Recipe: Nine-Layer Mediterranean Spread

Nine-Layer Mediterranean Spread
Recipe Source: Karin Calloway from her cookbook, Quick Cooking With Karin.

8 ounces low-fat cream cheese
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 (7.5-ounce) can Caponata (eggplant appetizer)Caponata can be prepared fresh from Scratch. It is delicious in this recipe or by itself
1 green onion, finely chopped
1 (4-ounce) can chopped black olives, drained
1 (8-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
Pita chips or crackers

Combine cream cheese, crumbled feta and Italian seasoning in a food processor or with a hand mixer in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Line a 1-quart bowl with plastic wrap, allowing 8 inches of wrap to extend over sides of the bowl. Layer ingredients in this order: 1/2 of the Parmesan, 1/2 of the Caponata, 1/2 of the cream cheese mixture, the green onions, olives, artichoke hearts, remaining Caponata, remaining cream cheese, remaining Parmesan. Fold plastic wrap over top and refrigerate until firm and ready to serve. The spread may be made as much as two days before serving.

To serve, remove from refrigerator and unfold plastic wrap. Place serving platter face down on top of bowl. Flip it over and remove bowl. Carefully peel off plastic wrap. Serve with pita chips or crackers.

VARIATION: Use the recipe as a base to start formulating layered spreads of your own. For a classic combination, layer cream cheese mixed with dried dill with smoked salmon, drained capers, chopped boiled egg and red onion to spread on toast points. Or create an Indian-inspired version by combining the cream cheese with a teaspoon of curry powder and chopped mango chutney, then layer with chopped green onions, peanuts and well-drained crushed pineapple

Makes 18 appetizer servings.