Roasted Red Pepper and Ricotta Dip

This is perfect for those who want something low in fat but flavorful.

Makes about 1 cup.

1 large bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and seeded, and cut into big chunks
1 to 2 garlic cloves, to your taste, sliced
1 scallion (white and green parts), ends trimmed
¾ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon cream cheese or Yogurt Cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Place the pepper in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until chopped. Add the garlic and scallion and pulse until chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process until well combined.

2. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately, garnished with chopped mint, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

Serve with celery sticks, baby carrots or carrot sticks, or pita or bagel chips.

From Party Dips! 50 Zippy, Zesty, Spicy, Savory, Tasty, Tempting Dips (The Harvard Common Press, 2004)