Do you ever realize you were supposed to bring an appetizer somewhere but you have no time to make anything let alone run to the store to get all the ingredients you need?
If you know what I mean then you will love this appetizer!
It’s quick, easy, can be made-ahead, not too rich but not too healthy, and it has ingredients that are usually in your kitchen: cream cheese, garlic, tomatoes, cheese, oil & vinegar, and spices {You can grab the crackers on the way to the party}
You can make this the morning of or night before, stick it in your refrigerator, and either grill it or put it in the oven about 10 minutes before you need it. It’s also pretty tasty at room temperature.
From start to finish, it took me 29 minutes to make, bake & serve.
Print out the recipe, Pin it, email it to yourself… do whatever you need to do to save this recipe for the next time you need an appetizer {quick}.
Everyone at the party will be glad you brought it!
Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Keywords: bake grill appetizer egg-free low-carb lower-sodium soy-free vegetarian no-sugar-added gluten-free southwest spice
Ingredients (Serves 8-10)
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes {I used about 16 grape tomatoes}
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 tsp salt-free Southwest spice, like The Delicious Dietitian Southwest Spice Blend
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2-1 TBSP minced jalapeño, optional
- 1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar or Mexican cheese blend, divided
- 1 (8 oz) package 1/3 reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1 TBSP chopped cilantro or parsley, optional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F or heat the grill to medium heat.
Stir together the tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, Southwest spice, salt, jalapeños if using, and 3 TBSP cheese.
Put the block of cream cheese on a sheet of heavy-duty foil or double layer of regular foil {put on a baking sheet}. Spoon the tomato mixture over the cream cheese. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of cheese over everything.
Bake for 12 minutes or grill for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle cilantro or parsley on top, and serve with 100% whole wheat crackers {like Triscuits or Wheat Thins}
Based on this recipe from Kraft
This recipe was linked to 
Get excited because tomorrow I have a really fun 4th of July treat!!
