Southern Cobb Salad

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Just the other week I was talking about how cool the weather was.  Fast forward to this week and it is H-O-T (with no rain)!  So the last thing I want to do is turn on the oven and crank up the heat in the kitchen.  Also, when it is that hot outside, I want something light and refreshing for lunch or dinner.  

I think most of us are familiar with Cobb salad.  The classic version features chicken, bacon, egg, veggies, avocado and blue cheese with a lemon vinaigrette.  It's a great salad, but since my family and I are also big shrimp lovers, I like to put a Southern spin on it.  I swap out the chicken for shrimp and the blue cheese for Feta cheese, then I dress it with the Pimento dressing.  I use the standard veggies, but I have been known to throw in some left over roasted beets from a previous meal.  I find that the beets make a good addition.  As I have said countless times, "make it for you, make it your own".

Sweet shrimp, smoky bacon, salty feta, crunchy veggies, creamy eggs and avocado all dressed with a sweet and sour vinaigrette...y'all gotta try this salad. It's so good!

Sunday Dinner

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Pimento Cheese Stuffed Deviled Eggs

Hickory Smoked Pork Ribs

Classic Creamy Coleslaw

Stove-Top Baked Beans

Angel Biscuits

Grasshopper Pie

Today is the Sunday closest to my son's birthday, so he gets to pick the menu.  I figured that ribs were going to be the main attraction.  Last night I was thinking about a great appetizer we could enjoy right when he gets home from the Bears game today.  He is there with his grandfather and uncle on this beautiful, sunny, first full Sunday of the NFL schedule.  

What could be better than finding another vehicle for delivering the great taste of pimento cheese?  Deviled eggs make an excellent platform for the rich, tangy flavors found in this recipe.  When jalapeño is added for a kick, well, these eggs make themselves downright irresistible.  

Sunday Dinner one year ago

Pimento Cheese

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I love my Southern heritage.  Its culinary treats from barbecue to biscuits have enriched my life.  There is so much to love and eat!

I think it is safe to say that every true southerner has a recipe for pimento cheese.  There are acceptable versions of it in the store, but there is nothing like homemade pimento cheese.  

Southerners eat this stuff like peanut butter.  Whether it is on crustless white bread for a garden party, stuffed in celery for bridge club, or served with good butter crackers for a football tailgate, they eat pimento cheese by the bucket loads.  And I understand why.  Cheese, mayonnaise, sweet peppers, and hot sauce...what's not to love?

Fortunately, I am able to share my Southern roots with my husband and children to expand their culinary world.  They love this stuff!  Actually, my children do not know life without it.  They were eating pimento cheese when they were babies.  We mostly eat it with crackers, but I enjoy it on white bread with a thin slice of ham.  Yum!

There are countless recipes out there for pimento cheese.  I feel like I have tried them all.  But this one is the keeper!  I keep the heat to a minimum for the kiddos and serve extra hot sauce on the side.  To turn up the heat, add some diced pickled jalapeños.  Just remember, like my Sweet Onion Cheddar Spread, get the good stuff and grate it yourself.  It makes a difference.

So, whether you are from the North, South, East, or West, serve this at your next party or get-together.  Because even if your guests have never heard of pimento cheese, they will quickly hop on board!