Vegetable Cream Cheese (Spicy Family Recipe)
Vegetable Cream Cheese is a family recipe developed as a cost-saving alternative to store-bought veggie cream cheese. This delicious spread is flavored with veggies, green chilies, herbs, and a touch of milk for a slightly runny consistency.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/8 tsp salt
- lots of fresh black pepper
- 2 Thai green chilies finely chopped
- 1/3 cups scallions chopped
- 1/4 cup tomatoes chopped
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon milk after adding veggies
- 1/4 tsp red chili powder
Instructions
- Mix Cream Cheese - Add room-temperature cream cheese in a medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of room-temperature milk. Mix well until smooth and creamy using a whisk or spoon. Season with salt, lots of black pepper, and dried oregano. This recipe is heavy on black pepper so be generous and use a pepper grinder, preferably. Mix the cream cheese mixture well until smooth.
- Add Veggies - Add chopped tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, and green chilies. Mix well until all the ingredients are well combined. Now add Indian red chili powder (or cayenne pepper). Add another tablespoon of milk since the texture of the veggie cream cheese should be slightly runny. Mix well and enjoy with toasted bagels.
Notes
- Serving Size - one portion is enough for half a bagel. This recipe makes the perfect amount for 2 whole bagels.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese & Milk - Make sure to use room-temperature cream cheese and milk so you end up with a smooth & creamy texture.
- Red Chili Powder - Be sure to use Indian red chili powder or cayenne pepper for that spice.
- Milk - Start by adding 2 tablespoons of milk. Add another tablespoon of milk towards the end. We want a creamy and slightly runny consistency.
- Thai Green Chilies - Thai green chilies may be substituted with serrano peppers, use a quarter to a half a pepper.
- Less Spice - For less spice, use paprika instead of Indian red chili powder. Also, use jalapenos instead of Thai green chilies.
- Vegan Option - You may use non-dairy cream cheese and milk of your choice.
- Thicker Consistency - For a thicker consistency, start by using just 1 tablespoon of milk instead of 2. Add more milk if need be.
Nutrition
Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 610IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 0.2mg