what is pimento cheese

Pimento cheese is a classic Southern cheddar cheese and pimento pepper dip. It is a spread that is traditionally made with shredded cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimentos. The basic recipe has few ingredients, including sharp cheddar cheese or processed cheese, mayonnaise or salad dressing, and pimentos, blended to either a smooth or chunky paste. However, regional ingredients can include horseradish, cream cheese, salt and pepper, Louisiana-style hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, jalapeños, onions, garlic, and dill pickles. 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, added to grits, or slathered over hamburgers or hotdogs. It can also be served as a cocktail finger food, rolled up and cut into pinwheels, or as a sandwich. Homemade pimento cheese is easy to make and can be customized to suit individual tastes.