Southern Summer Sandwich

Pimento Cheese with Hot Pepper Jelly and if you want to go all the way, Bacon.  


Warning: This is southern comfort food, NOT health food.

You can purchase ready-made pimento cheese spread in any grocery store in the south, but if you happen to live elsewhere in the country, you may not be so fortunate.  So you make your own.  I like to make my own anyway.  It's better.

Here's how:
Grate a pound of extra sharp cheddar cheese.  You can use sharp if you want, but I love extra sharp.

Add a jar of pimentos, drained.  In case you don't know, pimentos are those red things that in the middle of olives.  The only way I've ever seen them sold is in a tiny little jar.  Use two if you like pimentos, but be sure you drain them.

Add a dash of hot sauce. Garlic, too, if you like.

Stir it all together with enough mayonnaise to blend.  Not too much.  That's why homemade is better.  You can cut the mayo.

Now for the sandwich.  You will need this ... Hot Pepper Jelly.  In the south, you can find this in the grocery store, too.  I don't know about other places.  But if you can't find it and you really want to make this sandwich, you could, of course, make your own.  I haven't done that yet, but I am planning to copy my friend, Amber, and make Jalapeño Strawberry Jam.  Anyway, whether you buy it or make, spread some of your hot, sweet, spicy pepper jelly or jam on a piece of good bread.  Sourdough is especially nice.

Then spread your pimento cheese.  If you are being decadent, fry up some bacon (you could use turkey bacon if you want to feel slightly more virtuous) and add a couple of slices to your sandwich.  Spread the pepper jelly on the top slice of bread and enjoy the best sandwich you've had in a while.  Sweet tea is optional.

NPR's pimento cheese recipe.  I'll have to try this one for Matthew who loves pickles in all forms.