Pimento Cheese (...The One That Tops the Vistro Burger ;)

We can’t wait to welcome you back in at Vistro so you can enjoy our burger (or veggie burger) with us! Until then, here’s how to make the pimento cheese that tops the Vistro burger along with bacon and griddled onions.

Earlier this year, I was happy to share this recipe and some tips and ideas for pimento cheese with Pamela Lannom at The Hinsdalean (and big shoutout to them for doing such a great job during this time):

He [Chef Paul] pointed to his Jar Sessions pickled peppers as one of the reasons the spread is so tasty, along with the smoked aged cheddar from Nordic Creamery in Wisconsin.

Virant suggested trying different types of cheeses in the spread.

"I think a Monterey Jack would be really good," he said.

The spread could be used on other meats, such as a pork roast, on a sturdy fish like sturgeon or with bratwurst and sausages. It could even be combined with Swiss chard, kale or collard greens to create a gratin.

"You could add it into that, put some bread crumbs on it and broil it," he said. "That would be tasty."

The dip tastes good straight out of a bowl, too - scooped up with veggies, crostini, crackers or flat bread.

"It's a perfect sort of party snack," Virant said.

Read the full article and get more recipes from local cooks …

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 cups mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika

• 1/4 teaspoon hot smoked paprika or cayenne

• 1 1/4 cup Jar Sessions Pickled Sweet Peppers or roasted red peppers, drained

• 20 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

• 1/2 cup minced yellow onion

Directions

• Place the cream cheese, lemon juice, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, 1/4 cup of the pickled peppers and the spices in the bowl of your food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.

• Finely chop the remaining 1 cup of peppers and add them to the mayonnaise mixture, along with the minced onion and shredded cheddar.

• Mix well to combine and refrigerate one hour before serving.