Ingredients
4cupscream cheese,softened
½cupsun-dried tomatoes,chopped
½cupred bell peppers,or capsicum, diced
¼cupdill pickles,finely diced
¼cupchives,chopped
¼cupparsley,chopped
1tbsponion powder
2tspgarlic powder
salt,to taste, if desired
1½cupsolives,pitted, mixed, like a variety of black, green and Kalamata olives, dried with paper towel
½cupsun-dried tomatoes,chopped, dried with paper towel
rosemary leaves,or sprigs
Ritz,or wafer crackers or pretzels, for serving
salami slices,for serving
prosciutto slices,for serving
Preparation
In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, red bell peppers, dill pickles, chives, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Mix until well combined.
Place a piece of non-stick plastic wrap on a clean bench top or work surface.
Scoop the cream cheese mixture out onto the plastic wrap, then completely cover with another piece of wrap.
Use hands to mold the cream cheese into a tree shape.
Then, carefully pick up the tree with one hand and peel off the plastic wrap on the bottom of the tree with the other hand.
Place the tree straight onto a serving plate.
Use a cake spatula to smooth the edges.
Decorate with olives, sun-dried tomatoes and rosemary leaves, lightly pressing each element into the cream cheese to ensure they stay on.
Brush with some sun dried tomato oil from the jar, if desired.
Top with a star cut out of a yellow or orange bell pepper or a thick slice of cheese.
Serve with crackers of choice, salami and prosciutto slices rolled up, and enjoy!
