Calabrian Chili Cream Cheese

# Ingredient List:

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened

02 - 2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste or finely chopped jarred Calabrian chilies

03 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

04 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced (optional)

05 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice

06 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

07 - 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

01 - Place softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl.

02 - Add Calabrian chili paste, olive oil, minced garlic if desired, lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper to the cream cheese.

03 - Using a spatula or hand mixer, blend all ingredients until fully combined and creamy in texture.

04 - Taste the mixture and adjust salt, lemon juice, or chili paste levels according to preference.

05 - Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle additional olive oil on top if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

01 -

It takes about ten minutes and requires almost no cooking skill, yet tastes like you planned something elaborate.
The balance of creamy, spicy, and bright flavors works on toast, bagels, crackers, or straight from a spoon when no one is looking.
A small batch stays fresh in the fridge for days, so you can make it ahead and feel prepared for unexpected gatherings.

02 -

The cream cheese must be truly softened or you will spend ten minutes wrestling with lumps instead of blending; if you forget this step, microwave it in ten-second bursts until it softens.
This spread tastes better the next day after the flavors have a chance to mingle and settle, so do not judge it harshly right after mixing.

03 -

If your Calabrian chili paste seems very thick, warm the olive oil slightly before mixing so everything comes together more easily.
A hand mixer on low speed creates the silkiest texture, but a fork works fine if that is all you have available.