Olive-Rice Cheese Spread

Name: Olive-Rice Cheese Spread
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 cups.
Ingredients: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons prepared Italian salad dressing; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 cup cooked wild rice; 2 tablespoons diced carrot; 2 tablespoons minced chives; 1 tablespoon sliced ripe olives; 1 tablespoon sliced pimiento-stuffed olives; 1/4 to 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

"My daughter, Amy, won a blue ribbon for this recipe at our town's Wild Rice Festival," writes Sandy tichy of Kelliher, Minnesota.

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons prepared Italian salad dressing
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup cooked wild rice
2 tablespoons diced carrot
2 tablespoons minced chives
1 tablespoon sliced ripe olives
1 tablespoon sliced pimiento-stuffed olives
1/4 to 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Directions

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, salad dressing, basil and pepper until smooth. Stir in the rice, carrot, chives and olives.
Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, top with almonds.