Pesto-Pepper Cheese Spread

Name: Pesto-Pepper Cheese Spread
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 3 cups.
Ingredients: 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 2 cups crumbled goat cheese; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 3 tablespoons prepared pesto; 1/3 cup chopped roasted sweet red peppers; Assorted crackers or sliced French bread baguette

I get tons of recipe requests whenever I bring this zippy spread to a party. Use convenient store-bought pesto or your favorite homemade version. —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina

Ingredients

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
2 cups crumbled goat cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons prepared pesto
1/3 cup chopped roasted sweet red peppers
Assorted crackers or sliced French bread baguette

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, goat cheese, oil, thyme and garlic.
Line a 1-qt. bowl with plastic wrap. Place a third of the cheese mixture in bowl; top with pesto, half of the remaining cheese mixture, the peppers and remaining cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Invert cheese mixture onto a serving plate; discard plastic wrap. Serve with crackers.

Nutrition Facts

1/4 cup: 243 calories, 23g fat (13g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 264mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein.

Originally published as Torta California in Country Woman Christmas 2010

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Sherry

Dec 20, 2017

This spread was a huge hit at our holiday party! When I make it again I think I will add more seasoning to it. I served it with toasted baguette. It has great presentation.