Hosting Kits Are Back". Southern Living . Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  15. Thompson, Wright (April 11, 2013). "A sandwich stumper at the Masters". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  16. Overdeep, Meghan (28 November 2023). "Rosalynn Carter, Ultimate Southern Grandma, Once Made Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches On A Plane". Southern Living . Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  17. "Homemade Cheese Pimiento - Recipe - Yummy.ph" . Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  18. "Cheese Pimiento Sandwich Spread". 22 February 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  19. Russell, Jennifer (30 January 2014). "Respect the cheese ball: It's the perfect party food". The Splendid Table . Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  20. Johnson, Emily (2019-02-12). "The Most Fun Kind of Party is a Cheese Ball Party". Epicurious . Retrieved 2024-03-23.