Snazzy Party Spreads

Snazzy Party Spreads

At holiday entertaining time, I'm in an endless search for the perfect appetizer—one that is simple, tasty, and versatile.

Looking for inspiration, I picked up my old edition of the Joy of Cooking and came across an entry on cream cheese. By blending this old favorite with a few stylish ingredients such as cured olives, fresh herbs, garlic, roasted peppers, bits of hard salami, roasted nuts, or even stronger cheeses like bleu and goat cheese, ordinary cream cheese becomes everything I could want in an appetizer spread.

Pack one or more spreads into crocks or small bowls, and group them on a tray with an assortment of interesting crackers and clusters of grapes, sliced fresh pears and apples, or celery stalks.

Bleu Cheese Walnut Spread

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
• 4 to 8 ounces crumbled bleu cheese
• 1/2 cup toasted, chopped walnuts
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Blend well. Spoon into crock or serving dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onion slices. Serve with crackers, cut fruits, and vegetables. Makes about 2 cups.

Border Green Chili Cheese Spread

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 can (4.45 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Hot pepper sauce, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Blend well. Spoon into a crock or serving dish. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with crackers and cut vegetables. Makes about 2 cups.

Olive Herb Cheese Spread

• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped, assorted cured Greek, French, or Italian olives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• Black pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Blend well. Spoon into a crock or serving dish. Garnish with chives or fresh herbs. Serve with crackers, cut fruits, and vegetables. Makes about 2 cups.

Mindy Merrell is a cookbook author and regular contributor to American Profile.

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