Vegan Pimento Cheese Is a Thing and It’s Completely Addictive

Pimento cheese is a bonafide culinary phenomenon. But if you’re not from the south, this creamy orange creation might be new to you.

Pimento cheese is a savory, ubiquitous spread that works its magic on everything from crackers to burgers to white bread.

The traditional version of pimento cheese is made with cheese, mayo, and pimentos. And what’s a pimento, you might ask? A sweet red cherry pepper (most commonly know for its place in the middle of a martini olive).

When ground up and added to pimento cheese, however, these peppers create the signature orange hue.

And while old school pimento cheese is made with cow’s milk cheese, the popular eatery Bean Vegan Cuisine — with locations in Charlotte and Asheville, North Carolina — makes a completely addictive vegan pimento cheese that is truly unique.

They call it “pimento cheesish” and it’s absolutely amazing.

Bean is co-owned by three proud vegans: Charlie Foesch, Roy Parkhurst, and Kandice Hexter.

“We opened Bean in 2012 as a love letter to vegans,” says Foesch. “We asked a simple question: what if there was a place that you didn’t have to ask all the questions to eat a great meal? What if you could get a messy sloppy burger with all of the options, the mayo and cheese and sauce, and still be all vegan?”

That’s how Bean was born, and it’s consistently popular with both omnivores and vegans. The menu boasts the likes of fried pickles, meatloaf, burgers, sammies, decadent desserts and more.

Foesch says he’s always liked trying different recipes for cheeses and sauces, and often collaborates with his cousin Charles Josef (of Asheville’s Charles Josef Bridal) on different recipes and ideas.

Charles Josef had been experimenting with a pimento cheese concept using rice and nutritional yeast, and the two of them started working on it together. Charlie says he “some of this and some of that” and voila: the pimento cheesish recipe was born.

According to Foesch, the recipe is a special concoction of rice, miso, nutritional yeast, vegenaise and red pepper/pimento.

“The texture and taste is a ringer for conventional pimento cheese, and people are often surprised that the base is rice,” sas Foesch. “It is great as an appetizer with chips, or as an add on to any of our burgers or sandwiches.”

Everything Bean makes is completely delicious (trust me), so it’s no surprise that they nailed the pimento dip. And if you’re nowhere near North Carolina, not to fear! The brand is working on a franchise plan. Which is excellent news for foodies everywhere.

“We just wrapped up developing our franchise package for Bean, and will launch that in the beginning of 2020,” says Foesch. “We know there are people out there that want to own their own vegan business that helps the planet, but don’t know where to start or what to do, and now they can have that opportunity. We are super excited about expanding Bean far and wide!”

If you’ve got the extra funds, you might want to consider being one of the first franchisees. Cuz Bean’s food seriously can’t be beat.

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