# List of ingredients:
→ Cheese Spread
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/2 cup sour cream
03 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
04 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
06 - 1/4 tsp paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp dried chives
08 - Salt, to taste
→ Decorations
09 - 12–16 mini sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, green)
10 - 1/2 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1/2 cucumber, sliced thin
12 - Fresh parsley or dill sprigs
13 - Black olives, sliced
14 - 1 bunch fresh chives or green onions
→ To Serve
15 - Gluten-free crackers or baguette slices
16 - Assorted vegetable dippers (carrot sticks, celery, etc.)
# How to make it:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar, minced garlic, black pepper, paprika, dried chives, and salt. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
02 - Evenly spread the cheese mixture onto a large serving platter, forming a wide oval or rectangle to resemble a string of holiday lights.
03 - Arrange fresh chives or green onion strips over the spread in a winding, looping design to mimic the electrical wire of Christmas lights.
04 - Slice mini sweet peppers lengthwise and remove seeds. Position pepper halves, halved tomatoes, cucumber slices, and black olive pieces at intervals along the chive wire to represent bulbs, topping each bulb with a small olive slice to simulate the socket.
05 - Decorate the platter with fresh parsley or dill sprigs to enhance the festive presentation.
06 - Present immediately with gluten-free crackers or baguette slices and a selection of vegetable dippers.
