Inside-Out Veggie Dip Recipe

By traciesparks

Cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices make these savory, bite-size treats ideal for Christmas or New Year parties. —Judie Thurstenson, Colcord, Oklahoma

First made this using exact recipe -- it was too strong with onion powder or garlic, maybe both -- ub it went really fast and wished we had more. So I made it again, cutting back on onion and garlic powder. Everyone loved it!! Definitely at the top of the list.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers
• 16 cherry tomatoes
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped carrot
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Details

Servings 42
Preparation time 35mins
Cooking time 35mins

Preparation

Step 1

Peel strips from cucumbers to create decorative edges if desired; cut into 1/2-in. slices. Finely chop two slices; set aside. With a small spoon, scoop some of the seeds from the remaining slices.

Cut a thin slice from the bottoms of tomatoes to allow them to rest flat. Cut a thin slice from tops of tomatoes; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Invert onto paper towels to drain.

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, red pepper, celery, onion, carrot, seasonings and chopped cucumber.

Fill tomatoes and cucumber slices with cream cheese mixture, about 1 teaspoon in each. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Yield: 3-1/2 dozen.


Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer equals 23 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 6 mg cholesterol, 45 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 1 g protein.

Originally published as Inside-Out Veggie Dip in Taste of Home December/January 2011, p119