Derby Delicious

Derby Delicious Day!

Today is the running of the 2022 Kentucky Derby.  YAY!!  My husband John and I are taking some foods and going to a local brewery with friends to enjoy it.  Food is a very important part of the derby, per the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs.

Early in 2021, my husband and I got stir crazy to escape our home as the pandemic continued.  We didn’t feel safe flying at that point, and, we were traveling with our parrot, Bobbie.  So….road trip.

We decided to do a loop to the east coast of the US and down to Savannah, then west to Atlanta and up through Kentucky and back to Michigan.  One of my favorite stops was Churchill Downs.  It was a bit surreal as was being used as a mass vaccination center with no races, but we did get to visit the museum there.  It was fascinating!

I have always loved watching the triple crown races, especially the Kentucky Derby.

But I digress.  In our Southern loop we enjoyed some foods not too common in our home state of Michigan.  One in particular stood out, Pimento Cheese.

My take on it

When we got home, I researched the cheese.  Apparently, there’s a different version for every restaurant and family unit in the South!  I made several versions and then set out to create a flavor I liked most.  So, at the bottom of this blog post is my favorite.  Enjoy!  Take it and make your own version.

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Pimento Cheese

Print Recipe

Pimento Cheese

A yummy Southern cheese that is great on sammies, as a veggy dip, on crackers, and more. Easy to make and always a hit!
Prep Time10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: Cheese, Pimento
Servings: 12
Calories: 210kcal
Author: vkhanson

Equipment

  • 1 Stand Mixer

Ingredients

  • 4 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded small
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 c mayonnaise ideally Duke's is the brand used
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 2 T onion finely minced
  • 4 oz jarred pimento drained and chopped
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/4 t black pepper
  • 1/2 jalapeno optional, deseeded & finely minced
  • 8 green olives optional, finely chopped
  • 1/4 t cayenne powder optional

Instructions

  • Place everything in stand mixer and beat at medium until blended.
    Makes about two cups.

Notes

I like to make this in two styles.  To do that, I make a full batch with just the first eight ingredients.  Then, remove half.  This is your mild version.  I then add half of the remining ingredients to the remaining cheese in the mixer bowl, blend and you have a version that bites a bit and with the saltier, umami flavor that olives bring, which I prefer.
Remember to use only half:
4 olives, 1/4 jalapeno, 1/8 t cayenne
If you decide to add extra olives than noted, keep in mind that they will bring extra saltiness to the cheese.

I would love it if you let me know if you change it and how.  The variations are truly endless.  Please share your adaptations in the comments.