Artichoke-Cheese Spread

Ingredients

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion tops
• 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 3/4 cup bottled roasted red bell peppers, drained and chopped
• Assorted fresh lettuce
• Thin white or wheat bread slices, crusts removed and cut into triangles
• Red, yellow, and orange bell pepper strips
• Garnishes: bottled roasted red bell pepper strip, slivered; radish slices

Preparation

1. Stir together cream cheese and green onion tops, blending well; set aside.
2. Stir together artichoke hearts and next 5 ingredients.
3. Spread one-third of cream cheese mixture on bottom of a 4-cup glass bowl lined with plastic wrap. Layer with half of chopped roasted bell peppers, 3/4 cup artichoke mixture, and one-third of cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers with remaining chopped roasted bell peppers, artichoke mixture, and cream cheese mixture. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.
4. Invert onto a serving plate, and remove plastic wrap. Serve over lettuce with bread slices and bell pepper strips. Garnish, if desired.