Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

Originally published on April 30, 2017

The month of April really came in like a lamb and went out like a lion at our house. It began with a wonderful family vacation to Quebec City, and ended with me in bed pneumonia-ridden and suffering from several antibiotic side effects. That sickness almost made me miss Grilled Cheese Month altogether, but here we are. It’s the last day of the month, I’m healthy, and I have a delicious grilled cheese sandwich recipe that I made pre-sickness and have just been waiting to share with you.

The cheese in this sandwich isn’t your typical cheese. It’s pimento cheese, which I believe you can get in handy little jars if you live in one of the Southern states, but I’ve never seen it on my grocery store shelves. The good news is, it’s super easy to make.

If you’re going to pile it into grilled cheese sandwiches like I did after whipping it together, do yourself a favour and leave it to just about 1/4 cup. I used about twice as much and ended up with a sandwich that, while delicious, could’t be picked up and eaten but needed a knife and fork. Not terrible, but definitely not something you can eat on the go either. However you choose to eat it, this is one sandwich that’s sure to have you looking differently at grilled cheese.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup pimentos, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 8 slices white bread
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature

Directions:

1.) Place the pimentos, Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix to combine well.

2.) Heat a pan over medium heat. Butter one slice of bread an place it butter-side down in the preheated pan. Spoon on 1/4 cup of the pimento cheese and spread it across the bread. Butter another piece of bread and place it, butter-side up, on the pimento cheese.

3.) Fry the sandwich on one side for 3 – 4 minutes, until it’s golden brown on that side. Flip and fry for another 3 – 4 minutes, until that side is also golden brown and the cheese inside is melted. Repeat with remaining pieces of bread, making 4 grilled cheese sandwiches in total.

4.) As sandwiches are finished, remove from pan and place on a cutting board or other work surface. Allow to rest for just a minute or so before cutting in half.

5.) Serve and enjoy!