Aug 31, 2011

Greek Herb Spread {Garden Variety Wednesday #13}

Welcome to
Garden Variety Wednesday #13!
Link up below


Of everything I grow I think I enjoy cooking with herbs the most.  When I get home from work, I look forward to foraging in my herb bed before I get started on supper.

Dishes that allow me a few minutes of sneaking off, like the Greek Herb Spread above, are appreciated.

Remember when my herb garden looked like this?


Hot, dry summer: 1
Adored herb garden: 0




Jealous, right?

The basil couldn't take the heat and drought and gave up.

Both parsley plants were invaded by swallowtail larvae.
I wish I could be kind, giving, gentle.  But I was mean, greedy, and squashed more than a few of those suckers.  I was willing to let them have one plant.  They didn't agree with my plan. 

The thyme turned into a very fragrant tumbleweed.

The Husband thinks I'm pretty smart, though.  Cutting out that extra step and growing dried herbs.


Luckily I made this recipe before summer left its dry, dusty mark.

Greek Herb Spread comes from an herb book I thumbed through.  But I can't for the life of me remember which one.

I used parsley, green onion, mint, and oregano from the garden...ya know, while they were still green and fresh.

Also used were Greek yogurt, cream cheese, feta, lemon, garlic, salt, & pepper, and two surprises: cinnamon & nutmeg

Putting it together is no trouble.  Only a matter of a little chopping then mixing everything.
But you do have to let it hang out in the fridge for the flavors to blend.

Serve with crackers, pita chips, or toast.


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Greek Herb Spread

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 c plain Greek yogurt
heaping 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 clove garlic, crushed
1-1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
about 1/4 c chopped parsley
about 1/4 cup chopped green onion
1-2 Tbsp chopped mint
about 1 Tbsp chopped oregano
pinch or two of cinnamon
pinch or two of nutmeg
salt & pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix with a hand mixer (not a blender or food processor).  Taste for seasoning and herbs and adjust.  Cover and chill to allow the flavors to develop.  Serve with crackers, pita chips, or toast.


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GARDEN VARIETY WEDNESDAY # 13
Ms. enPlace



~ Made a dish with something you nurtured in your garden?
~ Maybe a neighbor stopped by and shared some of his/her harvest?
~ Have baskets of goodies from a pick-your-own farm?
~ Found some treasures at your local farmer's market?
Share them here!


* Please don't forget to link back to Ms. enPlace or grab a button.
* Link your post--not your home page.
* Since growing seasons differ so much even across the US, old/archived posts are welcome, but please edit with a link back or a button.
* Have fun visiting other blogs!


Garden Variety Wednesday schedule:
One round left
September 14




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Linking up with:

Make a Food-"e"-Friend Monday @ The Saturday Evening Pot
Tuesdays at the Table @ All The Small Stuff
Tasty Tuesday @ Naptime Creations
Hearth and Soul vol 63 @ Mom's Sunday Cafe
Delectable Tuesday @ Home Sweet Farm
Let's Do Brunch @ My Sweet & Savory
Turning the Table Thursday @ Around My Family Table
Simply Delish @ KB & Whitesnakes Home
Potluck Friday @ EKat's Kitchen
Fresh Food Friday @ la bella vita
Friday Food @ Mom Trends

12 comments:

  1. Love your hubby's comment! I dried a few hot peppers on the plant this week!

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  2. Your herbs look so good. The heat about killed off my mint and basil. I sure like the looks of that Greek spread

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  3. Your husband's comment made me laugh. That was quite witty of him. This Greek spread looks sooo good. I would not have thought to add cinnamon and nutmeg. I bet that took the flavor to a whole new level.

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  4. Your husband's comment made me laugh. That was quite witty of him. This Greek spread looks sooo good. I would not have thought to add cinnamon and nutmeg. I bet that took the flavor to a whole new level.

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  5. Oh no, your poor herb garden. We haven't had much rain either lately, but I guess we don't have the heat you have either. I wish I could send you some basil because I have way more than I can use!

    I'd love to eat that herby cheese spread on just about anything right now. I've been trying to diet...ugh!

    Just linked up my fried green tomatoes.

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  6. I'll link up later on today; I'm off to class here in a minute. I just wanted to stop by and say hello, see what you've been cooking up, and to say thank you for your sweet comment on my risotto (which is what I'm adding to your linky later on today).

    Isn't it sad to see our gardens go to pot after so much work and the horrible heat and drought that we so often experience? My tomatoes are near dead, most of my herbs are gone, and only my peppers are still bearing.

    On the bright side though! It's time to plant lettuce in SC for the mild winter that resembles spring when leaf lettuce thrives!

    Talk to you soon!

    Roz

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  7. Thanks for stopping by and asking how Irene treated us. We were most fortunate. The worst, we got were some stray branches. We are thankful.

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  8. Zucchini bread from gifted zucchini. And my lament about where did summer go. We had no great harvests here either, good thing I have berries in the freezer from last year for jam. Thanks for hosting!

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  9. Oh your poor dry herb garden!! This summer was brutal on everyone's plants. I love your husband's take on it. And this dip sounds amazing! We are a dip lovin' family, so I will definitely make this one! I wish I had something to link up, but I'm still anxiously awaiting the arrival of some squash and zucchini from my neighbor's garden. :) Visiting from the Friday Potluck. I would love it if you stopped by my blog to day hello! I'm featuring Cocoa Pancakes today!

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  10. We had a very strange summer too, but ours was pretty much too wet! I love what your husband said about your herbs, but I'm so sorry they got so dry. Your herb spread sounds fantastic though. I love the addition of the cinnamon and nutmeg. Thank you for sharing it with the Hearth and Soul blog hop.

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  11. Phewww! I made it in time! I've linked up my stuffed red peppers from this week. I am sorry to be so late, but I've had a super crazy busy week at work and so I'm just now getting to catch up with all of my fave blog reads and comments. Thanks for sharing your yummy Greek spread over on my linky too. Plus you've been featured!

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  12. Looks yummy.

    Thanks for sharing with us at
    Simply Delish Saturday

    Have a great weekend.

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Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your comments.