Pimiento Cheese Spread is a common food that’s served in the Southern United States. The main ingredients in Pimiento Cheese are Pimiento Peppers that are also called Cherry Peppers. Some of the other common ingredients are sharp cheddar cheese and mayonnaise.

The pimiento peppers are also known as cherry peppers are the bigger heart shaped peppers that are more sweet and more aromatic than red bell peppers.  The cherry peppers I used are smaller jarred peppers that are sweet and spicy.

I didn’t want to make a traditional pimiento cheese spread that is extremely high in fat so I did a few things different but came out with a tasty spread that seems full fat.

Jarred hot/sweet cherry peppers were used. They are very flavorful, a little sweet and a little heat. They are  fruity delicious peppers. They give the spread zig and a little heat.

Instead of real cheddar cheese I went with fat free cheddar and saved a bunch of fat here. I do note you are welcome to substitute half or all full fat cheese if the fat content doesn’t bother you and your spread will taste better than mine. I also used Neufchatel Cheese that is 30% less fat than cream cheese. Only the most minimal amount of low fat mayonnaise was used.  Don’t worry I added enough spices and seasoning so you will not be missing a thing as the recipe is written.

You are welcome to convert some or all the fat free and reduced fat ingredients or use full fat  mayonnaise. The taste and mouth feel will be improved and I warn you that your butt and tummy might expand a bit as well.

My recipe is not an authentic Southern American Pimiento Spread. This recipe is a very reduced fat spread that has a similar taste to pimento cheese.

Ingredients makes about 16 servings

8oz fat free cheddar – shredded (I used a block I could shred) (This cheese can be purchased at Whole Foods and Sprouts)

12 hot/sweet jarred cherry peppers chopped + 2 Tablespoons of the brine from the cherry peppers (Sprouts and Trader Joes sells these peppers) (if your on the East Coast you won’t have any trouble finding these peppers)

1 garlic clove grated

8oz neufchâtel cheese (look for this cheese in the cream cheese section. I used the Philadelphia Brand)

2 Tablespoons dijon mustard

4 Tablespoons low fat mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 Tablespoons scallions chopped

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

fresh ground sea salt to taste

fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Just blend with your stick blender and your done. I note styles of pimento cheese differ and differ in texture. (you might like yours very chunky so you can mix in your shredded sharp cheddar cheese at the end)

People use this similar kind of cheese on burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and with fried green tomatoes. I like this spread on vegetable crisps but I also admit this spread might be better rolled up on a tortilla and topped with a chunk of Chef Thomas Keller’s Favorite Blue Ribbon Pickles (recipe on site).

Forking Good and it won’t cause rapid butt and stomach growth!