Lightened Up Pimiento Cheese

To all you pimiento cheese purists, we dare you not to love these healthier twists.|Article: Shannon Sliter Satterwhite, MS, RD

1. Classic Pimiento Cheese
Flashback: We lightened up the original that ran in August 2001 and got 35% fewer calories and 45% fewer fat grams!

Stir together ¾ cup light mayonnaise; 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained; 1 tsp. finely grated onion; 1 tsp. lemon juice; 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce; and ¼ tsp. ground red pepper. Stir in 1 (8-oz.) block 2% reduced-fat extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, finely shredded, and 1 (8-oz.) block 2% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded. Makes: about 3 cups

Per Tbsp: Calories 43; Fat 3.3g (Sat 1.6g); Protein 2.4g; Carb 0.7g; Chol 8mg; Sodium 113mg; Calc 68mg

• Use it in a fun party bite! Potato Skins

2. Jalapeño-Pimiento Cheese

Stir together 1¼ cups low-fat or fat-free Greek yogurt; 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained; 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro; 1 Tbsp. chopped jarred pickled jalapeño peppers; and 1 Tbsp. liquid from pickled jalapeño peppers. Stir in 1 (8-oz.) block 2% reduced-fat extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded, and ½ (8-oz.) block Monterey Jack cheese, shredded. Makes: about 3 cups

Per Tbsp: Calories 28; Fat 1.8g (Sat 1.1g); Protein 2.3g; Carb 0.6g; Chol 5.9mg; Sodium 61mg; Calc 55mg

• Use it in a fun party bite! Stuffed Vegetables

3. Three-Cheese Pimiento Cheese

Process 1 (8-oz.) block fat-free cream cheese, softened, and ½ cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese in a food processor until smooth. Stir in 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained; 2 tsp. coarse-grained mustard; 2 tsp. finely grated onion; 1 tsp. lemon juice; and a dash of hot sauce. Stir in 1 (8-oz.) block 2% reduced-fat sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Makes: about 2½ cups

Per Tbsp: Calories 27; Fat 1.3g (SAT 0.8g); Protein 2.6g; Carb 0.8g; Chol 5.2mg; Sodium 105mg; Calc 73mg

• Use it in a fun party bite! Cheese Truffles