Simple is Better and Homemade is Best! Sandwiches for Summer

I remember mom’s pimento cheese and also her olive cream cheese sandwiches like it was yesterday and sadly, it wasn’t. But I can taste them with a mouth watering yearning as if she just made them for me on a sunny summer afternoon, recently.

Mom died of lung cancer way too young. She was 66 years old and I was just 42 with two kids who were 10 and 12, a busy husband and a whirlwind schedule of my own. We had moved to Kentucky from Oklahoma just 5 years prior to this and at the time, I was substitute teaching and working as a Christian Education Director at church. The kids were into soccer, basketball, scouts and piano. Oh my goodness, I digress. Sandwiches! You are reading summer sandwiches!

So why do I mention all of this? We all live busy lives and we all have sick (or waaaay too busy) relatives and friends. We need simple and let’s face it, we want our mamas to make us a summer sandwich. If your mom is still on this earth with you, why don’t you make this for her? Or make it for that sick or very busy friend. Do it for me! I’d give anything to eat this with my mom, dad or grandparents any given day, but they are all gone. However, I was the kitchen kid who watched and tasted everything as it was prepared. Lucky for you, I remember how these are made and I make them often. Do you want to know how? You should because homemade is always, always worth the effort and think of it this way – you know what’s in it when you prepare it! Tell me if it turns out ok or better than ok. I like to hear that.

Love,

Marci

Pimento Cheese (like mama made it)

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1 cup pepper jack (or gouda)

3 tablespoons Duke’s mayonnaise

2 tablespoons dill pickle relish

Small jar of pimentos, diced and drained

Salt, pepper and garlic seasoning to taste

Note: I have added 4 oz. of cream cheese and taken out a tablespoon of mayo for some loved ones. Add it all, if you like. Add jalapenos too! Serve on white bread with a slice of tomato if you want to be all southern about it. Recommended by me, the chef!

Olive-Cream Cheese Sandwiches

This one’s really hard. (She smirks) See if you can remember it:

Chopped green olives, about 1/2 cup

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1-2 tablespoon, mayonnaise (Duke’s for me!)

Salt and pepper and/or a multi-seasoning like Cavendar’s Greek mix.

Note: Stir it up and chill a bit before spreading on your choice of bread or cracker. Again, white or french bread is best. A dear friend adds crushed pecans to hers and I love it. (Probably about 1/2 cup) I also love this mixture with thin cucumbers on top of the mixture before topping with another slice of bread.

Enjoy! When I make them next, I will add a picture! Let’s see who reads this without one!

Pictured here is grandson Noah, for cuteness! He’s eating but not sandwiches.