Southern Favorite

As a child growing up, I always hated Pimento Cheese Sandwiches (and Down South, it is hard to avoid them - served at most bridal showers, baby showers, family gatherings along with chicken salad sandwiches).

I think my hatred with it was my moms recipe, I swear that she made hers with the store bought spread and mixed that with cottage cheese. She hated cottage cheese, but this was the only time I ever saw her eat it. (gross, right?)

So, when I moved to the PNW as an adult and finally met friends and then started having MNO's (Moms Night Out) - I found a love for the light orange spread. It was at one of these MNO's when a girlfriend of mine served Pimento Cheese Sandwiches (she was also a transplant to the PNW). She offered me a sandwich and I promptly refused, 'I hate the stuff', I proclaimed. But she wouldn't let that be...I gave in, tried it and WhatDoYaKnow? It was so good!

I tried making it once and it was awful! (I used Miracle Whip rather than Mayo, it was nasty. I waited for other MNO's to get my fix).

It's gotten better over the years...it had to. My friend moved, I had to figure it out.

This is my recipe, with most of my recipes - everything is to taste (that's helpful, right?).

1 small jar pimentos, I cut mine up a little more.



In a medium bowl, mix together: (here I am using my DBD {Death By Dishwasher} Amish Butter-print Pyrex bowl, turquoise and white, #403 2 1/2 QT)

Pimento
Shredded Sharp Cheese about a LB.
Fresh Ground Pepper
Mayo






It's the Southern way to trim the crust off your regular ol' white bread (this amount will take 1 loaf).



Spread a little of the mix onto 1 side of the bread, top with the other piece and then cut into triangles.



Not for a calorie counter, fat hater or carb hater.

Im not Italian! (not that there is anything wrong w/ that)

Hoss asked me the other day if I was making pasta. My reply to that was 'maybe' (it is something I have always wanted to try).

This is my first and possibly last attempt at making homemade pasta.

I know from watching LOTS of t.v. that in order to make pasta you start with a 'well'. This here is my 'well':

2 cups flour
2 eggs
a little water
a little olive oil
dash of salt

(makes a bunch of pasta)



I know (again, from watching lots of t.v.) that you put all your ingredients in the center and mix, slowing pulling in the edges til you can break it without making a huge mess.



After mixing and kneading I put the ball of dough to the side to 'rest'. It rested for about one and a half hours (I took a little nap - Oops). It developed a little crust on it, but I worked with it anyway.

I cut the ball into fourths and then into eighths. Taking each little piece and rolling it out til I could almost see threw it.



The stuffing mixture was 4 baby portobella (sauteed w/ salt, pepper and garlic powder) , frozen spinach and half ricotta cheese - and salt to taste.






Taking one of the rolled out sheets and placing a dollop of the stuffing mix in the center. With water I went around the pieces (seeing little squares in my head).



I pulled over one side to make little pillows. Pressing down to seal the edges and then cut.



Boiled in salted chicken water (I boiled off some chicken to go along with)...More flavor.



I go through the hassle of making homemade pasta and use store bought Alfredo sauce (sad).



Aaaand..............




So, I made homemade pasta. Probably wouldn't have taken as long had I not stopped to take pictures here and there (hehe, but that's me).

It was time consuming. I am not patient enough to Make. Each. Individual. Pasta Pillow Thingy.

It was good though. In order for me to make it again though...they are going to have to ask real nice like. I am more of a one pot recipe kinda girl.