# Ingredients:
→ Cheese Spread
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/2 cup sour cream
03 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
04 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
06 - 1/4 tsp paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp dried chives
08 - Salt, to taste
→ Decorations
09 - 12–16 mini sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, green)
10 - 1/2 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1/2 cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
12 - Fresh parsley or dill sprigs
13 - Black olives, sliced
14 - 1 bunch fresh chives or green onions
→ To Serve
15 - Gluten-free crackers or baguette slices
16 - Assorted vegetable dippers (carrot sticks, celery, etc.)
# Directions:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar, minced garlic, black pepper, paprika, dried chives, and salt. Mix until smooth and creamy.
02 - Spread the cheese mixture evenly onto a large serving platter, forming a wide oval or rectangle to resemble a string of lights.
03 - Lay fresh chives or green onion strips across the cheese spread in a winding, looping pattern to mimic light wires.
04 - Slice mini bell peppers lengthwise and remove seeds. Position pepper halves, tomato halves, cucumber slices, and olives at intervals along the chives to represent bulbs. Place a small olive slice atop each bulb to simulate sockets.
05 - Decorate with fresh parsley or dill sprigs for a festive presentation.
06 - Serve immediately with gluten-free crackers or baguette slices and assorted vegetable dippers.
