Thursday's Side Dish: Cream Cheese N Jelly

A quick-hit appetizer when in a rush

Mixing sweet with savory can often make for an interesting blend. It's the yin and yang. Take the smooth texture of cold cream cheese and top it with your favorite pepper jelly for a decadent appetizer or party snack. Don't blend the two together, just pour some jelly over the top so it spills over onto the sides of the block of cheese. If you don't have pepper jelly, try sweet chili sauce that is sometimes used to go with spring rolls or dumplings. Remember to keep one package of premium crackers (or breadsticks) in the kitchen pantry to go with the cream cheese delight for an emergency or unscheduled gathering. Another option is making a simple veggie dip by mixing chopped green onions into cream cheese that’s seasoned with paprika or chili powder. Serve this simple cream cheese/veggie dip with sliced fresh veggies.