Basic Pimento Cheese

ingredients

• 1/2 pound extra-sharp Vermont white Cheddar
• 1/2 pound extra-sharp aged New York (orange) Cheddar
• 1 (7/8 cup) jar pimentos, drained and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• cayenne to taste
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise

directions

Finely grate cheeses into a large bowl. Stir in pimentos, black pepper, cayenne, and salt to taste with a fork. Then stir in mayonnaise, mashing mixture with fork until relatively smooth. (It should be flecked with small pieces of pimento.)

Scrape spread into a crock or jar and chill, covered, at least 2 hours to allow flavors to develop.

Serve pimento cheese with crackers or use as a filling for finger sandwiches.

Cooks' note:

•, Pimento cheese keeps, tightly covered and chilled, 4 days.