Hot Pimiento Cheese Sandwich

 

1/3 ..................cup butter, softened
16 ...................sourdough bread slices
16 ...................thick applewood-smoked bacon slices, cooked
                      **Strawberry preserves**

1 ** Prepare Miss Mattie's Southern Pimiento Cheese as directed. **(RECIPE BELOW)
2. Butter 1 side of each bread slice. Place 8 bread slices, buttered sides down, on a hot griddle or in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Spread 1/2 cup pimiento cheese over each bread slice on griddle. Top each with 2 cooked bacon slices.
4. Place remaining 8 bread slices, buttered sides up, on bacon. Turn sandwiches, and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown.Pimiento cheese should be slightly melted.)
**Serve with strawberry preserves.**

Miss. Mattie's Southern Pimiento Cheese                         **Makes about 5 cups**

1/2 .................cup chopped pecans
1 ....................cup mayonnaise
1 ....................(7-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained
1/2 .................cup chopped jarred sweet-hot pickled jalapeno pepper slices
1 ....................tablespoon liquid from sweet-hot pickled jalapeno pepper slices
4 ....................cups freshly grated mild Cheddar cheese (1 lb.)                 
**Garnishes:**sweet-hot pickled jalapeno pepper slices, toasted chopped pecans**

1 .      Bake 1/2 cup chopped pecans at 350° in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool 20 minutes.
2 .       Stir together mayonnaise, diced pimiento, pickled jalapeño pepper slices, liquid from sweet-hot pickled jalapeño pepper slices, and toasted pecans. Stir in Cheddar cheese until well blended. Garnish, if desired.

TIP:
I use with The Original Texas Sweet & Hot Jalapeños. You can use what's in your area.

Miss. Mattie's Southern Pimiento Cheese gets its sweet and spicy taste from sweet-hot pickled jalapeno peppers. The toasted pecans add to its Southern flair.