Now that we have a backyard, Alex and I love hosting our friends for a cookout. With the help of lawn bug repellent (this stuff is amazing) and a variety of meat and veggies, we have a party. I do have a hard time coming up with party appetizers that please most crowds. Spinach Artichoke Dip is my go-to for cooler weather, but I needed something chilled for summer. Alex quickly reminded me how much “I” like pimento cheese (it is one of his favorite dishes)! This dish is not great if you have diary-free guests, but it can be paired with celery for gluten-free guests to enjoy. My pimento cheese recipe is super simple and can be tailored to fit your preference. I am not wild about mayonnaise and love spicy foods, so sometimes I only add about 3/4 cup of mayo and closer to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Enjoy! xoxo

Images via Alex Phillips.

Print recipe for Pimento Cheese

1 1/2 cups (about 6 oz.) grated extra-sharp yellow cheddar

1 1/2 cups (about 6 oz.) grated extra-sharp white cheddar

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup (about 2.5 oz) diced drained pimento peppers

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Grate yellow and white cheddar on a medium or fine grate. Mix grated cheese, mayonnaise, pimento peppers, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until well combined. Cover and chill until cold (about 1 hour). Serve with crackers, celery, or on bread.

This weekend we are hosting some friends to watch the Super Bowl and I have been planning our menu. Yes, I know, the Cowboys are not in the Super Bowl and are kind of terrible, but a girl can dream! The easiest thing for me to whip up when hosting is a simple cheese board. I usually have a few types of cheese in the fridge, and I pretty much always have prosciutto on hand. I like to offer something creamy (usually brie), sharp cheddar, and either gouda or something strong (like blue cheese). Trader Joe’s has a great cheese selection for a reasonable price as well as a large box of assorted crackers to please all guests. I also like to add nuts, dried fruit, and honey or jam to give either a savory or sweet flavor. Trader Joe’s sells honey with the honeycomb in the jar, and I like to add the honeycomb to the board for presentation (yes, you can eat the honeycomb). A few other things on our Super Bowl menu will be spicy chicken salad, spinach artichoke dip, sausage balls, and of course chips, queso, and guacamole. Shop my cheese board and knives as well as a few other favorites below! xoxo

Images via Alex Phillips.