cook

Up your appetiser game with this easy, budget-friendly cream cheese platter

Here’s a perfect recipe by chef Neha Deepak Shah you simply can’t resist

There’s always that one staple item on your menu that never fails to impress guests. But chef Neha Deepak Shah’s homemade Herbed Cream Cheese Platter is a culinary masterpiece, promising to transform your dining table into a show-stopping experience. Crafted with simplicity in mind, this recipe uses only basic and easily accessible ingredients — fresh cream, salt and a vinegar-water mixture. The cream is gently heated until it begins to simmer, and with the addition of vinegar, it thickens and curdles beautifully, forming the base of the dish. After being left to rest at room temperature and later chilled, the cream transforms into a rich, creamy delight that outshines any store-bought alternative.

To take this creation to the next level, chef Neha suggests mixing in pistachios, parsley, fried garlic, fried onions, black pepper, chilli flakes, and a dash of pink salt. The result is a deliciously textured and flavour-packed cream cheese, perfect for any gathering. This affordable yet luxurious dish proves that high-end flavour doesn’t have to come with a hefty price. 

— Urvashi Bhattacharya