Dirty Martini Pimento Cheese is a mash-up of two of my favorite things: pimento cheese and olives. I decided to combine the flavors into a delicious stuffed olive and cheddar cheese spread. Then, I added a touch of olive brine to make things a little dirty. *wink*
Some of my most memorable snack and appetizer recipes are bread-centric, meaning they start with small slices of French or Italian bread and are topped with a variety of delicious ingredients. Take, for example, Fig Jam and Prosciutto Crostini, French Onion Crostini, Shrimp Rangoon Garlic Toasts, and Blueberry Basil Bruschetta.
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Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredients:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How this recipe came to be:
- Add-in and substitution suggestions:
- How long will this pimento cheese last in the fridge?
- Can dirty martini pimento cheese be frozen?
- How to top vegetables with pimento cheese:
- The easy way to shape a cheeseball:
- Serving suggestions:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredients:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- cheese grater or box grater
- mixing bowls
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- measuring cups and spoons
- spatula
- wooden spoon
- plastic wrap
How this recipe came to be:
Not that long ago, we were out to dinner with my husband's brother and his wife. They're both appreciate a good martini.
As we were having a cocktail before dinner, we started discussing martinis and the type of stuffed olives they typically preferred in their martinis, with bleu cheese stuffed olives being at the top of their list.
The longer we sat, the more my brain had me noodling over that particular conversation in my head. Naturally, the way my brain works, as one thing led to another, before long, I had combined pimento-stuffed olives with pimento cheese, and the rest is history.
The garlic-stuffed olives made an appearance in this recipe because I had some in the fridge (my olive of choice), so as far as I was concerned, the more intense stuffed olive flavor, the better.
I hope you'll agree. 🙂
Add-in and substitution suggestions:
Whether you follow this recipe to a T, or you decide to change things up and make it entirely your own, here are a few suggestions and recommendations you may want to try:
Substitution suggestions:
Personally, I think bleu cheese stuffed olives would be a fantastic substitution OR add-in for this cheese spread.
If you want your dirty martini pimento cheese spread to be a little creamier, consider substituting softened cream cheese (about 3 ounces) for the cottage cheese, or you can substitute mayonnaise (about two tablespoons) in place of the cottage cheese.
Goat's cheese would also make a lovely, earthy substitution if you're a fan of that flavor profile.
Add-in suggestions:
I don't know why, but the thought of sprinkling in everything bagel seasoning to this pimento olive cheese keeps popping into my head. I'm certain that would be delicious and I'm anxious to try it next time I make this recipe.
Some chopped toasted nuts (almonds, pecans, pistachios, or walnuts) would also make a delicious, flavorful, and textural enhancement, if desired.
Also, I'd never tell you not to add chopped scallions to any savory recipe, and I don't know why I didn't add them to this cheese spread to begin with, but I will next time!
How long will this pimento cheese last in the fridge?
If wrapped well and stored in an airtight container, this pimento and olive cheese will last for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Can dirty martini pimento cheese be frozen?
Yes, it can be frozen, but freezing will most likely alter the texture of the cheese once thawed.
That said, the taste will still be good, so after freezing it, it may be best to use this cheese spread as a mix-in to other foods; as in my recipe for Pimento Cheese Mashed Potatoes, or melted (over low heat on the stovetop) and poured over baked potatoes or vegetables (see the video below).
How to top vegetables with pimento cheese:
The easy way to shape a cheeseball:
- Place the entire amount of pimento and garlic-stuffed olive cheese into the center of a large piece of cling wrap.
- Bring the four corners of the cling wrap over the cheese to meet in the center and twist the cling wrap to tighten it over the cheese.
- As the cling wrap tightens around the cheese, it will naturally form into a ball.
- Once you have a cheeseball shape you're happy with, store the cheese in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Serving suggestions:
- If serving this cheeseball as an appetizer, I suggest serving it at room temperature with baguette slices, crackers, or assorted vegetables for dipping or spreading.
- However, you can also spread this pimento and olive cheddar cheese on firm whole-grain or pumpernickel bread slices and broil (open face) until the cheese is hot and melted. Cool slightly and then cut the bread into appetizer-sized pieces.
- Another way to serve dirty martini pimento cheese is as a grilled cheese sandwich. Spread a generous portion of cheddar olive cheese between two firm slices of bread and grill in a skillet or panini maker with a slathering of butter until the bread is golden, and the cheese has melted to perfection.
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Printable Recipe Card
Dirty Martini Pimento Cheese (no alcohol)
Equipment
- box grater optional
Ingredients
- 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 7 ounces horseradish white cheddar cheese grated
- ½ cup (2 sticks) cottage cheese any variety
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 jar (7 ounces) pimento stuffed olives drained and chopped (reserve ¼ c olive brine)
- 3 ounces (approximately ¼ cup chopped) garlic stuffed olives drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup reserved olive brine
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed.
- Form into a ball using plastic wrap and chill for 1-2 hours before serving.
- Allow the cheeseball to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve with bread, crackers, and assorted vegetables. Or spoon over hot potatoes, vegetables, etc.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you'll enjoy making (and eating) this delicious pimento cheese spread with pimento and garlic olives as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
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