Jalapeño Pimento Cheese

(Elena Veselova/Shutterstock)

Jalapeño Pimento Cheese

This recipe uses fresh jalapeños, which will give a little crunch to the cheese. If you prefer a perfectly soft pimento cheese, use canned or jarred jalapeños instead of fresh. For a smoky taste, substitute chipotle peppers. 

Makes 3 cups

• 3 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise 
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon chopped green onion 
• 8 ounces extra sharp white Vermont cheddar cheese, finely grated
• 8 ounces sharp yellow cheddar cheese, finely grated
• 1 or 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
• 4-ounce jar pimentos, drained and finely diced

Place cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and green onion in the work bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Add both cheeses to the work bowl and pulse a few times, just until the shredded cheese and mayonnaise mixture is well blended. Mixture should not be completely smooth. 

Scrape cheese mixture into a bowl and stir in the minced jalapeños and diced pimentos. Cover and chill for a few hours to allow flavors to blend.