This eye-catching appetizer, which doesn’t include any carrots, was a huge hit this Easter (2015). Just the right amount of spice and salt! It was also quick and simple to make, which was a win for me as the hostess! Serve alongside bread, pita chips, or crackers. Make your own form to decorate the table at the next holiday or special event.
| Prep Time: | 15 mins |
| Additional Time: | 2 hrs |
| Total Time: | 2 hrs 15 mins |
| Servings: | 12 |
| Yield: | 12 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black olives, rinsed and drained
- 2 ounces pimento-stuffed green olives, rinsed and drained
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 ounces finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons mild taco seasoning mix
- 10 sprigs fresh parsley, stems cut to 2 inches long
- 2 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, or as needed
Instructions
- Chop black olives and green olives in a food processor or a food chopper.
- Mix cream cheese, 4 ounces Cheddar cheese, chopped olives, and taco seasoning together in a bowl using an electric mixer on low speed. Increase speed to medium and mix until well combined.
- Transfer cheese mixture to a flat serving plate. Shape cheese mixture into a 2-inch-thick carrot shape using a silicone bowl scraper. Press 2 ounces Cheddar cheese over the entire “carrot”. Insert parsley sprigs into the top of the “carrot”. Remove excess cheese from the plate using a damp napkin. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 208 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 56 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 11 g |
| Sodium | 390 mg |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 0 g |
Reviews
I changed everything except the shape and the cheeses. I just didn’t have time Easter morning so I mixed knorr vegetable dip packet into 2 cream cheeses (8 ounces each) and 1/4 mayonnaise then added 1/3 cup finely diced red pepper. I followed the directions to shape and decorate. People loved it at our Easter dinner!
Delicious, and perfect for Easter! I don’t agree with the poor reviews
This was fun! I made as written and even though I’m not quite sure the green olives fit in the dish, I liked them.
Sorry but this spread tasted terrible. The taco seasoning is just not the right combo with the other ingredients. Too salty all around. Fewer olives, maybe a season salt or garlic salt instead?