We LOVE the 50 nifty United States of this awesome country and believe each state is special. Every Monday we feature a sandwich unique to its state as part of our “50 Sandwiches, 50 States, 50 Weeks” series beginning with Alabama and ending with Wyoming.
This sandwich takes me way, way back to a very happy place… Back to my childhood with my Grandma and Great Aunt- 2 of my most favorite people I’ve ever known, and ever will know. A little tid bit about me: I’m an only child. AND…. I’m an only grandchild on my Father’s side. AND… my Great Aunt, Mamie, never had children so I basically had an EXTRA grandma all to myself. 2 Grandmas and I’m the only grandchild! Weird, huh? I’ve never known anyone else that can say they’re an only grandchild. Have you? It was awesome!
My Grandma and Great Aunt lived next door to each other so visiting one, meant you got the other. It was a great two-fer! Visiting these two special ladies meant eating lots of goodies- things my health fanatic Father didn’t allow in his home. He did, however, smile and let me eat whatever I wanted at Grandma’s and aunt Mamie’s! I’d open their refrigerators to see what was inside. Was there anything special for me? There always was :)- and my Great Aunt ALWAYS had pimento cheese spread in tub that she’d purchase already made. She ate pimento cheese sandwiches on white bread practically daily.
As a little kid, I thought it was the grossest looking stuff. EVER. Eeeeew! Aunt Mamie always offered to make me a pimento cheese sandwich, assuring me it was delicious, and I always declined… as in “No way! That’s nasty!” declined. She’d laugh and say “Baby, you don’t know what you’re missin’!”
She never did convince me to try pimento cheese. It wasn’t until Gary and I started our fun project to make a sandwich from every state every week that I finally made and ate the simple, Southern classic. Aunt Mamie would be thrilled and I wish she were here so I could happily enjoy this sandwich with her. I should have listened to her. She was right. Pimento cheese sandwiches are really good- especially on thick, buttery Texas toast!
- 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 (4 oz.) jar pimentos, drained, chopped
- 6 Tbsps. mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp. Frank's hot sauce
- ½ tsp. sugar
- ¼ tsp. each garlic powder, onion powder, salt
- 8 slices Texas toast bread
- butter for toast, softened
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl except toast and butter.
- Spread butter on both sides of the bread and toast in a skillet on medium heat until browned.
- Spread cheese on a slice of toasted bread and top with another slice of toast.
I would love to try this. I had a bad experience once when I used packaged shredded cheese rather than grating it myself. I highly recommend freshly grated cheese. It sounds really great! Thanks…trying it soon!
Like many things, sometimes you have do it yourself to get the best results. Hope you like it!