Heart of the Home

PIMENTO CHEESE: a favorite Southern staple

The “pâté of the South” is how some refer to pimento cheese. But what some might not know is that while this delicacy is synonymous with the South, its origins are in New York.

According to food historians, it started when New York farmers began making cream cheese in the 1870s. During the same period, the U.S. started importing pimientos, sweet red peppers from Spain.

The two ingredients were combined, and the second ‘i’ in pimento was eventually dropped. While the spread originally was sold as a prepared food, home cooks started creating their own versions after World War II. Expensive to import, pimentos were grown for canning in Georgia, and the popular cheese was fine-tuned in Southern kitchens.

The variations and applications of pimento cheese are limitless. Just about any type of cheese can be used, though a sharp cheddar is traditional.

A simple spread, pimento cheese can be dressed up or dressed down. It can be enjoyed with crackers or added to grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, toasted bagels, baked potatoes and even deviled eggs.

Pimento Cheese

INGREDIENTS

8-ounce package cream cheese, softened 2 cups shredded, extra-sharp cheddar cheese ⅓ cup mayonnaise 1 pinch of garlic powder 4-ounce jar diced pimientos, drained

DIRECTIONS

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat cream cheese on medium speed until creamy. Add shredded cheese, and continue beating until light and fluffy. Mix in the mayonnaise and garlic powder. Stir in the pimiento, cover, and chill overnight.

—Mary Jane Jones, Tazewell County, in Cooking Virginia Style with Farm Bureau Women

Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread

INGREDIENTS

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese ½ cup milk 2-3 tablespoons butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

In a large mixing bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Refrigerate for about 1 hour until well chilled. Heat oven to 400° . Remove the flour mixture from the fridge, and stir in the pimento cheese until it’s incorporated, and the mixture looks crumbly. Slowly add enough milk until a dough forms. Turn dough onto a floured board, and knead just until a ball forms. Pat out the dough to about ½" thick, and cut with a circle biscuit cutter. On a greased baking sheet, place dough rounds side by side. Brush tops with melted butter. Bake for 10- 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven, and brush the tops again with melted butter.

8-ounce package cream cheese, softened ¾ cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon onion powder 2 tablespoons diced jalapeno peppers 4-ounce jar diced pimientos, drained 1 tablespoon sour cream dash of hot sauce, optional

DIRECTIONS

Either in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, or in a bowl with a spatula, combine all ingredients and mix until well blended. Serve chilled with your favorite crackers or tortilla chips.

—Recipe adapted from Southland Dairy Farmers

Pimento Cheese Biscuits

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder salt, to taste ⅓ cup butter 4 ounces pimento cheese (either premade or use one of the previous recipes)

—Recipe adapted from Clemson University Cooperative Extension

Cheesehead Sliders with Pimento Cheese

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground beef, 93% lean or leaner ½ cup beer ¼ cup soft bread crumbs 2 teaspoons chopped garlic ¼ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon pepper ¼ cup pimento cheese (either pre-made or use one of the previous recipes) 8 slider buns or small dinner rolls, split

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, beer, bread crumbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into eight ½" thick small patties. Place patties on a grill rack over medium, ash-covered coals. Cover and grill 8- 10 minutes (or, over medium heat on a preheated gas grill, covered, for 7-9 minutes), turning occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the patties registers 160°. When done, remove from the grill and place burgers on the bottom half of the slider buns. Evenly spread cheese over the burgers. Add top bun, and serve.

Classic pimento cheese is considered a Southern staple, but it originated in New York. No matter its origin, it's good with crackers.

—Recipe adapted from the National Beef Council

| MEDICARE ADVANTAGE cont'd from page 22 »

also may include dental, hearing and vision coverage, fitness allowances and reimbursements for assistive devices and over-the-counter drug purchases. Supplemental benefits vary by plan.

A study commissioned by the Better Medicare Alliance revealed the number of supplemental benefits offered by Medicare Advantage plans increased in 36 of 41 categories over the past year. Notably, meal benefits now are provided in 57% of all Medicare Advantage plans, and 46% include transportation services to and from doctors’ visits.

Charles Sowers, senior market account executive for Virginia Farm Bureau Health Care Consultants, said Medicare Advantage plans’ resemblance to group policies offered by employers have helped drive understanding and popularity.

He noted that subscribers are subject to higher premium costs with Medicare Supplement Plans, so the low-cost premiums of a Medicare Advantage Plan offer significant value in cost and coverage.

“With Medicare Advantage, there are low-premium plans that are going to include both medical and drug coverage, whereas with a Medicare Supplement Plan subscribers have to purchase drug plans separately,” Sowers said. “So rather than spending upwards of $150 to $200 per month for coverage with a Medicare supplement, they’re instead paying $0 to $50. That makes a big difference for some folks out there.”

While low premium costs can be enticing, it’s important to keep other factors in mind when shopping for coverage, said Gina Gentilini, senior account executive for HCC.

Before deciding on a plan, customers should consider their benefit needs, possible out-of-pocket expenses, prescription costs and whether their providers are enrolled in a plan’s network.

“The key is to focus on the big picture of what the overall cost of care will be,” Gentilini said. “It’s important to do your research, and have a trusted advisor to help you compare the two types of coverage—Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplements—to see which one is going to be the best for you.”

For more information on Medicare Advantage plans, or to attend one of the free Medicare educational seminars offered through September, contact your local Farm Bureau office or call 800-229-7779.

Farm Bureau members receive

$500 BONUS CASH * ON ELIGIBLE NEW RANGER, F-150 OR SUPER DUTY ® Whether farm or front yard, Farm Bureau® members Whether farm or front yard, Whether farm or front yard, Whether farm or front yard, Farm Bureau® membersWhether farm or front yard,

get BIG savingsFarm Bureau® membersFarm Bureau® members get BIG savingsFarm Bureau® members

with John Deere! get BIG savings get BIG savingswith John Deere!get BIG savings with John Deere! with John Deere!with John Deere! FORD F-150

FORD SUPER DUTY® We are proud to offer exclusive savings to Farm Bureau® members and be the official truck of the Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers.

Computer-generated image with available features shown.

Don’t miss out on this offer. Visit Farm Bureau Members* Save up FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com Farm Bureau Members* Save up to $1,700 with John Deere Rewards! today!

*Farm Bureau Bonus Cash is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. $500 Bonus Cash on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2020/2021/2022 Ford Ranger, F-150 or Super Duty.® This incentive is not available on F-150 Raptor, F-600, F-650 and F-750 Super Duty®. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. to $1,700 with John Deere Rewards! Learn more at JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau Farm Bureau Members* Save up to $1,700 with John Deere Rewards! Learn more at JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau Farm Bureau Members* Save up to $1,700 with John Deere Rewards! Learn more at JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau *Must be a valid member of Farm Bureau for 30 days and have a valid email address to be eligible for John Deere Rewards benefits. Learn more at JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau Farm Bureau Members* Save up to $1,700 with John Deere Rewards! Learn more at JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase or lease *Must be a valid member of Farm Bureau for 30 days and have a valid email address to be eligible for John Deere Rewards benefits. *Must be a valid member of Farm Bureau for 30 days and have a valid email address to be eligible for John Deere Rewards benefits. *Must be a valid member of Farm Bureau for 30 days and have a valid email address to be eligible for John Deere Rewards benefits. *Must be a valid member of Farm Bureau for 30 days and have a valid email address to be eligible for John Deere Rewards benefits. and take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by January 3, 2022. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details. Note to dealer: Claim in VINCENT using #37860.

Official National Sponsor:

Be wary of damage, ‘storm chasers’ throughout hail season

BY ADAM CULLER

Virginia’s hail season is April through June, so it’s not too late to ensure your property is protected from severe storms and their damages.

As most Virginians know, thunderstorms quickly can turn into hailstorms, producing hail large enough to cause extensive damage to homes and vehicles. Hailstorms frequently damage homes’ roofing and siding, and automobiles are susceptible to dents, dings and windshield breakage.

Most homeowner insurance policies provide coverage for stormdamaged roofing and siding, and auto policyholders who have Other Than Collision coverage also are protected from weather damage.

Despite these losses being covered in most cases, homeowners should be proactive in thoroughly inspecting their property after hailstorms, said Laurie Gannon, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. vice president of claims.

Homeowners should then report damages to their insurance agent to start a claim, Gannon added. Farm Bureau will assign an adjuster to assess the damage. If it’s a covered loss, a payment will be issued per the terms of the customer’s home or auto policy.

In addition to making sure their property is covered before a hailstorm occurs, Gannon also noted consumers should be cautious of “storm chasers” in its aftermath.

Within the insurance industry, storm chasers are contractors—usually from other states—who target areas where severe weather has occurred. They offer unreliable services on unnecessary roofing repairs.

According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, stormchasing contractors often fail to complete contracted repairs, and some will offer “free inspections” to intentionally damage homeowners’ roofs to secure a sale.

Together with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, IBHS has created resources to help consumers identify fraudulent contractors. Gannon said homeowners often can identify fraud when contractors claim a roof was the only part of the home damaged by a hailstorm.

“With hailstorms, there usually is collateral damage—typically there’s not going to be damage to just your roof,” she said. “You should look around to see if your siding, gutters, window screens or even your heat pump unit are damaged. To a homeowner, this type of damage usually is obvious if the hail is large enough.”

Gannon said it’s important for customers to trust that their insurance agents have their interests covered when claims are submitted.

“In most cases, our agents and adjusters have had long-term relationships with their customers, and we have always been committed to providing them with outstanding service,” she said. “We want our customers to trust in the fact that if they suffered a covered cause of loss, we will be there for them to pay for the damage.”

Virginia thunderstorms can turn into hailstorms that damage homes and vehicles. Most automobile or homeowner policies cover hail damage but it's best to check with your agent about what losses are covered.