Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Pimento Cheese: Ready for more?


After our recent tasting of three pimento cheeses, Palmetto, Augusta's and Ruth's, readers demanded another tasting. This time, you wanted us to include Stan's, Something Classic and Fresh Market.


Did we listen? Of course we did. Did you think we'd miss a chance to eat 'minnow cheese and talk about it?


This time, we lined up Palmetto, based on a recipe from the Sea View Inn on Pawley's Island, with Stan's, Something Classic and Fresh Market.


Which one came out on top? Tune in tomorrow to The Observer, available in handy printed and online versions (www.charlotteobserver.com/food for online, at the end of your driveway for print) to find out which pimento cheese was the champion.


And yes, we'll have a recipe for making your own. No, it probably isn't the one your mom made. But we like it.


14 comments:

Julie @ Willow Bird Baking said...

Excited to see what your recipe entails!

I think pimento cheese might be one of those things where the oranger, the more processed and weird, the more I love it. I know some folks don't have those tendencies, but I can enjoy some trashy food now and again ;)

Elizabeth said...

I happen to love making pimento cheese at home, and I always use Frank Stitt's recipe. Stitt's recipe calls for a combo of cream cheese and mayo, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, a dash of Tabasco, 1 pound of sharp cheddar, and roasted red bell peppers. I just love it.

kimbrell said...

I think you started a pimento cheese war at Harris Teeter. The Lincolnton store rarely has much variety of anything, much less pimento cheese. Since the article they have 6-7 brands, including my favorite, Palmetto Cheese.

PalmettoGirl said...

Wish it already were Wednesday! Can't wait to see the results! (Even though I'll likely stick with my own, easy-to-make recipe.)

Hounds4HeroesFounder said...

I'm so glad you are including Fresh Market in this. Their Jalapeno Pimento Cheese is my favorite food in this world. And I like a lot of foods. :)

Anonymous said...

You'd be remiss if you didn't go try the Fried Pimiento Cheese at Hotel Charlotte. I need to find that recipe...or at least a good recipe to make it for sandwiches at home. I'm addicted to this stuff, but want to find a classic recipe (don't want store bought).

Angela Bensberg said...

Frankly, I was disappointed in your recommendation for Augusta's. At $5.99 for a small container it was a regretable investment. You didn't mention all the garlic it contains (it's not listed on the label either). I'm an old southerner and I just don't think garlic belongs in "minner" cheese. I'll try Palmetto though and anxiously await the results at the end of my driveway tomorrow monring!

Anonymous said...

Need to add the Pimento from:

Conrad & Hinkle in Lexington, NC. http://www.conrad-hinkle.com. Bradford Store on 73 sells it. Doing it 90yrs!

McCombs and Company, Faith, NC

imjustkidding said...

The Boathouse in Charleston has amazing Pimento Cheese. The recipe is in their cookbook and it incredible. Everytime I make it folks ask for the recipes!

Anonymous said...

I buy Something Classic all the time, but the other day it was different. I dont know if they changed it or not but this one has much smaller graded cheese in it. Maybe I just got one from the bottom of the cheese bag. It was still good and actually easier to spread on bread.

I bet Something Classic does very well in the contest!!!

Anonymous said...

I tried Palmetto last week after the blog first appeared, and I'll admit, it was good and a lot less expensive than Augusta's which had been my favorite. That being said, Augusta's is on sale this week at the teeter, so I usually buy whatever is on sale. mmmmmmm

Anonymous said...

Just say no.

Gary Rubin said...

OK, now first you have to undserstand a few things

1) Up until a scant couple of years ago, I didn't even like pimento cheese
2) I never join in these types of discussions...never BUT
3) at the Yorkmont market there is a guy ( the husband is all I know him by) who sells THE ABSOLUTE BEST ever pim. cheese ( made, of course, by his wife)

Their business is called Specialty of the House and it is why I go there every Saturday...it is amazing, can't put it down food...they often run out and in fact this week I am eating their Roasted red Pepper and Feta..I am a bit loathe to put this info out as he is out of what I want, not being an early riser, usually at least once a month but enough with the pim wars.....the winner has to be this--try yet one more taste test....Thanks, Gary

The Pimento-Cheezer said...

A little garlic in pimento cheese is OK but NEVER CREAM CHEESE. Zheesh!