Frankenstein Cheese Spread

Watch cheese dip, guacamole, and vegetables come ALIVE when you shape them into the iconic Frankenstein monster. It's a healthy party snack that's sure to trick (and treat) young guests into eating their veggies.

Ingredients

½ large carrot, peeled, ends trimmed, divided
3 mini sweet red peppers, stems removed and seeded
2 green onions, cut into 2" (5-cm) lengths
2 pkg (8 oz/250 g each) ⅓ less fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened
3 tbsp (45 mL) reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 oz (60 g) cheddar cheese, grated (½ cup/125 mL)
1 tbsp (15 mL) Garlic & Herb Rub
1 tsp (5 mL) Worcestershire sauce

1 container (8 oz/250 g) prepared guacamole (about 1 cup/250 mL)
1 mini sweet red peppers, stems removed and seeded
4 extra-large pitted ripe black olives
1 pretzel rod
1/4 cucumber
Balsamic glaze or black decorating gel

Directions

For the cheese spread, cut a 2” (5-cm) piece from the narrow end of the carrot; set aside remaining piece. Place carrot, bell peppers and onions in Manual Food Processor and process until finely chopped.
Add the veggies to a medium mixing bowl. Add remaining cheese spread ingredients to the bowl and mix until well blended.
Place a large sheet of plastic wrap in the 5¼ cup (1.25 L) Rectangle Leakproof Glass Container (or another container approximately 7” x 5” / 17.5 cm x 12.5 cm). Spread the cheese mixture evenly in the container and wrap the top of the spread with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
When ready to decorate, unwrap the cheese spread and invert onto the Large Entertaining Platter. Spread the top and sides of the rectangle with the guacamole.
Spiralize the remaining carrot piece using the spaghetti blade on the Veggie Spiralizer. Top one short end of the rectangle with carrots to create “hair.”
Cut bell pepper in half lengthwise. Place bell pepper halves on the sides of the rectangle for “ears.” Break pretzel rod in half; add 2 olives to each end of the pretzel rod. Insert into bottom sides of the head for “bolts”.
Slice two pieces from the cucumber and use for the eyes. Use the end of the cucumber for the nose.
Pipe balsamic glaze, to create “brows, mouth and stitches.” Serve with additional pretzel rods or crackers and veggies dippers, if desired.

Yield:

24 servings

Nutrients per serving:

U.S. Nutrients per serving (2 tbsp/30 mL spread): Calories 80, Total Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 3.5 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Sodium 220 mg, Carbohydrate 3 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugars 1 g, Protein 3 g

Cook's Tips:

Be creative and use leftover vegetables or cheese to decorate.

For best results, spread with guacamole and decorate within 2 hours of serving. If making your own guacamole spread, squeeze lime juice over the spread to minimize browning.