Santa Fe Sunset Dip

Santa Fe Sunset Dip

Ingredients

3 oz. (1 package, or about 30) sun-dried tomatoes
(not packed in oil)
2 jars (7-oz. each) roasted red peppers, drained
2 garlic cloves, chopped fine
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, or to taste
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped scallion
4 oz. reduced-fat Neufchâtel cream cheese, softened
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Tabasco or hot chili pepper sauce, to taste (if desired)

How we make it

Soak dried tomatoes in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain
well, reserving 3 tablespoons of the soaking liquid.

In a food processor, purée red peppers, tomatoes, garlic,
cumin, lemon juice, cilantro and scallion until smooth and
well-blended. Add cream cheese and purée, adding enough of
the reserved tomato-soaking liquid to thin the dip to the de-
sired consistency (scraping down the side of the bowl occasionally).
Blend until smooth. Blend in salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste.
Adjust seasoning, adding more garlic, cumin, or lemon juice if needed.

Transfer to a container with a cover. Cover and refrigerate for
2 - 3 hours before using. Bring dip to room temperature before serving.

Serve in a small, attractive bowl placed in center of a large
serving platter, surrounded with assorted cut-up vegetables and,
if desired, baked tortilla chips.

Makes 10 servings (about 1/4-cup each). Per serving: 67 calories,
3 g. total fat (2 g. saturated fat), 10 g. carbohydrate, 2 g. protein,
1 g. dietary fiber, 303 mg. sodium.