Mexican Three Cheese Dip

We were invited to two BBQ’s this weekend, so I whipped up two batches of a favourite, Mexican Three Cheese Dip. This dip is great because of the variety of flavours in each bite, it’s never the same.

Mexican Three Cheese Dip

Serves 10-12

Layer 1 Cream Cheese:

1 250g Low Fat Cream Cheese, room temperature
1 250g No Fat Yogurt (drained 12 hours to make yogurt cheese)
1 cup Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup Salsa (home made recipe below)
1 cup Avocado Paste or guacamole (home made recipe below)
1 tsp Cumin
¼ tsp Smoked paprika
1 Clove garlic, finely minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp Chives, finely sliced for garnish

Layer 2 Avocado Paste

1 Ripe avocado
2 tbsp Lime juice (or more for a smooth paste consistency)
2 tbsp Cilantro, finely chopped
1 tbsp Shallot, finely chopped
1 clove Garlic, finely minced
Salt

Layer 3 Salsa

250 g Mini tomatoes (if you use regular tomatoes, remove seeds as they will make this salsa too runny).
¼ cup Cilantro, finely chopped
1 Clove garlic, finely minced
1 Green onion, finely chopped
¼ cup Cucumber, finely diced
Pinch of Cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tsp Cumin
¼ tsp Smoked paprika
Splash of lime juice
¼ tsp grated lime zest


Prepare yogurt cheese the night before by lining a fine sieve with coffee filter paper. Pour content of yogurt container into the lined sieve and allow to sit covered in the refrigerator overnight.
Whip room temperature cream cheese with yogurt cheese. Add finely minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika and salt and pepper. Whip until evenly distributed. Set aside.
Salsa, combine all ingredients and mix well. Set aside (this is best made the day before; if you find it is too liquid, strain using a fine sieve).
Avocado Paste: put content into a food processor and process until you achieve a smooth paste, adding lime juice to adjust the consistency.
Assembly: In a clear bowl (we picked these up from Loblaws, and I love them because they doubled as a ‘gift’), evenly distribute the cream cheese mix. Then smooth the avocado paste over it. Next is the salsa, reserve about a tablespoon, evenly spread the remainder. And last but not least, sprinkle the cheddar and garnish with a little reserved salsa and chives. Serve at room temperature with flat breads, tortilla chips or corn chips. Enjoy!

Filed under: Appetizers/Hors D'oeuvres, Gluten Free, Recipes, Snacks, Vegetarian