This riff on pimento cheese takes a crowd-pleasing favorite to a new level. The spice and vinegar of Italian giardiniera add a note of acidity that the traditional version lacks, making it a delicious condiment for a cocktail-hour board of seafood. Vencio serves up steamed prawns, clams, mussels, and squid with Spicy Giardiniera Pimento Cheese, accompanied by red beans and rice garnished with fresh chopped herbs, lemon, and rockweed. For this recipe he uses local Portogallo Spicy Giardiniera from Pennsylvania Mac Co. We recommend you pair this delectable menu with a pitcher of dry, ice-cold martinis. The combination will make for a very happy Happy Hour.

Spicy Giardiniera Pimento Cheese

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• Author: Rafe Vencio

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Description

Spicy Giardiniera Pimento Cheese is a bold twist on the classic spread, mixing creamy cheese with tangy, spicy giardiniera. 

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Ingredients

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• 1 pt Portogallo Spicy Giardiniera from Pennsylvania Mac Co., minced
• 12 oz shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup canned pimentos, minced
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Drain and squeeze excess liquid from giardiniera. Mince giardiniera. Reserve liquid for another recipe.
2. Using a food processor, combine all ingredients except giardiniera. Pulse until well combined. Then add giardiniera and pulse until mixed well.

Try Rafe Vencio’s other recipes using Western Pennsylvania jarred ingredients:

• Kimchi Butter
• Filipino White Adobo Seafood Bouillabaisse
• Smokey Chipotle Pepper Jelly Ceviche on Tostada
• HoneyRum Strawberry Jam Semifreddo Tart
• Tomato Jalapeño Marmalade and Pineapple Granita

Recipe by Rafe Vencio, Amboy Filipino Food
Photography by Dave Bryce

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