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Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich for #SundaySupper

Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich | Magnolia Days

Pimento cheese is widely identified as being southern food. The interesting thing is that it did not start out that way. It was a delicacy for the rich because of expensive ingredients of cheese and imported Spanish peppers. Tea sandwiches made with it were served at high-class events across the nation. Once commercially made cheeses were available and pimentos grown in the south, it went from being expensive to something mill workers would have for lunch. How it became identified as southern is no matter. What does matter is how incredible it is when it is made into a grilled pimento cheese sandwich.

This is an ultimate hot and gooey sandwich. Melted pimento cheese oozes out as you slice it in half or take a bite. It drips down on your fingers which makes it finger-licking awesome. Use hearty country-style white bread to hold up all the gooeyness. I used the recipe for pimento cheese balls (minus the pecans) and grilled it between slices of bread slathered with butter.

Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich | Magnolia Days

What wine to pair with a grilled pimento cheese sandwich? It was not an easy task for me. The mixture of sharp cheddar, Monterey jack, and pepper jack cheeses was challenging because different wines pair with each one. Then the mayonnaise and pimento peppers added, even more, complexity. I reached out to the wine pairing Sunday Supper contributors, Eileen of Wine Everyday and Martin of Enofylz Wine Blog. They both suggested Gallo Family Vineyards Pinot Noir which worked nicely. The dryness cuts the fat of cheese and mayo. Earthy flavors compliment the pimentos. And Pinot Noir is such a versatile wine for pairing.

Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich | Magnolia Days

April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Sunday Supper is proud to partner with Gallo Family Vineyards to share recipes to celebrate all the goodness of hot, toasty, melty, cheesy sandwiches. Scroll down to find the list and links to each one. We have an incredible lineup and wine pairings too.

Gallo Family Vineyards Logo

More on Gallo Family Vineyards: You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Their website has information on all Gallo Family wines, a store locator, and pairing guides.

Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich

The Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich has cheese that oozes out as you slice it in half or take a bite. It is gooey and delicious.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Author Renee

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup cream cheese at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon grated onion
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of fresh ground pepper
  • 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 jar chopped pimentos 4 ounces, drained
  • Thick slices of hearty white bread
  • Butter softened for easy spreading

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, process cream cheese, mayonnaise, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  2. Add the shredded cheeses and pimentos and pulse to combine. Do not over-process. Transfer pimento cheese to a bowl and stir if needed to combine ingredients thoroughly. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.
  3. Heat a skillet or griddle to medium heat. Do not get too hot or it will burn the butter and bread.
  4. Butter one side of two bread slices. Spread a thick layer of pimento cheese on the un-buttered side of a bread slice.
  5. Place pimento cheese covered bread slice butter side down in the skillet. Cover skillet with a lid and cook for 1 minute.
  6. Remove lid and top sandwich with the other slice butter side up. Cook until bottom is lightly browned and toasted.
  7. Flip sandwich over and cook until the other side is lightly browned and toasted.
  8. Transfer sandwich to a plate and slice in half.
  9. Repeat with remaining bread and pimento cheese or grill 2 to 4 sandwiches at a time, depending on size of skillet. Do not over-crowd the skillet.
  10. Refrigerate extra pimento cheese for up to 5 days.

Recipe Notes

Yield varies depending on size of bread and amount of pimento cheese used on each sandwich.

Do you enjoy grilled cheese sandwiches? Take a look at these by Sunday Supper contributors featuring or paired with Gallo Family Vineyards wines:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.

Recipe Rating




Katie

Tuesday 22nd of April 2014

I've never made pimento cheese at home, but I totally should! This looks like the creamiest, gooiest option for a grilled cheese ever!

Renee

Saturday 26th of April 2014

Oh Katie, once you make pimento cheese at home you will never go back to store-bought. It's so much better.

Kelli's Kitchen

Sunday 13th of April 2014

Oohh Wee! I love a good homemade pimento cheese and grilled sounds so warm and comforting! And the wine? Heck yeah, could only make it better! :)

Renee

Saturday 19th of April 2014

I had a feeling you would like this sandwich Kelli. And yes, the wine with it makes it awesome-r.

Carla

Wednesday 9th of April 2014

Confession - I'm a sucker for pimento cheese spread but never actually made it myself; just bought it from the local butcher shop. Now you convinced me to start making my own.

Renee

Saturday 19th of April 2014

Glad you will make you own. You will see how much better it is and you can add spice or hot sauce to your taste preference.

Anita at Hungry Couple

Tuesday 8th of April 2014

Believe it or not, this northern girl has never had pimento cheese. But, by the looks of that ooey gooey stuff spilling out of that beautiful bread, I've been missing out big time!

Renee

Saturday 19th of April 2014

Well, you need to try pimento cheese soon. You will love it.

Stacy

Monday 7th of April 2014

Love, love, love pimento cheese and, you know what, never thought of grilling it. What's wrong with me? Beautiful oozy, gooey wonderful sandwich, Renee!

Renee

Saturday 19th of April 2014

Nothing is wrong with you Stacy. Sometimes we just miss an idea. Now you can grill it next time.