Pimiento Cheese BLTs

Summer has arrived in full swing so we are enjoying the art of picnicing!  Saturday night was member appreciation night at the St. Louis Art Museum so we got several couples together for a big picnic followed by a showing of "Singing in the Rain" on Art Hill.  Moe was working so he missed all the fun but the rest of us packed up a basket full of food and headed out to forest park fo the picnic. It was wonderful because we had such an array of food from fried chicken to couscous to cinnamon muffins with a maple glaze.  I brought pimiento cheese BLTs which I was so excited to try.  Everyone voted it was a keeper.  It was fun to assemble at the picnic as I sliced the tomatoes ahead of time and cooked the bacon so all I had to do was cut the bread and layer all the ingredients together.  All in all, the food was fabulous, the weather was beautiful, and the movie was hilarous.  This entire evening made me love St. Louis even more than I already do. 

Pimiento Cheese BLTs
Souce:  Adapted from Cooking Light Magazine, July 2012 (page 60)
Serves:  4 (I doubled the recipe for the picnic)

2 tablespoons bottled diced pimientos, drained
1 tablesppon finely diced shallots
1 tablespoon mayo (preferrably canola)
1 tsp cider vinegar
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (preferrably low fat)
1/3 cup fhresly grated Parmesean cheese
1-2 tablespoons greek yogurt
1/2 loaf Cibatta bread
2 tomatoes, sliced
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
6 slices bacon
1 cup arugala

Mix the first seven ingredients together (stop before you add the greek yogurt).  Mash the cheese together with the  back of a spoon to break up the cheddar cheese slices.  Add greek yogurt until you get the desired consistency.  This may require more or less than a tablespoon.  I like it smoother so I added a bit more.  Pace in fridge so that cheese firms up.

Cook bacon.  I leave this open as to how to cook the bacon (microwave, skillet, grill).  I used a grill this time and was plesantly surprised.  The bacon had a wonderul flavor that it picked up from the grill rack and the house didn't smell.  Best of both worlds if you ask me!  Once bacon is cooked, set aside to cool.

When ready to serve, spread cheese mixture (2 tablespoons per slice - more if bigger loaf of bread).  Top with tomato slices, bacon, and arugala. 

Bon Appetite!

Ratings:
Miss J, 8 out of 10
Moe, 8 out of 10 (Moe go to try the left overs the next day since he missed the picnic)

Below are pictures of the picnic and movie night...

We probably brought enough food to feed a small army.  Love Cam and Holly's entire mouth full of food in this picture :)

Alittle whiffle ball while we wait for the movie to start.

Fabulous view from our seats.

View looking back at the art museum from art hill.

I keep asking Moe when we are going to have one of these in our backyard.

And the show begins!