Pimento Cheese/Shaker Potato Soup Recipes

The Cafe at the Louisville Antique Mall's Pimento Cheese

½ small yellow onion, minced
3 tablespoons chopped pimentos
1 teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon — or to taste — Tabasco
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups mayonnaise
1 pound grated mild cheddar cheese

The pimento cheese and Shaker potato soup are hearty and satifying.

In a large bowl, stir together onion, pimento, onion powder, Tabasco and black pepper. Mix mayonnaise in well. Slowly stir in grated cheeses, mixing well to fully incorporate.

Spread on white bread to make a true Southern comfort-food dish.

Makes 6 cups.

Nutrition data (18 servings): 373 calories, 37 grams fat, 12 grams protein, 9 grams carbohydrate, trace fiber, 658 milligrams sodium.

The Cafe at the Louisville Antique Mall's Shaker potato soup

2½ pounds potatoes — 2 to 3 large potatoes
8 cups (2 quarts) chicken stock
½ cup (1 stick) butter
2 large yellow onions, diced
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground white pepper
1 pint (2 cups) heavy whipping cream
2 cups milk
4 drops Tabasco
Shredded cheddar cheese to taste
Minced green onions to taste

Peel potatoes; cut into cubes. Place in a small stockpot over medium-high heat. Pour chicken stock over potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender when poked with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Skim off milk solids that rise to the top, clarifying butter. Add onions; increase heat to medium-high, and cook until onions are clear, 5 minutes or so. Add flour, salt and white pepper. Stir steadily to work out any lumps. Cook until mixture begins to brown and smell "nutty."

Stir flour mixture into potatoes and chicken stock. Add heavy cream, milk and Tabasco. Stir well, lowering heat to prevent scorching. Heat through just to boil. Serve garnished with shredded cheddar and minced green onions.

Serves 6.

Nutrition data: 660 calories, 52 grams fat, 15 grams protein, 36 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams fiber, 830 milligrams sodium.