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A slice of bread with cream cheese spread over in a sunny photo on a green plate.
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4.84 from 12 votes

Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese (Budget Philadelphia)

This is my budget version of the famous garlic and herb philadelphia cream cheese. Less money and calories with just as much flavour.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 181kcal
Author: Mimi Harrison
Cost: £0.62

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ large bulb of garlic (£0.39)
  • 400 g (2 packs) Light 50% Less Fat Original Soft Cheese (£0.79x2)=(£1.58)
  • 10-25 g fresh chives, finely chopped ( £0.50)

Cupboard Essentials

  • ½ tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt & Pepper
Metric - US Standard

Instructions

Preheat oven to 170°C

  • Start by slicing the bulb of garlic across it’s width in half. Place both halves into foil and drizzle a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil over the raw garlic (not the skin). Season with salt and fold the foil so it’s completely wrapped. Pop in the oven for 45 minutes.
  • When the garlic is ready, using a knife or your hands (careful it’s hot), squeeze the bulb to push the roasted garlic out of the skin.
  • Add salt to the garlic and squish against a chopping board until you achieve a roasted garlic paste.
  • To a mixing bowl, add the roasted garlic, finely chopped chives, cream cheese and dried parsley. Mix until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Pour the mix into a small container and refrigerate to firm up. Enjoy!
  • Note : This recipe calls for you to roast a whole bulb of garlic. Depending on how much you love garlic you can add ½-1 bulb of roasted garlic into the cream cheese. If you only add half, save the other half to spread on toast or add into sauces.

Notes

  • Start by ensuring that the cream cheese is at room temperature. Leave it out of the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before starting the recipe. This will make it easier to mix and incorporate the flavors.
  • Mix the roasted garlic together thoroughly using a spoon. Ensure that the ingredients are well combined and the garlic and herbs are evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese.
  • Once the mixture is well blended, transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld and the cream cheese to firm up.

Nutrition

Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 37g