Garden Vegetable Spread (Print Version)
Fresh diced garden vegetables folded into a creamy, chilled spread for crackers, sandwiches, or veggie sticks.
# What You 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 plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
→ Seasonings
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
# How to Make It:
01 - Finely dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and celery. Grate the carrot and thinly slice the green onions. Combine all prepared vegetables in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a spatula or hand mixer until smooth and lump-free. Add the Greek yogurt or sour cream and continue mixing until fully incorporated and creamy.
03 - Stir the minced garlic, lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, chopped parsley, and dill into the creamy base until evenly distributed.
04 - Gently fold the prepared vegetable mixture into the seasoned creamy base using a spatula, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
05 - Taste the spread and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to balance the flavors.
06 - Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled with crackers, toasted bread, or fresh vegetable sticks.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It uses whatever vegetables are exploding in your garden or looking good at the farmers market, no precise shopping required.
- The cream cheese and yogurt base makes it richer than hummus but lighter than any dip with a sour cream foundation.
02 -
- Seed the cucumber before dicing it or your spread will weep water overnight and turn from creamy into a sad puddle.
- A thirty minute chill is the absolute minimum, but two hours is when the magic actually happens and every bite tastes balanced.
03 -
- Grate the carrot on the finest holes of your box grater so it blends into the spread rather than sitting there like orange confetti.
- A pinch of extra lemon juice right before serving wakes up flavors that have gone sleepy in the fridge.