Basil & Walnut Cheese Spread
"This is a great dip to serve with slices of raw baby zucchini, carrots, celery or snack crackers."
- Ready In:
- 15mins
- Ingredients:
- 5
- Serves:
-
10
ingredients
- 1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or garlic from the jar)
- 2 teaspoons finely snipped fresh basil
- 1⁄2 teaspoon grated lemon, rind of
directions
- Set out cream cheese until softened.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place walnuts in a shallow baking dish.
- Bake for 5-8 minutes or until nuts are browned.
- (Stir them once or twice during baking) Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Add and stir in the walnuts.
- Cover and chill for a couple of hours to blend flavors.
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Reviews
-
I made this to serve at a women's luncheon. I served it spread on cucumber slices. Wonderful flavor. The basil really makes this special. The walnuts add that heavenly crunch and flavor. There are so many things this will go well with. Thanks for a very versatile spread. -
This spread made an excellent appetizer!! We did double the garlic, used it smashed. Served it in celery, cut into 1 inch lengths. The crunch of the celery went well with the crunch of walnuts, the choice of basil, lemon, walnuts and cream cheese was a great combination of flavours. Another time I think I would double the basil. Thanks for a keeper we will use again Barbara!! -
Made this for a dinner gathering last night. It was pretty good. Very quick and easy to prepare. I did double the garlic. Next time I will add a bit more garlic and a bit less lemon rind. Also, I would let it soften up so that it is easier on the crackers. -
Our guests loved this spread! Fresh basil out of the backyard made all the difference. Very easy to make ahead of time. We toasted the walnuts in a skillet rather than in the oven, but that is the only change we made. Next time, we're doubling the recipe.
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I made this yesterday morning to serve as an appetizer for my dinner guests. It is really delicious! I made this exactly as written and I wouldn't change a thing. I liked the "hints" of garlic, basil and lemon in this recipe. The proportions of thses ingredients were just right for my tastes. I served this with assorted crackers last night (I am eating leftovers on a toasted bagel as I write this). Thank you for this recipe! I will definitely be making this one again!!!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
Aroostook
United States
Zaar...Wow, what a place! I'm one of the old timers of Zaar. I can't count the number of wonderful dishes I cooked in the past few years since joining. Along the way I have had the pleasure of meeting several Zaar chefs. Talk about your fruits and nuts! lol. I have enjoyed meeting them all.
Family: What's to say...I have had the same sweet husband forever (Good thing....I'd hate to have to break a new one in...=) and live close to a couple of grown children. (Maybe you've met Smoke Alarm Jr. ..her brown rolls are sooo good!) Therefore, my family gets together often to enjoy each other's company and cooking. My greatest joy is six "little to tallerthanme" kids running around calling me Grammy. They wear me out! lol
For the past thirty years I have been a Special Education teacher for grades 9-12 and love it. Took some time off last year to recovery from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. (Loved the radiation....I keep imagining that we are absolutely napalming the nasty cancer cells tohellandback to keep the little suckers from returning. =) My prognosis is good and now "I'm back in the saddle again". lol. Being a north country "gurl", I am happiest outside...walking, fishing, sitting in front of an outdoor fire or being on water (although in February it's a bit stiff....=0) When indoors I like to read, garden, knit, quilt and paint. During cold Maine weather I like to warm my feet on a very large ( 100 pounds of long legs and huge feet), sweet and furry golden retriever named Kerry (aka KTBRD: Kerry the big red dawg..lol) . In the summer, the dawg and I round up the grandkids, hit the local dairy bar for a Mounds Sundae that is to die for!!!=0) . Then spend a lot of long and lazy summer days at camp . All in all...Boy, Life is good! =)
