While I love living in Upstate New York, there are some things I really miss about the South. Sweet tea is basically a culture in and of itself. The pace of life is much more relaxed. The weather (of course). And Pimento-Cheese Spread. I remember seeing Pimento-Cheese Spread for the first time at a local Publix and thinking that it looked interesting. I bought some and when I got home spread it on a cracker (in law school that was basically called dinner). I took one bite and knew I wanted a long-term relationship.
The glorious phenomenon that is Pimento-Cheese Spread is sadly not sold in any grocery store near my house, so I was forced to make it myself (which wasn’t really a bad thing at all). This recipe is my version…I replace a lot of the mayo with Greek yogurt, which makes it a little healthier and gives it a nice tang, so I omit the vinegar that is usually added. If you like a little less tang, feel free to increase the amount of mayo and decrease the Greek yogurt.
I used the spread to make finger sandwiches, but it’s also incredible on crackers or spread on a slice of bread and broiled until the cheese melts.
Pimento-Cheese Finger Sandwiches
(Yield: 8 sandwiches)
16 thin slices of bread (I used Monks’)
Pimento-Cheese Spread (see below)
Pimento-Cheese Spread (Makes about 1 2/3 c cheese spread):
8 oz extra sharp Cheddar, shredded (I like to use orange Cheddar in this recipe for the color)
1 (4 oz) jar chopped pimentos, drained (juices reserved)
1/4 c Greek yogurt
2 TB mayo
1 TB pimento juice
1/2 tsp each honey, dry mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
For the Pimento-Cheese Spread: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayo, pimento juice, honey, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a large bowl stir together the cheese, pimentos, and yogurt mixture; season to taste with cayenne pepper.
For the Sandwiches: Thinly spread 2 TB of Pimento-Cheese Spread on each of 4 slices of bread (make sure there is just a thin layer of filling, since finger sandwiches shouldn’t be overstuffed; you should have about 2/3 c of cheese spread leftover). Top with the remaining bread. Cut off the crusts and cut the sandwiches in half on the diagonal.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
I actually did make pimiento cheese the day after I read your post and it SUCKED. I didn’t use your recipe but I should have b/c mine wasn’t anything like what I remembered eating as a kid. Phooey! I still have half a jar of pimientos so I’m gonna make another batch soon.
Thanks for linking this up to Meatless Mondays. I love it as much this time, as when I looked at it, my last visit to An Edible Mosaic.
My grandparents LOVE pimento-cheese! thank you for sharing
Katherine
Sorry I haven’t commented in a while, I was in a “I-don’t-feel-lile-cooking” funk last week, but I am better now! These look really good!!!
I had to tell ya, Faith, the same day I read your pimento cheese recipe, I also read about pimento cheese in a cute little book called Ham Biscuits, Hostess Gowns, and Other Southern Specialties by Julia Reed. Then I saw pimento cheese in the grocery store — mind you until I read your post a day or two ago, I’d never heard of pimento cheese at all (even though my mama’s from the south)! So I took it as a sign and made me up a batch yesterday based on a Craig Claiborne recipe from the book I mentioned (it’s similar to yours, only it uses chopped green onions, lemon juice, Worcestershire and Tabasco as some of the flavoring). It was yummo! Thanks for being a huge part of introducing me to this new little treat :)
Something abt pimiento cheese delights me to no end. Esp the fact that the crust has been neatly sliced off. The filling, of course, makes it TERRIFIC!
I love pimento spread! And your cute tea sandwiches! I’m so impressed you made you’re own. I bet it was much better than store-bought. These would of been perfect with my scones today!
My Dad grew up in FL and I’m from NY. I remember him eating this but I’ve never been able to bring myself to give it a try.
~ingrid
A great afternoon tea item! Those sandwiches look delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
Your photos are just lovely! I have always wanted to try these sandwiches. I wonder if my kids would eat them??
those look AMAZING!!!! and here i am in the south, not eating them. i need to make some :)
I have never had pimento cheese but I bet that I will love it! Your photos are just spectacular.
Wow. I’ve never had this. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me either, so don’t ask. Because it seems heavenly. I love the Greek yogurt replacement and will definitely be trying this!
Oh, it looks like you are getting for my favourite pastime: afternoon tea :D. What time should I come over daaaaaaahling?
Thanks for entering my first ever competition. I hope you have a great weekend.
*kisses* HH
These pimento cheese sandwiches look so tasty. Wish I could have a tea party right now :) Lovely spread Miss Faith! Trés elegante as always.
My grandmas thanksgiving cheese ball has pimentos in it. Other than that i’ve never bought them. This looks like fun. With two boys i don’t tea party much. But just for me during kids nap time, i might try them some time.
This is a classic. I haven’t seen pimento cheese spread since I was in college. It was very popular. Nice to see it making a comeback.
Mimi
Love the little sandwiches. So cute! I have never had pimento cheese spread but bet I would love it. When our garden cucumbers come in, we love making cute little sandwiches like this; just spread the bread lightly with butter, then top with thinly sliced cukes. They are delicious. There is something so inviting about dainty little sandwiches :) Thanks for sharing this.
love this recipe! i may have to try it i have never had cheese spread :)
How can anyone make sandwiches look so perfect… remarkable… they look ready for tea at the Savoy!!! The spread sounds perfect lightened up with yogurt! Great pics too!
I LOVE pimentos! I used to pull them out of the green olives and eat them on their own, which was waaay too much work. I’ll have to look for the jarred stuff, because this recipe looks great! The pictures are gorgeous, too – you have some lovely serving dishes!
These are awesome finger sandwiches! Would be great for my daughter’s tea party I’m planning :)
Finger sammies always remind me of swanky London and I love it! The pimento-cheese spread looks wonderful. I bet it would be great on rye or pumpernickel, too! Have a great weekend, Faith!
I’ve never heard of this before but it looks absolutely delicious! And sandwiches without a crust on a cake stand? It doesn’t get much better than that does it? :)
I like your version better than the store stuff!
it saddens me that some folks have never met the marvelous creation known as pimento cheese. they’re really missing out! good for you for taking it upon yourself to make your own. you should package it up and sell it to your neighbors–you’d make a killing! :)
Can you believe that I have never had pimento cheese? It looks so delicious though, especially on the sandwich. I miss bread so much!!
Love the gorgeous pictures as always!
The spread looks so great! I want some!
Oh how delicious is this? I’m a huge fan of all of the ingredients in it so naturally I think I would fall over and die if I combined them like you’ve done. I am a cheesy gal and I love a good spread. Your presentation is truly phenomenal. I love how perfect and classy everything looks. You’re such a talented chef and food stylist, Faith!
Faith you know I did a stint at a place that made it on a daily basis (in Dallas) for its customers, huge vats of it; I used to think it was disgusting and never touched it until 2 days ago when samples were offered at the upscale market here and I tried it and thought: WOW! not bad!
So I understand your devotion to it! Lovely tea sandwiches by the way!
At first I thought those were little PB&J sandwiches haha! I was thinking “Gosh those are the fanciest pbj’s I’ve ever seen”. Then I read the post title… I LOVE LOVE LOVE pimento cheese. I’m from NC though :)
I am not eating bread for another ten days or maybe more. I think until the 8th. I had better look at a calendar.
Anyway, I would love to make this. It would be a treat, different than the mundane stuff, foodies eat. Kidding. It would be different. I love cheese and with additional tang, I would love it more. Thanks.
Omgosh, I love pimiento cheese. And your pictures. I’m about to hyperventilate! huhehhuhehhuhehhuhehhuheheheheheheheheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Girl, I haven’t had a pimiento cheese sandwich in….wow, I don’t even know how long it’s been! Probably 15 years! And now. I must. Have one. What have you done to me? OMgosh, how am I gonna wait until Saturday (grocery shopping day) to buy the ingredients to make this? I’m dying here and it’s all your fault!
I’ve never tried pimento spread before! It sounds amazing…
I relate finger sandwiches to glamour because it’s only served in very chic and high class kind of restaurants for afternoon tea! I’ve never tried making it myself, it seems so much work, but now that I see your recipe, it sounds not too hard! I might give it a try! ;)
I love ur Pimento Spread and for afternoon tea ….perfecto dainty sandwhiches u have here….
And in reply,thanx a ton and ur welcome both in the same breath with a hug…
all those eggs and cakes go to ALL THru the Year Cheer….
It really is moist and super and that too i added extra coco p [by mistake ie]
The all thru the year logo doesn work though ,thats why took it off ,its there on my prev post for the cookies am sending,but the logo doesnt show :-((((