Chock full of raw veggies, this is one snack spread you can literally feel good about serving and eating, especially if you are able to acquire or make your own cultured cream cheese. This is a favorite for parties, or just enjoying while watching a ball game together. We like to serve it with homemade Spelt Thins crackers or homemade GF crackers.
Ingredients
- 4 oz organic cultured cream cheese
- 1/4 cup each of your 4-5 favorite raw veggies (see suggestions below)
- 1/4 tsp of Celtic sea salt
- Pinch each of dried parsley and dill weed
Instructions
- Leave cream cheese on counter to soften. Once soft, add salt and seasonings and mix well to combine. Meanwhile, finely dice ¼ cup of your favorite raw veggies.Raw Veggie Suggestions: Carrot, broccoli, celery, green onion, zucchini, yellow squash, red pepper, etc. (I do not recommend using cucumber, unless you lightly salt it and let it sit in a colander for at least an hour to drain. Otherwise, it will make your cream cheese spread soggy.)
- Add finely diced veggies to the cream cheese and use a fork to mix together until well incorporated. Line a small glass bowl with a sheet of plastic wrap and add cream cheese mixture to bowl. Place in frig at least one hour (or overnight) to harden up a bit.
- When ready to serve, remove from frig and place flat side down on serving platter. Gently remove plastic wrap. Serve with your favorite crackers.
What exactly iIS cultured cream cheese? As in seperating it from the whey in raw milk? Any other way of getting it?
Hi, Jaci. Cultured cream cheese is cream cheese that has come as the result of cultured cream. (I make it using buttermilk starter added to cream. You can also make cultured sour cream using this same method, less the straining part.) My friend Wardeh has a free video you can watch that shows you the process for creating your own: http://gnowfglins.com/2011/06/07/free-video-homemade-flavored-cream-cheese/# You can also purchase it from companies such as Nancy’s brand, if you don’t have the time/interest to make it yourself: http://www.nancysyogurt.com/index.php/products/organic-cream-cheese. The benefits are that it adds some healthy probiotics to your diet. Thanks for your question! Blessings, Kelly