I live in the south and Southern Pimento Cheese is one of my favorite food groups. But, these days we are trying to make better food choices and our Weight Watcher plan is (was) working before quarantine! So, finding light and easy lunches for summer are important to me and this Weight Watcher Pimento Cheese Spread fits the bill. Since this past weekend was Mother’s Day and when my mom comes to visit we always get a tub of pimento cheese to share, I thought I’d bring something new for you in honor of her!
I’ve always loved pimento cheese and if I go to a restaurant and it’s on the menu, anywhere, I have a hard time looking away. Last fall, I shared my version of a pimento cheese recipe based on my love of South on Main. I also had a burger on our trip to Savannah last summer with pimento cheese and a fried green tomato. (Yes, you read that right!)
Many days I have a snack style lunch. It’s usually random fruit and vegetables and something I can dip them in. My mom taught me to love pimento cheese and she was coming to spend a week with me so I decided to try my hand at taking my new food rules we’ve been developing and apply them to my favorite pimento cheese spread recipe.
We were so pleased with what came up and I’ve been sharing it with my WW buddies so I had to record it and share with you! (I even got the hubs eating it by the scoop full, but had to get him away from my good crackers!)
WW Friendly Pimento Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 1 jar roasted red peppers
- 1 jar pimentos could be omitted, but they are in the name
- 1 Cup 0% non-fat Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons light Mayonaise
- 10 slices jarred jalapeños optional
- 4 oz Fat-Free cream cheese or light Laughing Cow cheese
- 2 16 oz. bags Fat-Free cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Drain roasted red peppers and 1/2 jar of pimentos.
- Put peppers and pimentos in the food processor with Greek yogurt, mayo, cream cheese, jalapenos, and 1 and 1/2 bags cheese.
- Blend to soft spread texture.
- Pour into a bowl for storage.
- Stir in the remaining shredded cheese and pimentos.
- Combine fully.
- Serve with crackers, vegetables, or on bread.
Notes
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How did the recipe for Pimento Cheese come to be?
According to Southern Living, in the late 1870s, farmers in New York began forming an unusual form of cheese the eventually became cream cheese. Trust me, I’ve been to Philadelphia and took the foodie tour and its definitely part of their home culture. Simultaneously, Spaniards started canning red peppers and shipping them over to the states.
In 1908, a Good Housekeeping recipe called for combining the two, along with mustard and chives and it was such a hit that it began being mass-produced in the South. Georgia farmers began growing red peppers and canning up to 10 million cans annually. It took off in the south, as so many good things did coming from Georgia and the rest of the story…is history.
And, thank goodness. But, I’m still not sure why it has such a bad wrap. At least its in good company with meatloaf – now there is one to try. Pimento Cheese stuffed Meatloaf. I’m on it!
How to eat Weight Watcher Pimento Cheese Spread
- As a dip for parties or showers.
- Spread on a flatbread and toasted in the oven. Leave it like that for a cheesy pizza (cut in squares and serve as an appetizer. Or, add lunch meat or chicken to the top.
- Spread on flatbread or tortilla. Add lean meat, spinach, bell peppers. Roll and warm as a pinwheel sandwich. Also slice in ¼ inch cuts and serve as party pinwheels.
- Put a big ole scoop on top of a burger! Eat open face with other toppings or inside iceberg lettuce instead of buns.
- On top of a baked potato topped with BBQ meat.
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You may also enjoy some of these other Weight Watcher (friendly) recipes
- WW Turkey Sausage Omelet Breakfast Muffins – zero points
- WW Skinny Lasagna Soup
- WW Slow Cooker Mock Gumbo
- WW Turkey Meatloaf Sheetpan Scoops
- WW Friendly Crockpot Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Skinny Cheeseburger Mac | 6 servings at 5 points each
- Cowboy Caviar – Black-eyed Pea Salad
- WW Friendly Pimento Cheese – all the same Southern flavor
- Zero Point Mexican Fruit Cup – snack, appetizer, or lunch side
- Zero Point Chicken Salad – per serving, two servings= 1 point
- Salmon and Summer Vegetables Sheet Pan Meal
- Potluck Perfect Confetti Corn – veggie-filled side dish
- Ranchero Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Stacked Enchiladas/Mexican Lasagna – low points, big portions
- Slow Cooker Venison Swiss Steak
- BBQ Chicken Pizza – 2-ingredient dough with SF BBQ Sauce
- No Sugar Added Slow Cooker Apple Butter – zero points
- Crockpot Turkey Tacos
- Morning Breakfast Sandwiches – Egg McMuffin style
- Southwest Egg Breakfast Casserole
- Cantina Style Salsa – zero points
- Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
