RECIPE OF THE WEEK: BLTs with Pimento Cheese

Bacon has undeniable appeal. With its smoky and salty flavor, bacon often can transform dishes from tasty to delicious.

There are many ways to enjoy bacon during meals, and not just at the breakfast table. In this recipe for BLTs with Pimento Cheese, bacon is the star of the show and enhanced by pimento cheese, which is a spread traditionally made from shredded cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimento peppers. It's often called the Cheese of the South because it is frequently utilized in cuisine popularized in the southern United States.

For those seeking a sandwich that is full of flavor, look no further than this recipe, courtesy of Cooking Light: Fresh Food Superfast (Oxmoor House) by The Cooking Light Editors. The recipe yields four servings.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup light pimento cheese spread (such as Price's)

8 (1-ounce) slices whole-wheat bread

12 reduced-fat bacon slices, cooked

4 green leaf lettuce leaves

12 (1/4-inch-thick) slices tomato

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Spread 1 tablespoon pimento cheese over each bread slice.

2. Top each of four bread slices with three bacon slices, one lettuce leaf, and three tomato slices. Sprinkle with pepper. Cover with remaining four bread slices. Cut sandwiches in half; secure with wooden picks. Serve with a mixed fruit salad.