It feels like 5 months ago I was writing about The Masters, not a year! Oh, wait…what a weird year! A mere 5 months ago, I brought you one of my favorite things I’ve made for this page: Pimento Mac and Cheese! It was truly incredible! Creamy, delicious, heart stopping…literally. Obviously, beings that it is The Masters, I had to do another take on Pimento Cheese! Now teeing off, the winner of the greatest app in golf tailgating history, a 2021 creation: Fried Pimento Cheese Sticks! **with Pimento Ranch**
A Tradition Unlike Any Other
Tradition is something that is seen throughout ALL sports. However, golf is absolutely INSANE when it comes to tradition…honestly, to a fault, but that’s neither here, nor there. I’ll jump off my soap box now…The Masters has an amazing tradition of good, cheap food and beer!
Prices have gone up a little, but still! Could you image going to literally any other sporting event and not having to take out a second mortgage just to eat a f***in’ brat?? How amazing would that be!? As you can see, with cheap food and beer prices, they hook you up with some Tylenol and Aspirin. A nice little hangover cure! The 3 foods that stand out though: Egg Salad, Ham-and-Cheese on Rye, and PIMENTO CHEESE!!
A New Tradition…Unlike Any Other: Fried Pimento Cheese Sticks
You always see Pimento Cheese Sandwiches or dips. Last year, I took that to a new level…hell, 2 years ago I did, too! I had only made Main Meals…that needed to change. Don’t worry, you won’t see a Pimento Cheese dessert next year. Gross. I did, however, want to get super creative with some appetizer action. Obviously, I could’ve just made the dip and called it good. Well, that is boring as hell. Let’s get some Fried Pimento Cheese Sticks going, right?!
Fried Pimento Cheese Sticks
I mean, come on! Look at these perfectly fried morsels! Unlike most of my food on here, these do take a little more prep time, waiting, and messy hands. Why, Mr. Foodie guy? Well, these are like mozzarella sticks, the internal product needs to be frozen while it goes into the fryer/pan! If they’re not frozen, you won’t have cheese sticks, that’s for damn sure. Here are some helpful hints and also products:
You should start this process the night before! This will ensure that the Cheese Sticks are frozen prior to frying. If you go on Amazon, you can pick the ice tray (I got the 3 pack) and lunch container for super cheap. PLUS, they’re super reusable! It is obvious what the ice cube trays are for…I hope. The lunch containers, on the other hand, may not be. They make the perfect dredging station! Use 3 of them on putting the product (AP Flour, Egg Wash, Crumb) in the large section. The smaller sections can be used for excess product that needs to be knocked off!
Pimento Ranch (ALL OF THE PIMENTOS!)
I decided to be a little…A LOT extra with these Pimento Cheese Sticks. Why not make a dipping sauce that follows suit then?? Ranch is king in the Great White North. Second soap box time: BLUE CHEESE IS SUPERIOR TO RANCH! **Steps back off of soap box** However, the fresh Dill and Chives with a hint of Buttermilk took this shit over the top! Somehow, the ranch lightened the heavier, deep fried lumps of cheese!
**Beer Pairing**
Spiked Arnold Palmer
Hornell Brewing
Review coming Thursday!
Season like The Foodie, for The Masters! CLICK TO GET YOUR OWN!
Fried Pimento Cheese Sticks
Ingredients
For Pimento Cheese Sticks
- 2 c. Extra Sharp Cheddar (shredded)
- 1/3 c. Mayo
- 1/4 c. Sour Cream
- 4 oz. Cream Cheese Spread (I used Jalapeno)
- 7 oz. Pimentos (diced)
- 2 tsp. Burger Blend
- 1 tbsp. Franks Red Hot (I used thick)
For Dredging Station
- 1/2 c. AP Flour
- 1 tbsp. Burger Blend
- 4 Eggs (whole)
- 1 tbsp. Franks Red Hot
- 2 Sleeves Ritz Crackers
For Pimento Ranch
- 1 c. Mayo
- 1/4 c. Sour Cream
- 1/3 c. Buttermilk
- 2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 4 oz. Pimentos
- 1 tbsp. Fresh Dill (minced)
- 1 tbsp. Fresh Chives (minced)
- 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
Instructions
For Pimento Cheese Sticks
- Place all ingredients into medium mixed bowl.
- Mix until evenly incorporated. Spoon mixture into rectangle ice cube tray. Freeze for 8 hours.
- Once frozen, make dredging station. In 3 seprate containers, #1 Flour and Burger Blend, #2 Eggs and Hot Sauce, #3 Ritz Crackers.
- In hard bottom pan, pour about 1 in of Canola Oil in. Heat until 375F.
- Begin dredging. Flour then Egg mixture then Ritz. Instantly place in oil.
- Fry for 2-4 minutes per side (when you can see the sides starting to brown)
- Flip and do the same. Pull when done. Instantly sprinkle with Sea Salt.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before eating.
For Pimento Ranch
- Place all ingredients into bowl.
- Mix until evenly incorporated. Place in fridge to chill.
Notes
- Start by frying single Cheese Stick to ensure timing and doneness.
- Expect temp of oil to drop when sticks are added. Start oil off slightly higher than normal frying temp.
- Add Hot Peppers for a kick.
- For best results, double batter with Ritz. Sequence goes: Flour, Egg, Ritz, Egg, Ritz, Fry
