Assembling the Spread

• At its most basic, a pimento cheese spread is made from grated hard cheese, pimentos and mayonnaise. Mixing a 4 ounce jar of pimentos into every 1½ pounds of cheese, usually cheddar, and then adding just enough mayonnaise to make a creamy spread will result in a basic pimento cheese. You can substitute chopped roasted red peppers or use other hard cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or Gouda, for all or part of the cheddar. Homemade mayonnaise also makes a suitable substitution in a pimento cheese recipe. To add your own gourmet touch, consider adding relish, roasted garlic or even cream cheese to the final dish.