Pep Dip Creamy Red Pepper (Print-Friendly Version)

Smoky, tangy blend of roasted peppers and cream cheese. Great for dipping, spreading, or adding to snack boards.

# What You’ll Need to Make This:

→ Dip Base

01 - 240 grams roasted red peppers, drained
02 - 225 grams cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 garlic clove, minced
04 - 15 millilitres lemon juice
05 - 15 millilitres olive oil
06 - 2 grams smoked paprika
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How to Prepare:

01 - Drain roasted red peppers thoroughly, soften the cream cheese to room temperature, peel and finely mince the garlic clove.
02 - In a food processor or blender, add roasted red peppers, softened cream cheese, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, smoked paprika, and season with salt and black pepper.
03 - Process mixture until velvety smooth, pausing as needed to scrape down the sides. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
04 - Transfer blend to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to develop optimal texture and flavor.
05 - Just before serving, garnish with additional smoked paprika, a drizzle of olive oil, fresh herbs, or toasted nuts. Accompany with dippers of your choice.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Enhance with garnishes such as chives or toasted pine nuts for added texture and visual appeal.
02 - Serve with pita chips, toasted baguette, or raw vegetables like cucumbers and carrots for versatile presentation.
03 - This spread also works well as a sandwich filling or soup topping.
04 - For make-ahead convenience, refrigerate in an airtight container; flavor continues to improve over several hours.
05 - Dip keeps refrigerated for up to 4 days, or freeze for 1 month; thaw and stir before use as texture may become softer.
06 - Microwave individual portions for 10 to 15 seconds for a warm variation.
07 - Using jarred roasted peppers saves preparation time without compromising flavor.
08 - Substitute dairy-free cream cheese or silken tofu for a vegan adaptation.
09 - Incorporate cayenne pepper or hot sauce for extra heat, according to preference.