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God Save the Quinoa

Pimento Poppers

A lighter version of traditional Southern pimento cheese stuffed in jalapenos wrapped in bacon coated with brown sugar.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 10
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For Pimento Cheese
  • • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • • 1.5 cups fat free cheddar cheese shredded
  • • 1 Tbs chives diced
  • • 5 oz. fat free cream cheese I used weight watchers cream cheese
  • • 3/4 cup plain non-fat Greek Yogurt (I used Greek Gods 0% plain greek yogurt)
  • • 8 oz. jarred pimentos drained
  • • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
  • • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • • Salt & pepper to taste
  • • Jalapeño seeds for additional spice
For poppers
  • • 12 jalapenos sliced in half lengthwise
  • • 10 - 12 pieces of bacon
  • • 1/4 cup of dark brown sugar

Method
 

  1. • To make pimento cheese, mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined. Place finished product in an airtight container and store in refrigerator until needed.
  2. • Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
  3. • Slice jalapenos in half lengthwise and remove seeds. (Place jalapeño seeds in pimento cheese mixture to add additional spice). You should have 24 jalapeño halves after slicing.
  4. • Line baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray.
  5. • Remove pimento cheese from fridge and scoop 1 heaping teaspoon of pimento cheese into each jalapeño half. (Use more or less pimento cheese depending on size of jalapeño).
  6. • Cut bacon strips in half, wrap tightly around cheese stuffed jalapeños and arrange on baking sheet face side up.
  7. • Once all jalapeños have been placed on baking sheet, sprinkle 1/4 cup of dark brown sugar over jalapeños, generously covering bacon.
  8. • Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until bacon is crisped to your liking.
  9. • When done, remove from oven and serve immediately.

Notes

Pimento cheese recipe above yields 2 cups + amount needed to stuff jalapeños. Enjoy pimento cheese dip with crackers or on sandwiches.
2 cups Pimento cheese: Servings: 6, Serving size 1/3 cup, Calories per serving: 115
Make poppers vegetarian friendly by removing bacon. Cook for same amount of time.