Light Pimento Cheese Food

PIMENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the cheddar, cream cheese, pimento peppers, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and jalapeño (if using), and several twists of black pepper.
• Beat the mixture together with a hand mixer, your stand mixer, or by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula. Beat until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
• Taste, and add more black pepper if desired, and/or salt for more overall flavor (I usually add a pinch of two). If you'd like your pimento cheese to have more of a kick, add another pinch of cayenne. Blend again.
• Transfer the mixture to a smaller serving bowl. Serve your pimento cheese immediately, or chill it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Pimento cheese hardens as it cools; let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature to soften.

LIGHTENED-UP PIMIENTO CHEESE

Steps:

• To make the pimiento cheese, combine the cheeses, onion, mayonnaise, and yogurt in a bowl. Stir until well combined. Add the pimientos and hot sauce to taste. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Cut the cucumbers into 1-inch-thick rounds, discarding the ends, but leaving the skin on. Using a small spoon or melon baller, scoop the seeds and some of the flesh out of each round (be careful not to go all the way through) to form a small cup.
• To serve, fill each cup with about 1 teaspoon of the pimiento cheese. Serve immediately.