Pimento Cheese Spread

I was introduced to pimento cheese when I moved to the south 22 years ago.  It is sometimes called Carolina Caviar, and is delicious on crackers, celery sticks, or sliced baguette, on top of a burger, as a filling in finger sandwiches or cherry tomatoes, and I'm told it makes a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. This is one of those recipes that people tweak and make their own, so the variations are pretty endless.  This is the one I just made, based off of Ree Drummond's recipe, and it is a.maz.ing.  mwah!


4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 T. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. black pepper
a couple of shakes of Texas Pete hot sauce

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 oz. jar red pimentos, drained and chopped

Mix together the cream cheese, mayo, Dijon mustard, pepper, and hot sauce in a bowl until smooth and well blended.  Stir in the shredded cheese and chopped pimentos.  Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours to blend the flavors.  Take out and let sit for 15 minutes before serving



variations:
try a combo of cheeses, such as
      1/2 cheddar, 1/2 Monterey Jack
      1/2 cheddar,  1/2 mozzarella
      1/2 cheddar, 1/2 smoked gouda
mix-ins might include grated onion, chopped scallions, crumbled bacon, chopped jalapenos, chopped pecans
try adding Worcestershire, garlic powder, or chopped dill..... whatever floats your boat.