Melissa’s Pimento Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches & a GIVEAWAY

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers… or better yet, Melissa’s Produce picked a pound of peppers and presented a plethora of Pinterest-worthy pepper preparations. If that tongue twister didn’t tickle your tongue, then the recipes in Melissa’s new cookbook, The Great Pepper Cookbook (2014; Oxmoor House, $29.95) will. It is packed full of information about all kinds of peppers from the mild bell to the unbelievably hot scorpion. Lucky you, I’m giving one signed copy away! You can enter via the widget below.

Melissa’s invited me and several others to their headquarters to get a taste of what’s inside this cookbook. While there, we received signed copies of the book and I procured a second one signed by the chefs for one of my lucky readers! We tried many different recipes and all were delicious. I couldn’t wait to get home to try out some more peppery recipes from their collection.

These Pimento Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches were my first to try on the list and they are bomb. I love pimento cheese anyway, but this recipe seems to have an extra punch of flavor and is now a new favorite in our house. I paired them with Melissa’s Red Hot Lemonade for a cool touch with a kick. Read below for the recipe for Pimento Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches.

Did you know that peppers are super good for you? They are full of antioxidants and just one cup of peppers can provide 100% of your daily Vitamins A & C. They come in a rainbow of colors and add tons of flavor to an otherwise bland dish. And, did you also know that peppers, like tomatoes, are actually a fruit? Who knew those barrels of salsa you’ve been dipping your chips into are actually just chopped up fruit salad?

Melissa’s Produce has created this cookbook to show the versatility of these gorgeous little beauties with a focus on flavor rather than heat. That’s not to say there aren’t some spicy recipes in the book for you heat-lovers; there are! Recipes range from drinks to desserts and everything in between. They’ve even included a TON of information about all the different kinds of peppers out there and how to use them.

Want your own copy of this HOT book?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

• One winner will receive a copy of The Great Pepper Cookbook signed by the chefs.
• Must be a U.S. resident 18 or older to enter with a valid U.S. mailing address.
• Deadline to enter is May 7, 2014 at 8:00 pm PST
• Winner will be notified by email and must respond with mailing address within 48 hours.
• The more you enter, the better your chances. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Melissa’s Pimento Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches

The Great Pepper Cookbook (Melissa’s Produce)

Servings: 10 • Size: 1 sandwich • Weight Watcher Points+: 6

Calories: 200 • Fat: 13g • Carbs: 17g • Fiber: 1g • Protein: 5g

Sugars: 2g • Sodium: 420mg • Cholesterol: 25mg

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (about 1 cup)
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 2 ounces)
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 4 fresh cherry bell chile peppers, stems & seeds removed, finely diced (about 1/3 cup)
• 1 large shallot, finely diced (about 2 Tablespoons)
• ¾ cup watercress or arugula
• Fresh cherry bell chile peppers, thinly sliced (optional)

Directions:

1. Bake biscuits according to package directions; cool to room temperature.
2. Place cheeses and next 5 ingredients (through shallot) in a food processor or blender, pulse to combine.
3. Cut biscuits in half. Top biscuit bottoms evenly with cheese mixture and watercress and sliced chiles if desired. Top with biscuit tops. Serve.

NOTE: You can make the pimento cheese up to three days in advance and store in the refrigerator.