Layered Mediterranean Dip with Olives

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese, divided 1 tablespoon
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup prepared basil pesto
  • 6 ounces California Black Ripe Olives sliced
  • 1 whole red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes chopped
  • 2 cups fresh mozzarella balls cut in half

Directions

  1. Combine cream cheese, feta cheese (reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish), sour cream, and lemon juice in a large bowl using a mixer. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  2. Spread one half of the cheese mixture into the bottom of a 9×13″ pan.
  3. Spread basil pesto evenly over the cheese mixture and top with the remaining cheese mixture, spreading evenly into the pan.
  4. Sprinkle California Black Ripe Olives over the top of the dip, arranging more in the upper-left-hand corner to make the square for the “stars”.
  5. Combine the chopped red bell pepper and tomatoes in a bowl and arrange into stripes on top of the black olives, alternating with rows of sliced mozzarella balls. Make 4 rows of each.
  6. Sprinkle reserved feta cheese over the olive “stars” and serve with pita chips, sliced pita or fresh vegetables.
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