Got the holiday blues?</p><p>When you&rsquo;re in the mood for a decadent dip, a nip of blue cheese is sure to please.</p><p>Go ahead. Indulge in a smidgeon of high-fat high jinks. If you watch your portion size, an intensely flavorful starring ingredient can help satisfy your cravings for rich, creamy foods without the guilt.</p><p>The Star&rsquo;s <strong>Blue Cheese Spread </strong>uses skim cottage cheese, low-fat cream cheese and fat-free evaporated milk as a rich and creamy backdrop for the bolder, more pungent blue cheese. Top off with a sprinkling of crumbled low-fat turkey bacon bits and green onions. Spread on low-fat crackers.</p><p>Now that&rsquo;s an elegant appetizer worth singing about.</p><p><strong>&bull;Shopping tips: </strong>When spotlighting a single ingredient, buy the highest quality item you can afford. While blue cheese &ldquo;crumbles&rdquo; are inexpensive and readily available, it&rsquo;s just as easy to crumble your own by hand.</p><p>Blue cheeses include gorgonzola, Roquefort and stilton. Danish blue cheese varieties are most widely available in supermarkets but are saltier than creamy Maytag blue made in Iowa.</p><p> Since blue cheese has a strong aroma, be sure to store it in an airtight container. </p><p><strong>&bull;Cooking tips:</strong> For extra-crispy turkey bacon, cook in the microwave instead of on the stovetop. Be sure to layer the dish with paper towels to sop up the grease. </p><p><strong>&bull;Serving tips: </strong>For a festive holiday presentation, hollow out cherry tomatoes, fill each with dip, then garnish with bacon and green onion.</p><p>Use the dip to stuff mushroom caps; place filled mushroom caps on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees until hot throughout. Garnish with bacon and green onions.</p><p>The dip also may be served chilled with crisp vegetables.</p><p><hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> <strong><span class="subhead">Blue Cheese Spread</span></strong></p><p>Makes 2/3 cup or 6 appetizer servings</p><p> 1/4 cup 1-percent or skim cottage cheese</p><p>3 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles</p><p>4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, cut into cubes</p><p>2 tablespoons fat-free evaporated skim milk</p><p>2 slices turkey bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled</p><p>1 green onion, chopped (green part only)</p><p>Low-fat crackers</p><p>Blend cottage cheese in mini food processor or blender until smooth. Spoon into a microwave-safe, 4-cup bowl. Add blue cheese, cream cheese and evaporated milk. Microwave on high (100 percent power) for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is heated through, stirring midway through cooking. (If mixture is lumpy, return to mini processor or blender and blend until smooth.)</p><p>Pour into a small 1 cup crock or bowl and garnish with bacon and green onions.</p><p>Serve warm with crackers.</p><p><em>Per (2-tablespoon) serving: 77 calories (58 percent from fat), 5 grams total fat (3 grams saturated), 19 milligrams cholesterol, 3 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams protein, 283 milligrams sodium, trace dietary fiber.</em></p><p></div>