The 4-Ingredient Cream Cheese Spread My Grandma Makes for Every Gathering
I've always loved deeply savory flavors, and I think my grandmother is to blame, thanks to the cream cheese spread she made for every family function. In this concoction, cream cheese is complemented with briny olives and super-savory dried beef. Garlic powder rounds out the spread with its rich, earthy flavor.
Funnily enough, these flavors on their own are a little off-putting to me. I loved olives as a kid, but outgrew them. Dried beef is so salty it could season pasta water. Garlic powder is fine, but not as good as the fresh stuff. But together? These ingredients meld to make a positively irresistible snack.
My family always serves this appetizer on Triscuits, the perfect hearty vessel for this savory spread. These cheese-laden crackers are quite easy to fill up on and spoil your dinner—I speak from decades of experience.
These days, living in California, I only get to experience a family get-together once a year, so my access to this spread is very limited. Usually for my birthday, though, I'll get my hands on some dried beef and make this recipe for a nostalgic taste of home.
The Right Beef To Use
Never heard of dried beef? You're not alone. While you're likely familiar with jerky, dried beef is a bit different. It's made from cured, sliced meat that's heavily salted, and was a typical Army or Navy ration in the 20th century. It can be a bit tricky to find in some areas, but is worth seeking out.
You have a few options for tracking it down: First, the internet! Sites like Amazon carry this pantry ingredient. If you'd prefer to find it at a store, I had no problem sourcing it from supermarkets while living in Ohio. In Los Angeles, however, I have to dig a little deeper. Walmart has been consistent, even if it's out of my way.
How To Make My Grandmother's 4-Ingredient Cream Cheese Spread
For 1 1/2 cups of spread (about 12 servings), you'll need:
8 slices dried beef
1/4 cup pitted green olives, such as Manzanilla
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Triscuits, salt-free Saltines, or cucumber rounds, for serving
The dried beef and olives need to be chopped very fine, which can be achieved in two ways. Either finely chop them by hand on a cutting board, or use my grandma's hack: blitz them up in a food processor. For an amount this small, my grandma uses her little bullet-style processor.
Add the finely chopped beef and olives to a small serving bowl. Mix in the softened cream cheese and garlic powder until combined. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week. This spread is quite stiff when it's cold, so I recommend letting it sit at room temperature for half an hour to soften.
Spread this mixture in a thin layer on crackers or cucumber slices. It is very salty, so a little goes a long way.
Other Easy Spreads To Serve at Your Next Gathering
Triscuit Thingies
Grandma Rachel's Curry Dip
Zucchini Dip
Deviled Egg Dip
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