Cabot Reduced Fat Cheese

Cabot reduced fat cheeses are a staple in our home. They're available in several varieties and flavors along with all of the other delicious Cabot cheeses. The reduced fat versions have the great flavor and texture that is pleasing in a good cheese but with a significant reduction in fat and calories.

The cheese I use most often is the 75% reduced fat sharp cheddar. It has a sharp flavor and the crumbly texture associated with cheddar. It only has 60 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. It melts very well, unlike other reduced fat cheeses. The 50% reduced fat is a little richer but still only has 70 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. The 33% reduced fat sharp has 3.5 grams of fat and surprisingly only 50 calories.

Cabot also has two flavored reduced fat cheeses. One is the 50% reduced fat pepper jack. It's a creamy jack flecked with spicy peppers. It has 70 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. Then there is the 50% lighter jalapeno cheddar. It has the same calories and fat as the pepper jack. Both flavors are great in Mexican dishes or anything you want to spice up a little more. Shred some on a tortilla, add chopped tomatoes and green onions, fold over and heat in the microwave or a skillet. This spicy quesadilla makes a quick and healthy lunch or snack.

Reduced fat cheeses melt in the oven better at lower temperatures for long periods of time. If you are baking or roasting at a high temperature, just add the cheese halfway through to avoid overbrowning it. Melting in the microwave is fine but it needs to be rotated for even melting. The uses of cheese in cooking are endless, but these healthy, tasty cheeses are great cut into cubes and eaten with some crackers and fruit for a healthy snack or appetizer.