Delish Summer Spreads! (2021)

 

DEAR FRIENDS!

Just in time for summer fun, I’m giving you another repeat from two summers ago … Three Cheese Pimento Cheese and Cucumber Spread! I make double batches of both — they go fast and I also love to keep a little extra for hostess gifts. The Cucumber Spread should not be confused with the Cucumber Dip, which is also a summer fave. Both the Cucumber Spread and PimentoCheese are wonderful as hors d’oeuvres and on sandwiches. Think with fresh tomatoes! You can serve the Cucumber Spread on Crostini (page 280 in Basics) and top with fresh tomato garnished with fresh dill. The Three Cheese Pimento Cheese is fabulous on BLT’s or burgers. It’s also yum is scrambled eggs. Ask edthedad! Of course, you could do grilled pimento cheese, grilled bacon, tomato, and pimento cheese, pimento cheese melted on crostini. The possibilities are endless!

Enjoy this video of how to effortlessly make a double batch of Pimento Cheese. You’re going to need a lot of Pimento Cheese! 😊

Let the summer fun begin … from our family to yours!

 

 


Cucumber Spread

SERVES 10–12     Inspired by Southern Living

A summer spread that doubles as a dip!

INGREDIENTS

8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups unpeeled, chopped Persian cucumbers*
¼ cup finely chopped red onion
3 ½ tsp chopped fresh dill
3 tsp dried mint
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
*See TIPS & QUIPS below for more on Persian Cucumbers.

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients.

To serve, spread on crostini or white bread rounds with tomatoes and garnished with fresh dill or use as spread with tomato or turkey sandwiches.

DEEDEE’S NOTES

  • I recommend Persian cucumbers, which are small, thin, and usually sold packaged, vs. loose, in your produce section. They’re also firm, crisp, and taste amazing. The skin is edible, not like the thick, waxy skin on your standard variety.


Three Cheese Pimento Cheese

SERVES 10–12     Inspired by Southern Living

INGREDIENTS

8 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, grated*
4 oz Gouda cheese, grated*
4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
½–1 cup mayonnaise
1 4-oz jar diced pimento, drained
½–1 tbsp hot sauce
1 tsp McCormick Seasoned Salt
½ tsp pepper
Best to grate your own cheese rather than use pre-packaged, which comes with additives to keep it from clumping.
*See TIPS & QUIPS.

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients. Season with hot sauce to taste.

Delish on BLT’s or burgers, grilled pimento cheese, grilled bacon and pimento cheese, pimento cheese melted on crostini.

DEEDEE’S NOTES

  • Avoid using pre-packaged grated cheese as it comes with additives to keep it from clumping. To make grating easier and safer, use a box grater with cut resistant gloves. See Sources & Resources. You can also use a food processor which will make the cheese grating even more … effortless!

 


TIPS & QUIPS

Persian Cucumber

Persian Cucumbers are small, thin, and usually sold packaged, vs. loose, in your produce section. They’re also firm, crisp, and taste amazing. The skin is edible, not like the thick, waxy skin on your standard variety.

 

 

 

Cut Resistant Gloves

For Pimento Cheese, rather than buying pre-packaged grated, which comes with additives to keep it from clumping, grate your own. Two ideas to make this easier. If using a box grater, be sure to use steel mesh gloves. If you’re making a double batch, use a food processor with the grater disc and this step will take no time at all. You don’t even need to wash between the two types of cheeses because they will be mixed together anyway!

Dowellife’s Cut Resistant Gloves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Printer-Friendly Recipes:

Cucumber Spread Recipe | Three Cheese Pimento Cheese Recipe


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