Garden Vegetable Spread (Print Version)
A light, creamy blend of fresh garden vegetables with herbs, perfect for spreading or dipping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
02 - 1/2 cup finely diced cucumber, seeds removed
03 - 1/3 cup finely chopped carrots
04 - 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
05 - 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
→ Dairy
06 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
07 - 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
→ Seasonings & Herbs
08 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
09 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
10 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
11 - 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
12 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional
13 - 1 tsp lemon juice
# How to Make It:
01 - In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt (or sour cream). Stir until smooth and creamy with no lumps remaining.
02 - Add the finely diced red bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, green onions, and celery to the cream cheese mixture. Fold gently until the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout.
03 - Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and dill until well incorporated.
04 - Add the garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice if using. Stir thoroughly until all seasonings are fully incorporated.
05 - Taste the spread and adjust salt and pepper as needed to suit your preference.
06 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled with crackers, fresh bread, crudités, or use as a sandwich spread.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It turns whatever vegetables you have wilting in the crisper drawer into something people actually get excited about.
- The cream cheese base makes everything taste luxurious without any actual cooking involved.
02 -
- If you skip seeding the cucumber you will end up with a puddle of liquid at the bottom of your bowl by the next day.
- Resting the spread in the fridge for thirty minutes before serving is not optional if you want the best flavor.
03 -
- Dice every vegetable as small and uniform as you can manage because the texture of each bite depends on it.
- If you want a vegan version, plant based cream cheese and yogurt work just as well with no other changes needed.