For the past few weeks, I have craved Mom’s pimento cheese spread. I had looked for the pimentos and could not find them so I would give up. Then walking down the aisle I saw something new–Velveeta with sharp cheddar flavor!
Now I knew I had to make pimento cheese because that was a new flavor and I thought it could really top the taste chart for my family. So, I searched again–and I found the pimentos hiding down low in an entirely different location, but sadly a store brand. Still I was determined to make Mom’s pimento cheese spread.
I pulled out my recipe:
Sorry about the appearance, but this is a little spiral I keep of some very important recipes and I just can’t seem to give it up. The vintage look of the page shows how much I return to these recipes over the years.
But, there it is. Create a custard, add the cheese, melt it, and then add the pimentos.
Yes, I make some notes, and you can see that I learned the hard way about adding real cheddar cheese. The flavor would be good, but it just does not work. That is the reason why I was so excited to find the new flavor of Velvet. I am going to have to add the 2018 note about it now.
Making pimento cheese always seemed like a major challenge, but not this time. I pulled out the ingredients, turned on the stove, and in no time it was done. And the flavor–wow!
And yes, I did add a few slices of American cheese to keep the spread a bit more stiff. Still the spread works great on bread, toast, crackers, and celery (don’t try potato chips unless kettle cooked or wavy because it is too stiff for that to work).
The final product is so yummy and I know Mom would be proud.
I keep thinking how good this will be added to some sandwiches, too. In Atlanta, I found a sandwich that included pimento cheese and never thought about adding it to a classic sandwich.
Maybe it is the time of year, but just the process of making this family treat certainly picked up my spirits. Typically I move into November filled with dread, but making this treat brought a little special joy into my November 1 day.
As we enter into these last two months of the year, family connections color our moods. Stopping once in a while to capture memories can be a positive, yet I am reminded how many in our world do not have the warm-fuzzy memories like mine.
Maybe sharing this recipe with others is one way I can help build new memories for others. This is not too difficult, but one major warning–you must stir while it is thickening because it scorches very easily. It also spits terribly if you have it too hot and it boils.
This time I was amazed how quickly it started thickening and when it started to spit, I turned it down to a low setting while I added the chunks of cheese and kept stirring while it melted.
And believe me, the aroma when you add in the chopped pimentos just lift one’s spirits! I should have made a bowl of tomato soup, too. That would have topped off my kitchen time.
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