October #SeriousSandwich fest, Part 4: Smoky Grilled Pimento Cheese

The "Smoky Grilled Pimento Cheese" was the last sandwich from Emeril Lagasse's terrific new cookbook, Kicked-Up Sandwiches that I made for our friends last week.  (Go here, here, or here to see my posts about the other sandwiches I made for my October #SeriousSandwich fest.)  And, I have to say, I saved it for last because it was my very favorite.

The oyster po'boy was a delicious adventure, don't get me wrong, but the pimento cheese has a special place in my heart.  My grandma used to make a cheese ball for every major family gathering, and it remains one of my very favorite things.  Hers is definitely a Midwestern-style pimento cheese ball (it may have, uh, Cheez Whiz in it), but that's what I love about it.  To me, it means home, and my family, and the holidays.  I understand that pimento cheese isn't everyone's "thing," but if you have even a single southern root, you get it.  You love it.  You crave it when you're not feeling well.  As I'm talking about it now you wish you had it.

I can't publish Emeril's recipe, but trust me when I tell you that you should buy this book and make this pimento cheese!  It has a little bit of smoked Spanish paprika, and a little bit of hot sauce, a touch of sugar, and it all comes together perfectly.

Pimento cheese coming together.

It would be great as a dip with crackers, but it really shines in this grilled sandwich.   With the crispy, girlled, buttered bread, the melty, smoky cheese tickles your tastebuds.  It is fantastic.

Prepping to grill.

Grilling the cheese sandwiches!

Platter - the delicious end result.

We ate all of those sandwich halves, but thankfully I had a little leftover to take to work for lunch a few days.  It is all gone now, and thinking about that fact makes me sad.  In fact, I am feeling a little bit like this smoky pimento cheese might become one of those foods, kind of like avocados or yogurt, that I always have in my refrigerator.  It is THAT good, and I loved it THAT much.  So much.

Do you wish you could make it for yourself?  Well!  I can help.


As a reminder, to celebrate the books exciting release, this week (October 16-19) I'm running Pages Stuck Together's first ever GIVEAWAY!  I will be giving a copy of Kicked-Up Sandwiches (a new one, don't worry, not my stained used version) to one lucky commenter.  All you have to do is tell me in the comments what type of sandwich you would like to see me write about.  I'll pick a winner, and also make and post about the Emeril recipe that most closely matches your request.  Send me a good challenge!  Fun, right?  I'm excited.  

This could be yours!

The pimento cheese was the last sandwich from my little party, but I still have lots of sandwiches left to write about!  Coming up, I have at least one more vegetarian sandwich, a meat, and a dessert, and maybe more.  Also, I have to tell you all about how I got to MEET EMERIL, and how gracious and friendly he was.  Bam!