Protein Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese is a staple at nearly every event in the South, weddings and funerals and baby showers and bar mitzvah's (if we had any) ALWAYS have a big bowl and lot's of "spread-ons".  

Granny used to make all our pimento cheese - then we got all "city-fied" and started buying it in those little plastic containers.  Granny's was always better, but those little tubs are SO convenient. Eventually we forgot how good Granny's was...  sad...

Well, I hate to tell you, but there are things in that little tub that are detrimental to your bariatric eating plan (I read labels) - so...  



Here is a "bariactricided" version of My Granny's Southern Pimento Cheese with added protein.

Now, as Granny would have said, "Git out yer big bowl an' a wood spoon an' foller along."


Ingredients:

3 tablespoons good Mayonnaise (see Cook's Notes)
3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons (sugar equivalent) artificial sweetener
1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of fresh black pepper
1/2 cup Unflavored Whey Protein Isolate
One 6-ounce jar whole pimentos – well drained and diced
8 ounces (REALLY) Sharp Cheddar
pinch cayenne (optional)

Instructions:

• Grate your cheddar with the large holes on a box grater
• Stir the mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic powder, sweetener, salt, pepper, optional cayenne and protein together in a large bowl.
• Stir in the pimentos then fold in the shredded cheddar. 
• Mixture will be a bit hard to stir, but will turn creamier once it melds together in the bowl. - also counts as cardio toward the last gym visit you missed
• Cover and chill.

Serving:

Serve small scoops on top of cucumber rounds or eat a small scoop from a dish – makes a delicious office lunch. - or glob some on top of a hot hamburger patty for true pimento cheese heaven - or make the delicious cheese "crackers" shown in this recipe

Cook's Notes:

• Good mayonnaise doesn't have any sugar in it - if you live in the south, that means "Duke's Real Mayonnaise" - If you live anywhere else, make a good friend in the South!
• A TINY pinch of Cayenne really points up the flavor, or a lot can bring on the heat - use at your own discretion.
• Cheddar cheese pro tip: Buy a pound and grate half. That way you don't knock the skin off your knuckles with the grater!