Mexican Three Cheese Dip

Photo: Eva Taylor

Ingredients

Layer 1 Cream Cheese:

250 grams Low Fat Cream Cheese, room temperature

250 grams No Fat Yogurt (drained 12 hours to make yogurt cheese)

1 cup Shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup Salsa (home made recipe below)

1 cup Avocado Paste or guacamole (home made recipe below)

1 teaspoon Cumin

1/4 teaspoon Smoked paprika

1 Clove garlic, finely minced

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon Chives, finely sliced for garnish

Layer 2 Avocado Paste:

1 Ripe avocado

2 tablespoons Lime juice (or more for a smooth paste consistency)

2 tablespoons Cilantro, finely chopped

1 tablespoon Shallot, finely chopped

1 clove Garlic, finely minced

Salt

Layer 3 Salsa:

250 grams Mini tomatoes (if you use regular tomatoes, remove seeds

1/4 cup Cilantro, finely chopped

1 Clove garlic, finely minced

1 Green onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup Cucumber, finely diced

Pinch of Cayenne pepper, or to taste

1 teaspoon Cumin

1/4 teaspoon Smoked paprika

Splash of lime juice

1/4 teaspoon grated lime zest

Preparation

Prepare yogurt cheese the night before by lining a fine sieve with coffee filter paper. Pour content of yogurt container into the lined sieve and allow to sit covered in the refrigerator overnight.

Whip room temperature cream cheese with yogurt cheese. Add finely minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika and salt and pepper. Whip until evenly distributed. Set aside.

Salsa, combine all ingredients and mix well. Set aside (this is best made the day before; if you find it is too liquid, stain using a fine sieve).

Avocado Paste: put content into a food processor and process until you achieve a smooth paste, adding lime juice to adjust the consistency.

Assembly: In a clear bowl, evenly distribute the cream cheese mix. Then smooth the avocado paste over it. Next is the salsa, reserve about a tablespoon, evenly spread the remainder. And last but not least, sprinkle the cheddar and garnish with a little reserved salsa and chives. Serve at room temperature with flat breads, tortilla chips or corn chips. Enjoy!