Looking for a quick and easy appetizer that’s flavorful and budget-friendly? This Garlic Herb Kesong Puti Spread combines the creaminess of kesong puti with garlic and parsley that works well served with crackers or toasted pandesal. It’s also a savory dip for carrot and celery sticks, or a delightful addition when used as a sandwich spread with your favorite palaman.
This recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and uses local supermarket ingredients, but feels fancy and elevated enough to impress your guests if you’re entertaining at home or to bring to your next potluck get-to-together!
What is kesong puti?
Kesong puti is a local white cheese traditionally made of carabao’s milk. It usually has a soft, smooth texture, with a mild but salty flavor that is delicious on its own but also works great when added to recipes that need a little creaminess.
Recipe Tip
- When serving with crackers or toasted pandesal, let the kesong puti spread rest at room temperature for smooth spreading. Use a small butter knife or offset spatula for even spreading without breaking the cracker or bread.
- If you can’t find parsley at your local supermarket, you can also use other available herbs like chives, dill, thyme or oregano. For a more Filipino twist, replace the parsley in this recipe with more spring onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Make this garlic herb kesong puti spread ahead of time to allow the flavor to meld beautifully together. Place in an airtight container and then place in the fridge. When ready to serve, let it rest at room temperature first to allow the spread to soften.
- This kesong puti spread is a great base, too, for other flavors that you like. You can add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, or even smoked fish, for bolder flavors. Even a pinch of chili flakes or a dash or two of paprika would work well for that hint of spice.
