Easy Fiesta Christmas Tree recipe

Makes 8 servings

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
Yellow or green bell pepper
1 piece (2 inches) green onion
1/4 cup Old El Paso Thick 'n Chunky salsa
1/4 cup apricot preserves or orange marmalade
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
Assorted tortilla chips, crackers or sliced vegetables, if desired

1. Cut block of cream cheese diagonally in half; arrange on serving plate with shallow rim to form triangle.

2. Cut star out of bell pepper with star-shaped cookie cutter; place at top of tree. Place green onion piece at base of tree.

3. Mix salsa and preserves; spoon over cream cheese. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.

Nutrition Information: 1 Serving: Calories 130 (Calories from Fat 90 ); Total Fat 10 g (Saturated Fat 6 g); Cholesterol 30 mg; Sodium 110 mg; Total Carbohydrate 8 g (Dietary Fiber 0g); Protein 2 g

Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 10 %; Vitamin C 6 %; Calcium 2 %; Iron 2 %

Exchanges: 1 1/2 Vegetable; 2 Fat

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Special Touch
Add presents to your tree when you arrange small crackers at the base of the spread.

Planned-Overs
Thinly slice the rest of the green onion, and sprinkle it on top of the salsa mixture along with cilantro.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Betty Crocker 2007/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved