Jalapeno Pimento Cheese

Y'all, I have a true affinity for Cheese. White cheese, yellow cheese, Pepper-Jack cheese.... Shredded cheese, Cubed cheese, Nacho cheese... you name it! Anything with the word cheese in it is always at the top of my list!

When we first moved to the GBC I had been told by several women from my women's group to try a local "eatery"/ "tea room"/ "deli", but I had to catch them while they're open. The quaint restaurant/shop is only open a couple of days out of the week AND just for a few hours each day (mostly just open for lunch). The tea room has a strictly limited, but very delicious menu. Fine by me. I  truly think places that have a smaller menu means everything on the menu is their "specialty".

One day I was able to make it into the tea room a couple of hours before they closed for the day. And as I sipped on some fruit infused tea I browsed the menu options. One of the items listed on the menu was their Jalapeno Pimento Cheese and Bacon sandwich. Think of a BLT but without the L or the T and replace those with spicy Pimento Cheese. Say whaaaaaaat?! Where has this been my whole life?! Bacon + Cheese in between some sandwich bread, and I'm all in.

One bite and I was sold. As soon as I took that first bite I knew I would want to come back for more.. and more.. and more, but I was super limited with their hours of operation. Total bummer.

So, being the problem solver I am, into the kitchen I went for a little recipe development...so to say.

I kept telling B about this wondrous Bacon and Jalapeno Pimento Cheese sandwich, and I assured him it was the best thing that has ever happened to me! Well, besides him, of course! And my kittens. And, my puppies. But you get the idea. This sandwich freaking rocked my world, and my mouth off! I kept telling him: "Babe, you HAVE to try this sandwich"... "You don't know true love until you've tried this sandwich"... "Come on Babe! Don't you want this sandwich too!?"

With little response... I took it as a "yes, honey please make me this amazing sandwich you speak of"

So, since I'm SO happy to please, I knew first things first! I had to create the Perfect Jalapeno Pimento Cheese - I had the bacon part down, and after all, it's the Pimento Cheese that makes this sandwich so spectacular.

Once, I made it, I knew I could use it in various areas of my life. 

For example, I took as a dip to a party I recently hosted. (#perfectpartydip)

I also just ate it in spoonfuls (#noshame)

And, then, y'all.. then, I made the sandwich. (see below)

So there are a couple of things that really make this pimento cheese so great. 

First, you must make it with freshly GREATed cheese. (see what I did there?) Takes a couple of minutes to grate your own, but makes all the difference. 

I used a medium block of sharp Cheddar cheese (approx. 2 cups shredded cheese)

Also, be sure to use fresh, seeded jalapenos.

Use 2 small, or 1 large jalapeno(s), finely chopped.

You'll also need some mayonnaise, cream cheese, and, well, Pimentos!

Once you mix all the ingredients together be sure to place in the fridge for half and hour or so to chill.

Then, to compile your B+JPC sandwich:

use toasted wheat bread

slather on the Jalapeno Pimento Cheese (JPC)

 then top with cooked (crispy) bacon (B)

Then, eat eat eat! 

Enjoy!

 Then tell the world how Jalapeno Pimento Cheese has changed your life for the better. 

And, if you're looking for something a little lighter, you can also stuff this Jalapeno Pimento Cheese in Celery Sticks like I did here.

Jalapeno Pimento Cheese

by: Amanda Hicks (recipe adapted from allrecipes.com)

Makes 3 cups

Ingredients 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional) 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1 large jalapeno pepper (or 2 small), seeded and finely chopped (optional) 1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimento, drained garlic salt and black pepper to taste Instructions Using a rubber spatula combine all ingredients into a large bowl, until mixed well. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 1/2 hour to chill. Serve cold

Pimento Cheese stuffed Celery

Move over Peanut Butter. There's a new celery spread in town.

Celery, meet Pimento Cheese.

Pimento Cheese, meet Celery.

Ladies & Gents! 

Introducing.....

Pimento Cheese Stuffed Celery

So, yeah. I just discovered Pimento Cheese filled in Celery is the JAM!
I couldn't wait to share this amazing duo any longer!
So today, I am sharing this devine concoction with all you lovely people.

Although it may seem simple. Do not mistake the power this combination will have over your taste-buds.
And, I promise, once you try it, you will LOVE it!

Seriously Y'all!!

Run, (don't walk) to your nearest grocery store and pick yourself up some nice, green, crunchy Celery and while you're at it be sure to grab your favorite Pimento Cheese spread.

If you're anything like me (pondering up and continuously thinking about this union) the second your feet hit that kitchen floor get these two equally amazing ingredients combined as quickly and efficiently as possible.

And, if you're anything like me (again) you've been thinking about THE pimento cheese for a over an hour. On your journey back home from Market Street. Because you HAD to HAVE THE (freshly prepared) Smoked Gouda Pimento Spread. (OMG!) aaannnddddd, you drove over an hour to the nearest Market Street to get said spread, allowing your mind to run wild with thoughts of pimento cheese. (#noshame)

That Smoked Gouda takes the pimento cheese game to a whole new level.

(Similar Pimento Cheese recipe can be found here.)

Side note: if you do, by chance, find yourself in the same situation as me, please email me ASAP so we can be BFF's!

BTW, is Pimento Cheese just a Southern thing? 

I've always wondered... does all of the country equally love the deliciously cold cheese spread dotted with bright red pimentos? Or, are some of you still trying figure out what the hell Pimento Cheese is and what the heck you do with it? 

Either way, I love me some Pimento Cheese - and now I don't feel as guilty when I pair it with a nice chunk of celery instead of pilling it onto a thick piece of white bread.

Y'ALL!!

y'all.

This stuff is sooooooo goood!

And, the possibilities are endless.

I'm envisioning: lunches, appetizers, afternoon snacks, side dishes, cheese and veggie trays...
I'm talking: birthday parties, bridal showers, girls night in, pot-lucks, lunch for the kiddos or on the go.
The list goes on and on...
AND, or in my case, you can just eat it for breakfast.

Yes. Yes, my friends, I ate Celery & Pimento Cheese for breakfast.
I'm telling you! It's that good!
I guess, sometimes, you just can't wait.

Just smear/ spread/ fill your Pimento Cheese in those little celery cracks (as much as your heart desires) and VIOLA!
I also added a little Paprika cause I'm cool like that. 


Enjoy!

    oxox, 

Amanda

Five Friday Faves

Image via// Eat & Relish

Disclaimer: The opinions and products reviewed and expressed below are chosen solely by me. I do not receive compensation to review these products and the products and services are simply ones in which I favor. My opinions are solely my own. If you’d like to be featured on FITO Blog please send me an email to arhicks0427@gmail.com


Happy Friday, Party People!!

I hope everyone enjoyed their week, and you are all looking forward to a fabulous weekend. 

I know we are!

Like I previously mentioned in my post last week here, I am was  going to share with you FIVE of my favorite things from each week to week.

Weellllllllllllll, {as I'm sure you're aware} I've been a little out of the blog world for a minute. To say that the hustle and bustle, and the overall craziness of life has gotten the best of my free time, would be a HUGE understatement.
But I'll spare you all the deets. 
(Like how my beloved doggie lost an eyeball over spring break, or that we BOUGHT A HOUSE, or that I am in wayyy over my head with Grad School and a million other things - I am sure you can relate)

So I am picking up where I left off, and decided to pick back up with my weekly top-picks, and I'm not looking back. 

Feel free to join in on the fun and comment with some of your week's faves.

Are you ready?
Let's Go!

1. Checkout51 app. - If you’re anything like me, you understand the feeling of running to the grocery store countless times on the fly during the week. Even if you can't relate, this App is for YOU! This App. is for everyone! Bye, bye to the days of coupon clipping. Or remembering to bring those pesky little sheets of paper with you to the grocery store. Oh, and, hello, clutter town. Ugh, I just hate, yet love coupons. I always wonder if it is really saving me any money to actually clip the darn things and then try to remember A: that you have a coupon for an item, or B: to bring your coupons with you to the store. Now, with Checkout51 you can literally EARN money as your grocery shop. Here’s how it works:

1. Browse through the weekly offers on the app

2. Purchase the products at ANY grocery store

3. Upload your receipt in the app, and claim your offers!

Easy, peasy. Once you earn $20.00 in your account Checkout51 will send you a check for the amount. Yeah, it's pretty awesome! Available on Apple and Android devices, and can be found in your app store.

2. 14 Hands Chardonnay - wow, I think it took me to write this blog post to realize that Chardonnay is spelled with 2 “N”s (World’s worst speller right here, ask my best friend). Anyway, I LOVE this Chardonnay wine from 14 Hands! It’s amazing how quickly one bottle of 14 Hands can disappear. Especially while you’re doing things like: chatting it up with your hubby on your blow-up mattress, in the middle of the living room, because you have yet to go pick out any furniture. OR during a Blogger Happy Hour (see below). OR while you’re chatting it up on the phone with your Momma for hours one evening. Then Poof it’s gone! Just like that! It really is that good!. So, do yourself a favor and go pick up a bottle (or 2, or 3) at your nearest Walmart… Yes, I DO buy my wine at Walmart. And, YES, you can buy your wine at Walmart too. And, pretty dang good wine at that! Plus, I wouldn't want to get too fancy on ya, and it’s reasonably priced.

3. The Crockpot - What a glorious device! With moving, being in between two residences (yes- we just bought our first home!! Whoo Hooo!), and the crazy schedule that is the end of the semester for teaching and Grad School, I have never needed, or loved, my crock-pot more than right now. And, let's face it, there are only so many times during the week that you can eat Subway or Taco Bell for lunch and dinner. A home cooked meal always hits the spot, especially if you've been having to grab meals on the go. So here’s the deal, I love to put stews, roasts, and other hearty meals in the Crockpot. You can prepare the dish in the Crockpot in the morning, then set the temp and let the Crockpot do all the work for you. Then, when you come home from a long and exhausting day you already have a delicious meal waiting, and typically your house smells pretty amazing too.

Easy, Hearty & Delicious

4. Blogger Happy Hours - So, I know lately it seems like I am obsessed with Erin, over at Living In Yellow (well, I guess I'm kinda am a little obsessed). Anyway, she is fabulous and you should definitely go check her blog out. Now back to the Happy Hour part. Erin (being the genius blogger that she is) put together this completely awesome idea called a “Blogger Happy Hour” (BHH). Once or twice a month she and another blogger host a Google+ Hangout with other like minded bloggers, including newbies (like myself) to chat all things Blog related. When you attend BBH you bring your questions, your favorite drink (for example, a bottle of 14 Hands Chardonnay, like yours truly), and pull up a chair. To your computer screen, that is. This month, Erin teamed up with the Hilarious, Taylor from The Daily Tay. BTW, Taylor has the most adorable dog, named Harlow. Which he joined in on our BHH, and all the girls swooned over him. Plus, those of us that join in were able to have Taylor and Erin's undivided attention for an hour or so. This past Tuesday I joined in on my first BHH with Erin and Taylor, along side some other awesome bloggers! It was so FUN, COOL, AWESOME, & totes AMAZING! Erin is hosting another BBH this month, you can check out all the deets here.

Cats & Dogs are welcome at this Happy Hour

5. Soft Cheese Tacos - WARNING: the following picture may not look appetizing. AT. ALL. But I don't care. These smothered, cheesy, Soft Cheese Tacos are the BOMB.com. I swear I think I could eat these every. single. day. Breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. When we began our move, the first night we stayed at our new house we decided to go out to eat to grab some dinner. We stopped in at a little Mexican food restaurant right off of the lake. One of many in the area, I might add. It looked very promising due to the fact the entire parking lot was full. So, we decided what the heck !? Gave it a shot. And, thank goodness! That evening I was introduced to my newest food love. This is the food you dream about and crave every single day. Seriously, I crave these on a daily basis. Thank goodness I don't eat them on a daily basis, but heck, I probably could! For reals. Every time we come up to the new house, our first stop is to get a whole platter full of soft cheese tacos. The rice and beans are a nice touch too. The restaurant also has this amazing dip they call “Crema”. Which is basically a mix of guacamole and sour cream - perfect to pair with their amazing tortilla chips and salsa. Next time you visit us at the new casa, I will be sure to take you to get a platter of soft cheese tacos. I don't know what more can I say - they’re simply AMAZE!

Ooey Gooey Cheesy Deliciousness

There ya have it folks, my top faves from the past week.

Feel free to join in on the fun and comment with some of your week's faves. I'd love to hear what you've been enjoying this week!

oxox, 
Amanda