Pimento Cheese

This is what Brent asked for last year for his birthday present.  No tools, no hunting gear, just a double batch of pimento cheese and some center cut bacon on the side.  It is THAT good, people!

And it's really easy to make.  It requires no food processor or equipment, other than an oven and a cheese grater.   This pimento cheese is perfect on crackers as an appetizer or snack, or you can use it to make AWESOME sandwiches.  This recipe makes a small batch, so you may want to double it.  It goes fast!

Ingredients:

8 oz block extra sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup light mayo

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup jalapeno slices, roughly chopped

1/2 Tbsp liquid from jalapeno jar

1 4 oz jar diced pimentos, drained

1/2 Tbsp sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Place pecans on a cutting board.

Now give them a chop.

Transfer pecans to a cookie sheet and bake 8 minutes, stirring halfway through.  When finished toasting, place in the fridge to speed the cooling process.

Next, shred your block of cheese.

 Into a large mixing bowl, place the cheese and the mayo.

Now give your jalapenos a rough chop.

Toss the jalapenos and pimentos into your bowl with the cheese.  Also add the jalapeno juice and sugar.

 Once the pecans are cooled, toss them in.

Now give it all a stir.  Glorious!

Now this part is important.  Don't eat it all immediately!  It's a lot better if it sits in the fridge overnight.  It all kinda comes together, the flavors combine, and it becomes cheesy, creamy perfection.

But I will not lie to you and say I didn't have a couple crackers full right away.

 And here's what you do if you really want to do it up right.  Spread a thick layer of the cheese onto a slice of bread.

And add a couple slices of crispy center cut bacon...

Then add a tomato, and top with another slice of bread...

And there you have it!  The most delicious sandwich in the world.  Or at least top three.

I hope you'll give this a try!  Enjoy!

I'm Back

Finally! We moved and it took over the world.  Or at least my life.  I apologize to my fans (ahem, fan).  Here is what's been happening since I've been gone.

Here's our new house.  Hooray!

Here are some lovely canna lilies that are in bloom in the garden in our new back yard.

Here's the Marls enjoying her favorite past time - laying in the sun.  It's one of many common interests we share.

Here is a humongous BLT + avocado sandwich I made/ate.  I've been eating a lot of these lately.  I can't WAIT until tomato time.  Almost there!

Here is a picture of me working from home.  Yep, so that's what that looks like...

Here are some beautiful roses that are blooming in the backyard.  So pretty and very bright!

This is a banana pudding I made on Friday.  Even Brent liked it, although he claimed to not like bananas in his banana pudding?!?  I don't know.  I'm just as confused as you are.

And sadly, I come to the final picture.  It's not all banana pudding and flowers up in here.  This, my friends, is the current state of my living room.

EEEEEK!  Yes, that is a hole in the wall above the fireplace, and thank you for noticing.  And yes, that is another large hole to the right of the fireplace.  I have been promised there will soon be a TV mounted above the fireplace, and that all holes will soon be gone, patched, and you'll never know they were there.  I sure hope so.  I'm a tad nervous.  

Well that pretty much sums it up.  I will resume sharing recipes now.  Just in time for my fan to have a baby and not have time to cook anything.  Sorry Sister.