Uses for Cream Cheese

[psophia17]

I have a ton of it - most of it is destined for my bagels, but I have about a quart of it (the same price as the big container of Philly - I couldn't not buy the big one!).

What can I make with cream cheese that isn't cheesecake?

[mudder17]

You could make spinach/artichoke dip out of it:

Spinach & artichoke dip

1 cup mozzarella
8 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesean
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 can artichoke (14 oz)
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed
black pepper

In slow cooker for 2 hours

Kaya loves this on chips or toasted pita bread pieces. Oh, and it doesn't say so, but I added water chestnuts to the dip to give it extra texture. Very yummy!

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 27 months...
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catca...-6_Kaya+is.png
Kaya will be a sister, ~11/14/06!

[brittone2]

If you have tortillas or something similar it is good on there with some veggies or sprouts, etc.

Yummy spread on a bagel with avocado smeared on it and salt and pepper (got to do the salt and pepper...trust me if you haven't done this before).

I've had stuff to use up in the past and there are alfredo sauce recipes online that use cream cheese. Just google it and a few should pop up...I never wrote it down but it was very good.

ETA: we have a bunch of veggies in our fridge from our CSA membership and I was trying to find some ways to use them up. I did one of those cold veggie pizzas the other day. The traditional way is to use crescent roll dough, rolled into a rectangle. You bake it and let it cool. Spread with a mix of cream cheese and a little mayo (I added fresh dill since we had it to use). Top with really finely chopped veggies of your choice (we had sugar snap peas, cauliflower, red pepper, tomatoes, and carrots) and press them into the cream cheese mixture.

I did mine on a store bought sprouted wheat pizza crust from Alvarado Street (our co op carries these in the freezer section) which was even easier. There are recipes online if you google "cold veggie pizza cream cheese" or whatever. My toddler ate a few small pieces :)

[dhano923]

Mix 1 cup cream cheese with 1 envelope dry italian salad dressing mix. Let it sit in the fridge for a couple hours to allow the flavors to meld.

I make cucumber sandwiches with this -- thinly slice cucumber and place on paper towels to get rid of the excess moisture. Thinly spread the flavored cream cheese on 2 slices of bread, then put a layer of sliced cucumber on one slice. Top with the other slice, and cut into fourths. My 2 year old loves these for lunch when it's hot outside!

[mudder17]

Oh I forgot to say that I have cream cheese on bagels for breakfast often. I'll usually put sundried tomato pesto spread on it and add some sort of non-nitrate containing lunch meat. Makes a great breakfast!

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 27 months...
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catca...-6_Kaya+is.png
Kaya will be a sister, ~11/14/06!

[MayB]

My MIL gave me this recipe, I love it. The ingredients don't sound like they would be good together, but it's delicious. I usually eat it with wheat crackers or vegetables like carrots and celery.

Pineapple Spread:

Combine in a mixer or blender:

1 8oz package cream cheese
1 12 oz can crushed pineapple well drained
2 t parmesean cheese
1/8 C blue cheese dressing
1/8 C sugar (or splenda)
1/2 C chopped nuts (I usually use walnuts)

After the above is well blended, stir in 1/2 C chopped green pepper.

Also, I don't have the recipe handy, but I use cream cheese for twice baked potatoes. Though that's a bit more work.

[cmyk]

Sundried tomato cheeseball
----------------------------------------
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 c. Grey Poupon Honey Mustard (or Horseradish mustard)
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes finely chopped (in oil, not dried)
1/3 c. walnuts, chopped

In large bowl with electric mixer, mix cheeses, mustard, basil, garlic and onion powder until blended but not smooth. Stir in sundried tomatoes. Shape cheese mixture into a ball; wrap and chill 1 hour. Roll cheese ball in chopped nuts. Wrap and chill until serving time. Serve with a selection of crakers.