Food trucks can have imaginative food menus, and this pimento cheese pita choice was no exception. I tried it at a pottery festival we attended in Seagrove, North Carolina. After a long day of sorting through pottery, we walked by the food trucks on the way out. It was late in the day, and we were not sure there would be much food left for purchase. Then we saw pimento cheese on the menu paired with pepper jelly, pita, and bacon. We were sold!
I like pimento cheese with pepper jelly but the bacon added a new flavor and the pita added a sandwich option to the combination. It was interesting enough that I went home and created my version of this pimento cheese, pepper jelly, and pita combination. It is filling, hearty, and pretty delicious!
8ouncesMonterey Jack cheese, freshly shredded(227 grams)
1teaspoonsugar
2teaspoonsvinegar
â…” – 1cup mayonnaise(230 grams)
4ouncesjarred pimento, chopped and drained, reserving liquid in a bowl(113 grams)
Sandwich Ingredients
6small pitas
1tablespoonbutter, melted
pimento cheese from recipe(or a 12-ounce container of store-bought pimento cheese)
1small jarof pepper jelly
6stripsof bacon, cooked
Instructions
Pimento Cheese
In a mixing bowl, add the shredded cheeses, sugar, vinegar, and chopped pimento. Stir to mix well.
Add 2/3 cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of reserved liquid from pimentos to the cheese mixture, stirring well. Add more mayonnaise and/or pimento juice as needed to achieve a loose, easy-to-stir cheese mixture. Once refrigerated, the mixture will stiffen and will need stirring before using.
Sandwiches
Brush melted butter on one side of each pita. In a large skillet, place a pita with the buttered side down and cook on one side until toasted. Repeat the process for all the pitas.
Place and spread 2 tablespoons or more of the pimento cheese down the middle on the untoasted side of the pita.
Then add a tablespoon or more of the pepper jelly on top of the pimento cheese and distribute evenly.
Place a cooked strip of bacon over the pimento cheese and pepper jelly. Fold the pita bread so the bacon is in the middle of the sandwich. Serve.
Notes
Cheese
For the best flavor and texture, shred the cheese from a block. However, if using packaged cheese, use a finely-shredded cheese.
Storage
Any leftover pimento cheese can be refrigerated in a covered container for about 2 weeks.
Bacon
Cook bacon in a microwave by placing a paper towel on a microwavable plate. Place 6 strips of raw bacon spread out. Cover with a paper towel and cook on high for 4-6 minutes until crispy.
