mercredi 23 février 2011

Pimento Cheese

Le Pimento Cheese, encore une tradition du Sud, pas forcement le plat le plus sain mais plutôt une indulgence légèrement régressive. J'ai toujours cru qu'on disait pimiento mais en fait non la boite de piment en question disant pimento. Les pimentos sont des piments (doux?) qui pour ce type de recette sont cuits. On les trouve ici en bocaux, le gout me rappelle pas mal le poivron rouge qui a été cuit au four. Les recettes abondent, chacun a la sienne.
L'une de mes versions préférées était celle de Great Scott, le traiteur de notre mariage qui peut aussi être gouté en apéritif pour le repas du soir a l'Oak House, Black Mountain. La consistance est crémeuse et parfumée par les pimentos.
La base c'est en général fromage cheddar, mayonnaise, pimentos, sel et poivre.
De mon cote j'ai teste une recette a base de cream cheese, une amie bien du Sud a testé et approuvé, bien que c’était plutôt lourd en ail que je réduirais la prochaine fois.

Recette (tirée de 100daysofrealfood.com)
  • 140 grammes de sharp cheddar râpé
  • 110 grammes de cream cheese a température ambiante.
  • 50 grammes de pimentos en cube avec le jus (moi j'ai plutôt mis 100g)
  • 1 gousse d'ail (deux c'est trop!)
  • 1/4 cuillère a café de moutarde de Dijon (ou plus)
  • 1/8 cuillère a café de paprika en poudre
  • 1 a 2goutte de sauce pimentée
Mélanger le tout, servir sur des toasts, en sandwich ou avec des crackers.

Pimento Cheese is a Southern tradition, not necessarily super healthy but it is a comfort food. I always thought it was pronounced pimiento but the jar says pimento. Pimentos are (sweet?) peppers which are cooked. Here they are found in jars and the taste reminded me a lot of a charred sweet bell pepper. Recipes are numerous and each family has their own.
One of my favorite version was our wedding caterer's Great Scott, which can be tested as an appetizer at the Oak House in Black Mountain. The texture was creamy and well flavored.
The base is usually cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, salt and pepper.
As for me I tried a recipe with cream cheese, a Southern friend tried it and approved, even if it was pretty heavy in garlic (which I'll reduce next time).

Recipe (from 100daysofrealfood.com)
  • 5 ounces of sharp cheddar grated
  • 4 ounces of cream cheese at room temperature
  • 2 ounces of pimentos with juice (I put about 4 oz)
  • 1 clove of garlic (2 was too much)
  • 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard (or more)
  • 1/8 tsp of powdered paprika
  • 1-2 drops of hot sauce
Mix well and serve over toasts, sandwiches or crackers.

4 commentaires:

  1. Despite being a southern girl, I've never been a big fan of pimento cheese. lol. My hubby likes it though! Do they have "cream cheese" in France? They didn't have the exact same thing available in Germany.

    RépondreSupprimer
  2. hum ca a l'air super bon ca! surtout sur unebonne baguette croustillante!!

    RépondreSupprimer
  3. I've been living in the south now for 6 years and pimento cheese is a new passion. Great recipe!

    RépondreSupprimer
  4. @Jessica One Shiny Stat: Being from a region does not mean you have to like what it makes. I always surprise people when I tell them I can't stand escargot and don't get the point to frog legs (not enough meat).
    Cream cheese is starting to come. Until very recently it could only be found in Germany, but I've heard some people found it in Paris. Kraft is pushing it's market ;)

    @Jessicawilhide: Mmmh surtout la baguette :)

    @A Spicy Perspective: I think it's one of those fun recipes where you get to be creative which allows for some fun in the kitchen.

    RépondreSupprimer

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails