A New Take on Pimento Cheese Using Red Leicester Cheese

Trader Joe's Red Leicester Cheese

As I was checking out at Trader Joe's this afternoon with my cream cheese and roasted red peppers in a jar, the checkout guy asked what I was making.  I told him pimento cheese.  He asked if I had ever used their Red Leicester cheese.  He said it made the best pimento cheese.  So I brought some home. Sure enough it makes great pimento cheese and so easy.

Trader Joe's Red Leicester Cheese has a hint of chili and a lot of red bell pepper.  The cheese is also somewhat softer than regular cheddar cheese that I normally use for making pimento cheese.  I grated a half pound of the Leicester and added about 3 to 4 ounces of cream cheese and blended these in the food processor.  I added enough mayonnaise to make it the consistency I like.  This was quick, easy and very tasty.

Grate the Red Leicester Cheese.  Notice the red bell pepper is quite abundant. 

Add the cream cheese and blend in food processor. 

Add enough mayo for desired consistency. 

I like pimento cheese on Graham Crackers and also on slices of apples.  We had these as appetizers before our dinner tonight.

This is good spread on Graham Crackers. 

Or on apple slices.  

If you have a Trader Joe's, you might like to try this.

Ava's Graduation/Livermush Party

A plate of nicely fried livermush.

My friend Ava graduated on Saturday from WTCC and in honor of her graduation she threw a Livermush Party.  I grew up in Cleveland County and Ava grew up in the next county over, Rutherford., so we both know all about livermush.  Our counties are known for the best livermush in North Carolina.  I think of livermush as the pate' of the South.

Ava has a degree in journalism from UNC and she is a professional photographer, nevertheless she went back to school at Wake Tech and got a degree in graphic design.  I have followed her work with great interest, and I must say her work is amazing.

Pizza with livermush.

Livermush was at the center of the party, including a livermush pizza.  Or livermush with homemade pimento cheese.  Or livermush on banana nut bread.

The cake honored Ava's induction into Phi Theta Kappa honor society. 

It was a fun party with a group of congenial folks. 

Ava's party. (Photo by Julian Barlow)

Catherine, Khai, and Heather perusing Ava's portfolio.

Ava (Photo by Julian Barlow).

Dan is having fun at the party.

Ava's husband, Bill. (Photo by Julian Barlow).

Ava's son Woody.

Ava's son Julian and Catherine Stelpflug.

Now I need to find an excuse to have a livermush party. 

To see the marvelous job Ava can do check out her online portfolio.

Southern Style Pimento Cheese

Southern Pimento Cheese

Actually I suppose all pimento cheese is Southern.  Here's a simple recipe of pimento cheese that is good for serving on crackers, topping a homemade pizza,  or for making a grilled pimento cheese sandwich.  I'm going to a "livermush party"  next week, and I'll take some pimento cheese that will be good to add to a livermush sandwich.

Here's the recipe for Southern Pimento Cheese:

Southern Pimento Cheese

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup Duke’s mayonnaise

¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)

1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimento, drained or 4 ounces grilled sweet pepper

Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

Place the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayo, cayenne pepper, and pimento in the large bowl of a mixer.  Beat at medium speed with paddle until thoroughly combined.  Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

 

Use a good extra sharp Cheddar.

Duke's mayo is a must for this.

I used half of this jar of grilled peppers.

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl of mixer until blended.

Ready to enjoy.

If you've only tried the commercial pimento cheese, I suggest making your own.  It's less expensive and it is ever so much better.