Made 2 quick and easy spreads for coffee hour yesterday - Apricot-Rosemary and Salmon-Dill

[woodsprite]

Apricot-Rosemary Spread
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8 oz cream cheese
4 oz goat cheese
1/2 c. finely chopped dried apricots
1/2 c. finely chopped dried cranberries
1 T. finely chopped fresh rosemary
2-3 tsp honey

Mix all together. Can be rolled into a ball and coated with chopped walnuts, or add a tablespoon or 2 of cream to thin the consistency a bit to serve as a spread. This is better if made a few hours ahead or overnight to allow the dried fruit to soften and the rosemary flavor to bloom. Can be used with crackers, as a stuffing for celery, or as a bagel spread.

and

Salmon-Dill Spread
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8 oz cream cheese
1 can of red salmon, drained thoroughly, flaked, skin and bones removed
2 T. horseradish
2-3 drops Liquid Smoke (to taste, if desired)
3 tsp. dried dill

Mix all together until well blended. Form into a mound or ball and sprinkle with additional dill or paprika. I surrounded mine with capers and fresh dill sprigs. Can be used with cracker or as a bagel spread.

[pangaia]

1. Oh, my that sounds delicious..

I'm on a diet.. what should I do??

[woodsprite]

2. Well, I actually justified/reasoned that out...

I'm a relatively new diabetic. I figured the cream cheese is a protein/fat combo, and the salmon is definitely protein. I had about 4 small crackers worth of the fruit dip, then had some of the salmon w/ celery. That, along with a scoop of egg salad, veggies, and a few olives did pretty well with my numbers.

I have no idea what my husband was thinking when someone talked him into doing church coffee hour the same weekend as our daughter's convocation/graduation, hosting his parents, and performing our annual Memorial Day concert. Those dips, plus the egg salad, were the only things that I actually made. Everything else we offered was bought (pastries, cookies, veggie/dip tray, marinated olives/mushrooms/mozzarella, and pepperoni/salami/cheddar/provolone tray. We put on a full luncheon because my family, plus about another 4-5 friends needed to eat then get to our 1:45 concert call in another town.

[pangaia]

3. Sounds like a full, busy, complicated life. :))

What instrument do you play.. or do you sing?

[livetohike]

4. Saving! Thanks for posting these. They sound delicious.