So while my husband & the rest of the men in our families are all hanging out at Augusta National (and bragging with tons of pictures) these next few days, I thought I'd talk about the side of the tourney that I love best: the tradition of The Masters food! Specifically, I'm talking about the much-ballyhooed pimento cheese, properly pronounced "puhmenna" of course.
When anyone says they love the pimento cheese sandwiches of Augusta National I always give them the side-eye. I know immediately they're either a) a Sports Writer desperately seeking relevance through some perceived tradition or b) a Yankee who's clearly never before tasted the Southern delicacy. Because my friends, I've been to countless Masters tournaments over the years and fancy myself a bit of a pimento cheese connoisseur. So I can say with certainty - what's served at Augusta National is not at all good. In fact, it's downright awful and not fit for a dog. Just check out the ingredient list....
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| Augusta National Egg Salad vs Pimento Cheese. |
As I mentioned last year, great pimento cheese spreads are typically perfected over they years and handed down through generations of Southern women. My recipe was originally mixed in my Nana's kitchen and passed onto me as a Christmas present in a memory book of family traditions. But the best indicator of a delicious pimento cheese recipe is that it's made with Duke's mayo and not a single light or fat free ingredient. Ever. Go big or go home, y'all.
2 (8-oz) blocks extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 (8-oz) block mild cheddar cheese, grated
1 (8-oz) brick cream cheese, softened
1 (7-oz) jar diced pimentos, drained
1 sm jar roasted red bell peppers, drained & chopped
2 tsp grated vidalia onion
1/2 cup Duke's mayo
Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste (more pepper than salt)
1/4 tsp cayenne
A dash each of Texas Pete & worcestershire
1. Process or mix together the first 3 ingredients until well blended.
2. Add pimentos & the rest of the ingredients, stirring until incorporated evenly.
3. Add more mayo to get your desired consistency, if needed. Just be sure that it remains thick like a spread, never runny.
4. Cover & chill before serving.
So do y'all have a family pimento cheese recipe? And what's your favorite way to serve this Southern delicacy? If you're not able to attend the Masters this weekend, check out Southern Living's compilation of Food For The Fairway. But if you are indeed headed to Augusta National, stick with their delish Egg Salad or the BBQ sandwiches and don't leave without a couple of mini moon pies :)
18 comments:
This sounds great. Will's cousin has a good pimiento cheese recipe, too, but it doesn't have as many of ingredients as yours so I would like to try yours. What is brick cream cheese?
Are you off work this week?
Where do you stay when you are in Augusta?
Ill have to try this! I used to buy it from my farmer's market in NC, but no one sells it out here. Thanks for the recipe!
I agree completely! I never understood what all the fuss was about. I can't wait to try your recipe!
You know I love pimento cheese. I'm going to have to give your recipe a shot. I've never been able to mix up a good one at home and resort to store-bought, which is never as good as homemade. Although I will say the kind I buy at Costco--Palmetto--is very tasty. In fact, I brought it to make a sandwich for lunch today! I think good mayo and extra sharp (the sharper the better) cheddar cheese are key.
I LOVE pimento cheese. I've actually never made it before. I usually just buy it a high end grocery store. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
I used one of the southern living recipes last year and it was yummy!
That is a disgusting list of ingredients. Bleck! My 'menna and cheese has 7 ingredients - one of which is duke's mayo. My favorite way to eat it is either with fresh tomatoes or grilled with bacon. Guess i know what's for lunch on Saturday!
I am so very happy that you blogged about this!! I have been on the BIGGEST pimento cheese sandwich kick lately, and I needed a good Southern recipe to try! Recipes passed down through families are always the best, definitely making yours!!
Ally I LOVE this post! You had me cracking up while I read. But, you are SO right about the recipes. I'm having a "lesson" from my grandmother this summer when I go home!
would you believe that, after 12 years in tennessee, i still have never tried pimiento cheese?! i need to change that, asap!
How much pimento cheese does this make? Sounds like a lot! But boy, it made my mouth water! Pinning!
Saw your blog from Leigh's site at Hines-Sight, and came to check it out! I was cracking up reading your post! The best pimiento cheese sandwich I've ever had was made by my parents friends who live in Aiken, SC, close to Augusta. Her's has a major kick to it...it's spicy and awesome! In fact, I'll be eating it next week at the Heritage Golf Tourney in HHI. My parents live on the course and it's the "Spring Break" for the PGA, after their "finals", the Masters!
I do love myself a good pimento cheese- Marti's At Midday here in Athens makes the best I've ever eaten- ever. (you should stop by when you're in town soon!) Don't know the secret, but I know it's good.
And that's hilarious about the Master's pimento cheese- I'm sure people just SAY it's good, bc it's from well, the Masters. It probably costs an arm and a leg to buy as well. So cool your hubby is at the Masters- my husband would give anything to step foot out there with our 2 boys one day. We're hoping our 6 yr old will become the PGA golfer...dreams can come true right??
Thanks for this recipe- sounds delicious!!
I'm stopping by to show my love for Pimento Cheese! Now I'm hungry...and it's 9:40 am! ;)
I can't wait to try this recipe. I love pimento cheese but I don't have a passed down recipe so this will come in handy. I do have a cherished chicken salad recipe though. If you do too you should share that as well. Nothing says southern like pimento cheese and chicken salad.
How do I take my pimento cheese? Let me count the ways. Grilled Cheese style, on ritz crackers, stuffed in cherry tomatoes, on a hamburger. I have some store bought in my fridge because the recipes I have are enough to feed an army, not just for a sandwich or quick dip. My friend made some with jalapeños this summer that was delish. Great post!
Oh how I LOVE Pimento Cheese. LOVE IT! I grew up mostly eating it at my mamaw and papaw's house growing up so it reminds me of Saturday's spent at their house and eating lunch in their kitchen. My sister gave me a great recipe a for pimento cheese a couple years ago. And I agree... full on Dukes or go home. As if there is another type of Mayo. ;-)
The recipe from my Memaw is VERY similar and I was given the same instruction. It's Dukes mayonnaise and the fat is what makes it taste good.
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