Shelly's Recipe

HERBED BLUE CHEESE SPREAD WITH GARLIC TOASTS

Category: Spreads -- Cold

1-1/3 cups low-fat (1%) cottage cheese
1-1/4 cups (5 ounces) crumbled blue, feta or goat cheese
1 large clove garlic
2 tsp lemon juice
2 green onions with tops, sliced (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or oregano or 1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano leaves
2 tbsp toasted slivered almonds*

Garlic Toasts (recipe)
32(1/2 inch thick) French bread slices
.Nonstick cooking spray
.1/4teaspoon garlic powder
.1/8teaspoon salt

*To toast almonds, spread in single layer on baking sheet. Bake at 350 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently.

Combine cottage cheese, blue cheese, garlic and lemon juice in food processor. Cover; process until smooth. Add green onions, basil and almonds; pulse until well blended but still chunky.

Spoon cheese spread into small serving bowl; cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

When ready to serve, prepare Garlic Toasts. Spread 1 tbsp cheese spread onto each toast slice. Garnish, if desired.

Garlic Toasts: Place bread slices on nonstick baking sheet. Lightly coat both sides of bread slices with cooking spray. Combine garlic powder and salt in small bowl; sprinkle evenly onto bread slices. Broil 6 to 8 inches from heat 30 to 45 seconds on each side or until bread slices are lightly toasted on both sides.