This Pimento Cheese Sandwich Surprised the South

How did the pimento cheese sandwich, a fancy Northern tea sandwich from 1908, become the most Southern thing on the table? It followed a pepper. Everyone swears pimento cheese was born in a Southern kitchen and in one way it was. However, the original recipe ran in Good Housekeeping magazine in 1908, made with delicate cream cheese, nothing like the sharp cheddar version you know today. So what changed? The South started growing the pepper, mainly in Georgia, making it more affordable. In addition, cheddar cheese was easily available and cheaper which triggered the new Southern recipe. In this episode, I make both versions side by side: the refined 1908 original and the hearty Southern cheddar version we all grew up with. Then we taste them both and find out which recipe wins. Pimento Cheese - Adapted Recipe from Southern Living November 2018 • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise, such as Hellmann’s or Duke’s • 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce • 1/8 tsp dried onion • 1/2 or 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper - adjust to your taste • 1 (8-oz.) block extra-sharp Cheddar cheese - grated • 1 (8-oz.) block sharp Cheddar cheese - grated #ForgottenRecipes #FoodHistory #Nostalgia #PimentoCheese #SouthernFood #FoodHistory #VintageRecipes #americanhistory