Pimiento cheese dip is a regional favourite throughout the American South, and this take leans on the deep, nutty sweetness of aged Roomano Gouda and gently candy piquillo peppers to make the basic unfold really feel further particular. A mayonnaise base is brightened with apple cider vinegar, finely grated purple onion, and a touch of sizzling sauce to chop the richness with a peppery chew and delicate warmth. 

Whereas pimientos are the basic mix-in, chopped piquillo peppers convey mild fruitiness. What actually steals the present is the Roomano Gouda. The aged cheese is concentrated with nutty, caramelly flavors and full of crunchy crystals that ship umami, rounding out cheddar’s pure tang with out making the dip too candy. The minimal chill time for the dip is half-hour, however we suggest letting the dip relaxation in a single day to permit the flavors to completely meld. This recipe is simple for entertaining by design: It’s completely no-cook, comes collectively in a single bowl, and is constructed for hosts who prefer to prep a ramification prematurely. Serve with salty crackers or crostini for straightforward scooping, pile alongside crisp crudités — the recent crunch makes the dip style even richer — or use it as a sandwich filling for a satisfying lunch. 

Is Roomano really Gouda? 

Technically, Roomano isn’t labeled as a real Gouda. It’s a Dutch Gouda-style cheese made out of pasteurized cow’s milk and usually aged three to 4 years, which dries the paste and creates crunchy crystals. Underneath FDA requirements, genuine Gouda cheese should comprise not less than 46% butterfat, and Roomano solely comprises round 45% butterfat. Taste-wise, Roomano has the same profile to aged Gouda. 

The place to purchase Roomano

The primary place to search for Roomano — it’s usually labeled and offered as “Roomano Pradera” — is at specialty cheese retailers. Relying in your location, some well-stocked grocery shops and connoisseur markets might inventory it seasonally close to the aged Goudas. Should you can’t discover it regionally, verify on-line for dependable cheese retailers like Murray’s Cheese that ship with chilly packs, and ensure to order wedges and never pre-shredded cheese. If all else fails, select the oldest Gouda you will discover. 

Notes from the Meals & Wine Check Kitchen 

• Use finely chopped roasted purple bell peppers, pimientos, or peppadews as a substitute of piquillo peppers. 
• For greatest texture, use the smallest holes on a field grater for finer shreds. You need the shreds finer than the usual facet, however coarser than a Microplane.
• If you want to substitute the Roomano, search for aged Goudas which can be dry, caramel-colored, and crystal-speckled to imitate the Roomano’s taste and texture. 

This recipe was developed by Jeremy Salamon; the textual content was written by Andee Gosnell.