Goat Cheese Spread with Smoky Sun Dried Tomatoes

By tonyglib

Here’s a quick and easy spread you can whip up for any occasion. It’s great as an appetizer, but it’s equally as good as a spread on your morning bagel.

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) plus extra to garnish
• 2 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro
• 1 small serrano chile, seeded and roughly chopped
• 8 ounces goat cheese
• 3 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, yogurt or sour cream
• Salt
• 1/4 cup recipe ready julienne cut smoked sun dried tomatoes (we prefer the California Sun Dry brand)
• Crackers and toasted baguette slices

Preparation

Step 1

Cut a slit in each clove of garlic. Place them in a microwave bowl, cover with plastic and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Cool, then, slip off the papery husk.

In a food processor, combine peeled garlic, pumpkin seeds, cilantro and serrano. Process until it’s finely ground. Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, cream and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the processor and blend until smooth. Add the tomatoes and pulse to incorporate them.

Scrape into a serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, top with the reserved pumpkin seeds. Serve with crackers and toasted baguette slices.