Did I make a mistake buying farmer's cheese to sub for cream cheese?

[csziggy]

Today at the store, the cream cheese shelves were nearly empty. I'd planned to buy 16 ounces of cream cheese to make a big batch of pimento cheese. The closest thing they had was Farmer's cheese so I bought two packages of that.

I've been reading up on Farmer's cheese. I think it might work, especially if I mix some milk or something (mayo?) in to make it creamier. My recipe calls for cream cheese, a little mayonnaise, some seasonings (garlic and onion powders, mustard, paprika) cheddar cheese and pimentos. Last time I made it I didn't have enough cream cheese so added extra mayo and it turned out fine.

What do you think - will farmer's cheese work?

[ret5hd]

1. Spouse says if it is the soft farmers cheese...

You are fine.

Edit: ps…she would know.

[csziggy]

2. Thanks - I went ahead a mixed up the pimento cheese

It tastes great - and should taste better once the flavors merge. The only difference I can see at this point it is not quite as smooth as cream cheese would be. But since I am eating it with celery, that should be fine.

I'll try to let you know how it is tomorrow.

[ret5hd]

3. We had the celery/cheese thingys with dinner tonight also!

[csziggy]

4. I've been doing for lunch since I've been craving protein

Two stalks of celery, with pimento cheese or peanut butter. Sometimes I make a grilled pimento cheese sandwich, but that is a luxury these days.

I like the Publix brand pimento chees but last week they had none so my husband bought the ingredients to make my own. Well, he bought cheese and cream cheese but didn't get pimentos which I fortunately had in the pantry. It turned out good, so I'd planned on making more - but no cream cheese.

The good news if this works is that farmer's cheese is lower in calories and sodium than cream cheese!

[dem in texas]

5. I never heard of cream cheese in pimento cheese until my daughter made it for a shower

She got the recipe out of Southern Living. I grew up eating pimento cheese sandwiches, my mother made all the time. I remember them served at neighbor Canasta parties. Always mayo, cheddar cheese and chopped pimento.

I still make it often, here is my recipe - a pound of sharp cheddar cheese - grated, large size jar chopped pimentos - undrained, black pepper, few shakes rice wine vinegar. Mix well with Hellman's mayonnaise. Will made about 6 sandwiches. Serve with potato chips, Sweet Heat Bread and Butter pickles and tall glasses fresh brewed ice tea.

Can't get anymore Southern than this!

[csziggy]

6. My Mom always made it with mayo, probably pretty much like your recipe.

But the Publix brand uses cream cheese and it is so much richer than the home made all mayo version.

The Farmer Cheese version is OK - but lacks the smoothness of a full cream cheese mixture. It's a little gritty in texture. The flavor is great - tangier than cream cheese - so it still works. But I miss that creaminess so next batch I hope I can get cream cheese.