Ingredients:

  • oz Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, block form, cold, grated
  • oz Full-fat Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
  • /3 cup High-quality Mayonnaise
  • /2 cup Jarred Pimentos, chopped and drained very thoroughly
  • /2 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • /4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • /2 teaspoon Hot Sauce (e.g., Tabasco, or to taste)
  • /4 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
  • /4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper (or to taste)

Instructions:

  1. Grate the cold cheddar cheese using the large holes of a box grater. Place the freshly grated cheese into the large mixing bowl.
  2. In the medium bowl, mash the room-temperature cream cheese with a spatula or fork until smooth and fluffy.
  3. Add mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture. Mix until the base is homogenous and silky smooth.
  4. Whisk in the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated.
  5. Pour the seasoned cream cheese mixture over the grated cheddar cheese.
  6. Gently fold the mixture together using a spatula until just combined. Avoid over-mixing; you want to maintain visible strands of cheese.
  7. Taste the spread and adjust salt, pepper, or hot sauce as necessary. Remember the flavor will deepen upon chilling.
  8. Transfer the pimento cheese to an airtight container. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (preferably 4 hours) to allow the flavors to marry and the texture to firm up.