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.

Cheese Crackers

It started out a couple weeks ago. I tried making cheese crackers (goldfish, minus the 'fish'). I figured I could do it like our grandmothers did umpteen years ago, by hand, with a bowl, a wooden spoon and elbow grease = fail. Were crackers around back then? I only ask because it was just so difficult.

So, determined Not to waste...I covered the dough I did make and stuck it in the freezer til I was able to get my hands on a food processor.

That day was yesterday. :)

I pulled the dough out of the freezer and let it come to room temp.

I assembled my new 'toy' (after washing). The hardest part was assembling the dang thang (southern twang, sorry...that's how I say it in my head).

I put in the machine and had to add extra water to get it to ball up like it was spose too.

2 c flour
2 c cheese
touch salt and pepper
3-4 TBS water til it balls just right.
Put in the fridge to rest for 24 hrs.
Pull out, roll (I had to do mine in several batches).
Cut to desired shape.
Sprinkle w/ salt.
Bake 350 for 16 min.











They kept puffing up like little pillows, so I stabbed them with a fork.



Tasty, huh?



They are good, but could be better. Add a little more cheese. Sprinkle with salt before baking and I think they would be PERFECT.