It’s pretty clear that we love pimento cheese around here. I mean this is the second pimento cheese recipe I have posted in less than a year. Pimento cheese is a staple in most southern households and growing up, you usually could find pimento cheese or chicken salad in the fridge at my house. But I never really was a fan of pimento cheese until after I was pregnant. It is so strange how your tastes can change after having a baby! Now I can’t get enough…clearly.
Pimento cheese has to have a kick in our house, and I love the smoky flavor of chipotles. It gives the pimento cheese so much flavor and a lot of spice. Warning: this recipe is spicy so adjust the chipotle flavor to your liking in your mayo. I often snack on this straight out of the fridge with crackers but it is equally delicious grilled between two slices of hearty bread. A gooey, yummy warm winter comfort food.
What is your favorite way to eat pimento cheese?
Chipotle Pimento Cheese
1 lb sharp yellow cheddar cheese
1 lb pepper jack cheese (I used Hatch chile jack cheese)
1/2 cup good quality cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup grated red onion
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup diced pimentos
2 Tbl parsley, chopped
1 cup chipotle mayo or more to taste (see below)
Chopped chives (optional)
Chipotle Mayo
{makes about 2.5 cups}
2 cups good quality mayo
1 cup greek yogurt
zest of one lime
juice of one lime
4 chipotle chilis in adobo sauce + 2 Tbl adobo sauce (or more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
To make Chipotle Mayo:
Blend chipotles, lime, cumin and salt in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add mayo and greek yogurt and pulse until smooth. Put in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks.
To make Chipotle Pimento Cheese:
Grate your cheese using a box grater or the grating blade of your food processor. This is a critical step, you MUST grate your own cheese to get the right consistency for pimento cheese! In a large bowl, mix cheeses, red onion, garlic powder, salt, parsley, and pimentos. Mix in chipotle mayo until you get the consistency that you like. Garnish with chopped chives and serve!
