Hot pimento cheese dip: a creamy crowd-pleaser recipe

Ingredients for Hot pimento cheese dip

• 200 g chipotle in adobo sauce, from a can

• ½ garlic clove, minced

• kosher salt

• 5 ml cornflour

• 150 ml evaporated milk

• 230 g sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

• 55 g cream cheese, roughly diced, at room temperature

• 60 g mayonnaise

• 115 g diced pimento peppers, from a jar, drained

• 5 ml chipotle pepper purée

How to make Hot pimento cheese dip

1. Put the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce in a small food processor or blender. Blend until smooth to form a purée, then set aside. The chipotle purée can be made in advance, stored in an airtight container, and refrigerated for up to 2 months.

2. On a chopping board, sprinkle the garlic with a large pinch of salt and gather it into a small mound. Hold the blunt side of a knife with both hands and press the sharp end down at a slight angle across the garlic mound to flatten it. Repeat this action until you have a smooth paste, then set aside.

3. In a small bowl, mix the cornflour with 1½ tsp of the evaporated milk to create a slurry. Pour the remaining evaporated milk into a medium saucepan and stir in the slurry.

4. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and gradually add the Cheddar by the handful, stirring until melted and smooth.

5. Add the cream cheese and whisk until it has melted. Stir in the mayonnaise, pimento peppers, 1½ tsp of the chipotle purée, and the garlic paste. Season with salt to taste.

6. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl or keep warm in a slow cooker and serve immediately.

7. To reheat the sauce, microwave in intervals of 30 seconds, stirring each time, until fully melted.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.