Pimento Cheese {Slightly Lower in Calories}

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups sharp shredded cheddar
  
• 1/4 cup pieced or chopped havarti cheese
  
• 1 ounce jar diced pimientos, reserve water
  
• 1/4 cup mayo (I love Kewpie)
  
• 3 tablespoons reserved pimiento water
  
• pinch salt and pepper
  
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
  
• sprinkle cayenne pepper (optional)
  
• toasted rye bread slices (or veggies for dipping)
  
• sliced tomato (optional)
  

Directions

1. Mix the cheddar shreds, pieces of havarti, pimiento, and mayo. Mix vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula so as to get the flavors melding thoroughly. In a separate cup, mix dry milk powder with the 3 tbsp of water from the pimiento jar and dissolve.
2. Add liquified milk powder into the cheese mixture, sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, and mix until creamy and it resembles a dip. Spread on toast, sprinkle with a bit of cayenne if you like the spicy kick followed by a slice of tomato, or pair with cruciferous vegetables, celery, or carrot sticks. Pimento cheese can even be added into cold sandwiches or as the sole ingredient in grilled cheese!