Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread

My friend Jill brought this Ina Garten recipe to a girl’s night in recently and as soon as I tasted it, my mind was totally blown! Thank you Jill for introducing me to this taste sensation and thank you Barefoot Contessa for your brilliance! I ate all of it that I could that night, dreamt of it while I slept, and rushed to the grocery store to get the ingredients first thing the next morning. IT IS THAT GOOD!!! It is creamy and ever so slightly spicy and just about the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. And the good news is: a single recipe makes a big batch!

And no, the family text was not staged…I made some when my second child arrived home for Thanksgiving and this was the actual text stream when she first tasted it (please excuse the obscenities…she REALLY liked it). Do yourself and your entire family a favor and make some today!

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup good mayonnaise, like Hellman’s
• 1.5 teaspoons granulated onion
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• kosher salt to taste
• 3/4 cup canned, pickled jalapeno peppers, drained and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions, green and white parts (3-4 scallions)
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• 4 cups grated sharp white cheddar (10 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• crackers or chips for serving

Combine everything in a big bowl and prepare yourself to fall in love!