Garden Vegetable Spread (Printable)
Fresh diced vegetables blended with creamy cheese and herbs for a versatile spread.
# What You 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:
01 - In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt (or sour cream). Stir with a spatula until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
02 - Add the diced red bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, green onions, celery, chopped parsley, and fresh dill to the bowl. Fold everything into the creamy base until the vegetables are evenly distributed.
03 - Sprinkle in the garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice if using. Stir thoroughly until all seasonings are fully incorporated throughout the mixture.
04 - Sample the spread and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your liking, adding small amounts at a time.
05 - Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the herbs and vegetables to release their flavors into the spread.
06 - Transfer the chilled spread to a serving dish. Serve with crackers, crusty bread, crudités, or use as a filling for sandwiches and pita pockets.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It turns whatever vegetables are overflowing from your fridge or garden into something you actually want to eat.
- The cream cheese base makes everything taste indulgent even though you are basically eating a salad in spread form.
02 -
- Pat the diced cucumber dry with a paper towel before adding it or the spread will weep liquid overnight.
- The flavor improves dramatically after a few hours in the fridge, so making it ahead is always the better move.
03 -
- Use the flat side of your knife to press the cream cheese smooth against the bowl before adding vegetables for the most even texture.
- A squeeze of lemon juice right before serving wakes up flavors that have gone flat in the fridge.