By Melita Easters
Georgia WIN List Founding Chair and Executive Director since 2016
The perfect snack while watching the quintessential “Good Old Boys” golf tournament during Masters week is WINning Woman Pimento Cheese, a revised version of the Southern culinary classic.
The first time the founding mothers of Georgia WIN List gathered in my living room to talk politics two and a half decades ago, they enjoyed my pimento cheese recipe. By popular demand, it has been prepared for countless WIN List and campaign fundraising events ever since.
For more than 25 years, guests have nibbled on WINning Woman Pimento Cheese while talking about how to Change the Face of Power by electing more women as an alternative to the “Good Old Boy’s Network” which has dominated state power for decades. The WINning Woman Pimento Cheese recipe adds garlic, harissa – a spicy hot pepper paste, and a touch of coarse mustard to the traditional classic.
Serving a sassier version of a culinary classic seems to be the perfect accompaniment for talk of FLIPping legislative seats by replacing “stale, pale, and male” Republican legislators with a group of diverse, highly qualified women.
For decades, the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta has been a television tradition, known as much for the wide shots of lush landscaping as for the great golf. For decades, the concession stands have offered reasonably priced pimento cheese sandwiches tastefully wrapped in green, just in case a patron was so uncouth as to litter the hallowed grounds with sandwich debris which might later be caught in a television feed.
At some point, by popular demand, WIN List began publishing our WINning Woman Pimento Cheese recipe during Masters Week. After all, nothing serves as a subtle symbol of changing who holds the reins of power in Georgia better than serving a sassy version of a traditional recipe to folks watching a golf tournament now celebrating 90 years of tradition.
WINning Woman Pimento Cheese
1 pound grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 pound grated mild cheddar cheese
(Freshly grated cheese is fabulous, but few of us have the time these days! For pre-grated cheese, select bags with different textures – fine and medium grate. And, select cheeses which do not have an obvious coating of “wax” to prevent clumping.)
1 7-oz jar chopped pimentos – Reserve 3 TBSP liquid, rinse & drain pimentos
1 cup Duke’s mayonnaise
6 cloves pureed garlic – or – 3 TBSP garlic paste (not minced garlic)
2 TBSP harissa (chili paste often sold in glass jars)
1 TBSP Dijon mustard such as Edmond Fallot Blackcurrant or Grey Poupon
2 TSP Worcestershire sauce
As needed:
More mayonnaise and room temperature butter for spreading if making sandwiches.
In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, 3 TBSP of liquid reserved from pimento jar, and all other ingredients EXCEPT for cheese and pimentos. Whisk well.
Then, fold in cheese and well-drained pimentos using a large spatula to lightly coat the cheese. If necessary, add slightly more mayonnaise for appropriate spreadable consistency. Best when refrigerated for at least 12 hours in an airtight container which allows flavors to mingle. Bring pimento cheese to room temperature before making sandwiches or serving as a spread/dip.
When making sandwiches, some cooks prefer to spread a thin layer of unsalted room temperature butter on the bread slices before spreading on the pimento cheese to prevent soggy sandwiches. This practice really makes sense only when preparing tea sandwiches to be served hours later or the next day. When preparing large quantities of sandwiches ahead, separate sandwich layers with wax paper and refrigerate in zip-lock bags or air-tight containers.
Variations – As for most recipes, variations of the “WINning Woman Pimento Cheese” recipe are limited only by your culinary creativity:
CHILD VERSION – Eliminate harissa. Eliminate garlic for particularly intolerant toddlers.
CHEESE SUBSTITUTIONS – While Velveeta or cream cheese have a place in the Southern food lexicon, they do not belong this pimento cheese recipe. There are those who disagree and they obviously have a right to their opinion – “Bless their hearts!” For variety, experiment with “Mexican” or Italian cheese blends. Grating blocks of Irish cheese makes a special St Patrick’s Day treat.
MORE OR LESS SMOKY/SPICEY – For a smokier flavor, substitute a smoked hard cheese – the taste sensation is worth grating your own. To make your recipe more “hot and spicy” add more harissa or experiment with Tabasco, but remember a little Tabasco goes a long way!
Serving Suggestions –
SANDWICHES – “WINning Woman Pimento Cheese” sandwiches are traditionally made with white bread. But local artisan bakery breads such as those with Jalapeno cheese or sundried tomatoes are particularly good. For a tea party or special occasion presentation, cut off white bread crusts before cutting sandwiches into rectangles or triangles – two for hearty occasions such as a child’s party and four for high tea. Serve grilled pimento cheese sandwiches with tomato soup or a salad. If using a panini press, spray the bread with Pam to rack up fewer calories than dipping bread in melted butter. ADDITIONS – Slices of ham or bacon, thinly sliced Vidalia onions or slices of heirloom tomatoes are favorite additions to pimento cheese sandwiches. For a truly casual Southern touch, try adding spam or bologna fried in a cast iron skillet to your pimento cheese sandwich.
AS SPREAD or DIP – Pimento cheese pairs beautifully with crackers, with the Effie’s brand of pecan crackers tasking exceptionally wonderful. Thinly sliced bread rounds, or pre-toasted bread rounds like those sold at Fresh Market work well. Sliced pretzel bread is also a special treat. Toast pimento cheese on bread rounds until bubbly and to serve hot as an appetizer or with soup.
Shape pimento cheese into a ball and roll the ball in chopped pecans for a classic “cheese ball.” Or, follow the example of Georgia’s favorite former First Lady Rosalyn Carter and shape Pimento cheese into a ring, with the center hole used for either tomato jam, tomato pepper relish, or bacon jam.
