Green Tea Dip

Total Time: 15 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 3 green tea bags
• 1 cup reduced-fat cream cheese or 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh chives or 2 tablespoons basil leaves

Recipe

• 1 place tea bags in a heatproof glass or ceramic container that holds more than 1 cup.
• 2 bring 1 cup of water to a not-quite boil and remove from heat immediately. (water that has come to a boil should be cooled for about 1 minute before using.)
• 3 pour water over tea bags and allow the tea to steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
• 4 remove tea bags, squeeze out liquid and discard.
• 5 allow tea to cool to room temperature.
• 6 if not using immediately, refrigerate (covered) until ready to use. (depending on the temperature of the room, tea left standing eventually will develop mold.)
• 7 allow refrigerated tea to come to room temperature before using.
• 8 place cheese and minced herb in a blender and mix on medium-high speed to blend thoroughly.
• 9 continue blending until mixture is smooth.
• 10 gradually add small amounts of the tea concentrate until the mixture is spreadable, as desired.
• 11 transfer the tea-cream cheese mixture to a covered container and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow flavors to meld.
• 12 bring mixture back to room temperature before using, either as a spread for toasted bagels or bread at breakfast; as a spread for crackers, sandwiches or wraps; or as a dip for vegetable crudites and toasted tortilla chips.