Hello Everyone...Have Some Spicy Pimento Cheese

So I have to start out by giving a shout to my friend Sarah Riley, who runs the blog lovebirdfoodies.com, for she is the one that has inspired me to publish my rantings and also recipes.  The general setup of her blog is the food that she and her fiance enjoy.  It's a fantastic read, and the recipes look amazing.  Taking from her lead, I decided to do my own, but from the single person point of view.  I am going to concentrate on simple, awesome, amazing recipes that work well for someone who is just cooking for one.  Also, when available, I am going to pair the recipe with some music, whether its music that I think goes well with the food or just whatever I am listening to at the time.  Now that you have a general idea of what this is going to be, let's get started shall we?

First off, a little background:  I was a cook off and on for over 7 years.  I cooked for a home cooking place in South Carolina, where I learned how to cook soul food, and I cooked for an organic cafe in Nevada, where I learned how to make food that was as beautiful as it was good.  Both of those skills I attribute to my two influences: Tom Chapman and Derek Clinkenbeard.  I hope that with this blog I do those two justice.

Now, for my first post, I want to show you my rendition of the classic southern comfort food:  Pimento Cheese.  Funny story, for years I thought the only kind of pimento cheese was Ruth's spread that you find in those small plastic tubs at the local grocer.  In fact, I almost turned down the opportunity to try REAL pimento cheese while attending some sort of gathering at the Hill residence.  If any one of you reading this has ever attended a Hill family get together, you know there is food a plenty.  The matriarch of the family, Mrs. Jackie Hill, offered me some pimento cheese, and I kindly declined, thinking in my head that I didn't want any of that sweet orange spread that I see in Bi-Lo.  She insisted, so of course, I gave in, and had some of the most amazing home made Pimento cheese ever.  The rest is history.  Now, this isn't her family recipe, but one that I have been using for a couple months.  In fact, there aren't any pimentos in it at all, which is kind of misleading, but I don't know what else to call it.  I also add a good kick to it, hence the spicy in the title. So, there ya go.

Ingredients:

8oz cream cheese

1/4 cup jalapeno sour cream

1/4 cup Duke's mayo (there is only one kind of mayo, and it's Duke's)

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese

2 cups jack cheese

1 can habanero Ro-Tel tomatoes (make sure it's Ro-Tel... I tried to cheat once and use another brand... not a good idea)

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, put the cream cheese in the bottom and spread it out, allowing it to warm up sufficiently to spread.  This step is extremely important.  At this point, I add the salt and pepper, jalapeno sour cream, (which, by the way, who knew such a thing existed?  i'm in love) and the Duke's.  Seriously, if you make this at home, don't you dare sully my beautiful cheese with some other imitation mayo.  Of course it's bad for you, and I don't want to hear it, because anything in moderation is fine.  Just don't eat this cheese every day for a week and you will be fine.  So, with those ingredients in the bowl, stir them up and make sure there are no chunks of cream cheese anywhere.  Next, take the habanero Ro-Tel and drain the entire can as well as you can.  It's imperative to the consistency to have as much liquid out as possible.  This obviously is the pimento replacement, but for those of you who haven't caught that yet, now you know.  Mix that into the mixture well.  Now when I say mix, I use a fork or rubber spreader (what the hell do you call those things?).  Don't mix it with a hand blender or anything like that.  It's messy, and I don't own one, so don't act like you're better than me by whipping yours out and showing off.  Once that's done, mix in all 4 cups of cheese.  Mix together, then refrigerate for about 30 minutes.  Put onto your favorite cracker, even if it is me, and enjoy!

Obviously, you don't have to make it spicy.  Just replace the jalapeno sour cream with regular and use 4 cups of sharp cheddar instead of half and half.  If you do that, please mail me your man card as well, since you are now a woman.

I hope you enjoy my ramblings and this recipe.  Try it out, it seriously is fantastic.  As for the music, the entire Mumford and Sons album is perfect for eating angry, spicy stuff, and here is one of my favorite songs on it. 

Mumford and Sons - Winter Winds