Olive and Garlic Soft Cheese Spread with Whole-Grain Baguette
This easy recipe creates a creamy, flavorful soft cheese spread featuring briny olives and aromatic garlic, complemented by the richness of cream cheese and ricotta. Served with crisp toasted whole-grain baguette, store-bought pita crisps, and fresh celery sticks, it’s a quick and elegant appetizer perfect for entertaining or a light snack. The hazelnuts add a delightful nutty crunch to the velvety spread.
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Serving Bowl
- 1 Chef's knife for preparing garlic and olives if needed
- 1 Cutting Board for preparing garlic and olives if needed
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup large olives with pimiento
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts toasted
- 1 sliced whole-grain baguette
- Parmesan pita crisps store-bought
- 1 celery heart cut into sticks
Instructions
- Preheat oven 425 degrees F.
- Place olives in food processor and grate in garlic, add cream cheese and ricotta cheese. Pulse the cheese and olives into a fairly smooth spread. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with hazelnuts. Toast the bread on a baking sheet 5 to 10 minutes to lightly crisp. Surround the spread with bread, pita crisps and celery.
Notes
For an exceptionally smooth spread, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before blending. Consider using pitted olives or carefully removing pits prior to processing to avoid textural inconsistencies. While the recipe calls for grating garlic, finely mincing it can ensure more even distribution of flavor. For a deeper, sweeter garlic note, roasted garlic would be an excellent substitution. When toasting the baguette, a light brush of olive oil before baking will yield a more golden, crispy exterior. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives for an aromatic finish and visual appeal. Be mindful not to over-process the spread; a slightly chunky texture can add character.