Garden Vegetable Spread (Printable)
Creamy spread loaded with fresh garden vegetables and herbs, ready in 15 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dairy & Base
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
02 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small carrot, finely grated
04 - 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 cucumber, seeded and finely chopped
06 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
→ Seasonings & Flavorings
09 - 1 clove garlic, minced
10 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
13 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
# Steps:
01 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt. Stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and free of lumps.
02 - Add the grated carrot, chopped red bell pepper, cucumber, spring onions, parsley, chives, and minced garlic to the bowl.
03 - Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Fold all ingredients together until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
04 - Taste the spread and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to suit your preference.
05 - Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop.
06 - Serve chilled alongside crackers, crusty bread, toast points, or use as a sandwich spread.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in fifteen minutes flat with zero cooking required, which makes it a weeknight hero.
- The creaminess of the cheese paired with the crunch of fresh vegetables creates a texture that is genuinely addictive.
- It is endlessly adaptable to whatever you have lingering in your crisper drawer.
02 -
- Skipping the chilling step means the spread will taste flat and one dimensional because the flavors genuinely need time to marry.
- Using cold cream cheese straight from the fridge will leave you with stubborn lumps that no amount of stirring can fix.
03 -
- Grate the carrot directly into the bowl to catch every drop of natural moisture, which actually helps the spread.
- Roll the lemon firmly on your counter before zesting to release the essential oils hiding in the rind.