I have long been a fan of vegetable cream cheese on bagels and came up with this recipe trying to recreate some we used to get at a restaurant back in Dallas. Since opening the B&B, we find that we use it in many different ways. We still serve it on bagels for breakfast but have tried it these other ways as well:
~ Cut cucumbers in very thin slices and spread it in between for "sandwiches"
~ Fill sticks of celery (these first two are great for low carb diets!)
~ Set out as a dip for chips or a spread for crackers
~ Roll up with tortillas and ham or turkey slices. I usually add a little dill when I serve it this way.
Mountain Thyme Vegetable Cream Cheese Recipe
2-3 radishes, cut in large pieces
2-3 green onions, chopped
1/4 bell pepper, diced
2" inches of cucumber, peel and remove seeds
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
dash of garlic powder
If you use a food processor, you can chop the vegetables in large pieces (first picture). Otherwise, you will want to finely dice all (see second picture below).
After chopping, transfer vegetables to a strainer, add a generous pinch of course salt, stir and let sit and drain for 30 minutes. This helps remove excess moisture.
Dab with paper towel and mix with the cream cheese. This keeps for at least a week covered in the refrigerator.
It is great to pull out for mid-afternoon nibbles with some carrot slices. And, as stated above, we use it lots of different ways with our snack trays, holiday gatherings and picnics!
