Garden Vegetable Spread (Printable)
Creamy garden spread combining cucumber, bell pepper, carrot and herbs - ready in 15 minutes; chill before serving.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fresh Vegetables
01 - 1 cup finely diced cucumber, seeded and peeled
02 - 1 cup finely diced red bell pepper
03 - 1/2 cup grated carrot
04 - 1/2 cup finely diced celery
05 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ Dairy
06 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
07 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
→ Seasonings
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
12 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1 to 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
# Steps:
01 - Seed and peel the cucumber, then finely dice it along with the red bell pepper and celery. Grate the carrot and thinly slice the green onions. Combine all prepared vegetables in a medium bowl and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a spatula or hand mixer until completely smooth and free of lumps. Add the Greek yogurt or sour cream and continue mixing until well blended and creamy.
03 - Stir the minced garlic, lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, chopped parsley, and dill into the cream cheese mixture until evenly distributed.
04 - Add the prepared vegetable mixture to the seasoned cream cheese base. Fold gently using a spatula until all vegetables are evenly incorporated throughout the spread.
05 - Taste the spread and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to balance the flavors to your preference.
06 - Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled with crackers, toasted bread, or fresh vegetable sticks.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It takes exactly fifteen minutes from cutting board to table and tastes like you spent far longer.
- The crunch of fresh vegetables against the tangy cream cheese makes it impossible to stop eating.
02 -
- Seeding the cucumber is not optional if you want a thick spread rather than a soup.
- Refrigerating for thirty minutes before serving transforms the flavor from good to irresistible.
03 -
- Grate the carrot on the finest holes of your box grader so it practically melts into the spread.
- Use the flat side of your knife to smash the garlic into a paste for a smoother more even flavor throughout.