Cucumber Veggie dips and spreads

In the spring and summer months I love making cream cheese dips and spreads with lots of fresh veggies.  They are so versatile adding whatever vegetable and seasonings to a block of softened cream cheese.  They are very yummy as a spread on a sandwich, or eaten with crackers or chips.  They can be cold out of the refrigerator or heated a few seconds in the microwave.  I make one of these every couple of weeks all summer long with whatever I've gotten at the farmers market and whatever seasonings I have on hand.  I also have several dry dip seasoning mixes that I add to change up the flavors.  The possibilities are endless. One of my favorites is cucumber spread and I like using a combination of regular and Armenian cucumbers. Armenian cucumbers are actually in the melon family and have a nice mild flavor.  They can be eaten raw or cooked and are great pickled.   It's just finely diced cucumbers, cream cheese, a little mayonnaise, seasoned salt, pepper and parsley mix.  This last batch I made I added oregano which was really tasty.  Sometimes I add lemon pepper.  The key is to finely chop or shred the veggies, cut out the seeds in the cucumbers and add a little mayonnaise to make it creamier. My favorite veggies to use are cucumbers, radishes, carrots, celery and some type of greens like kale, spinach or lettuce.  I've also used the green parts of bok choy when I've gotten it at the farmers market. Fresh or dried herbs or any combination are great as well.  When making a basic dip, I often add shredded cheddar cheese.

Here's the recipes:
Cucumber Spread
2 cucumbers, seeded and finely chopped
1 block cream cheese, softened
1 to 2 T mayonnaise
1 to 2 t seasoned salt, pepper, parsley

1 t oregano (optional)
1/4 c finely chopped fresh kale, spinach or lettuce (optional)


Place cream cheese in medium bowl, if not softened, microwave for 30 to 40 seconds.  Cut out seeds of cucumbers and finely chop then add to cream cheese.  Add seasonings and enough mayonnaise to make creamy and spreadable.  Transfer into container and refrigerate. Spread on sandwiches or crackers.


Basic Cream Cheese Veggie Dip
1 block cream cheese, softened
1 cucumber, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 to 1 c chopped veggies, carrots, celery, or radishes
1/4 c finely chopped fresh kale, spinach or lettuce

2 to 3 T mayonnaise
1/4 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 to 2 t seasoned salt, pepper, parsley
1 pkg or 2 T any kind of dry dip mix such as bacon, ranch, onion, herb blend or taco


Place cream cheese in medium bowl, if not softened, microwave for 30 to 40 seconds.  Cut out seeds of cucumbers and finely chop.  Finely chop or shred carrots, celery and radishes or any combination of veggies.  Add dry dip mix, seasoned salt, pepper and parsley to cream cheese and stir until blended.  Add in veggies, fresh chopped greens, cheddar cheese and mayonnaise.  Stir until blended and creamy. If needed, add more mayonnaise. Transfer into container and refrigerate.  To serve as dip with chips, transfer into microwave dish and microwave 20 to 25 seconds.


Enjoy,
Bamah