Celery And Cream Cheese Sticks

Ingredients

• 6 celery stalks – washed and cut in half crosswise
• 8 ounces cream cheese – softened at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice – freshly squeezed
• 0.25 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoons onion powder
• 0.25 teaspoons fine salt – or to taste
• 0.13 teaspoons black pepper – freshly ground, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives – finely chopped, plus more finely chopped (for serving)
• 0.25 teaspoons paprika – plus a small pinch (for serving)

Instructions

1. Place the cream cheese in a medium bowl and let it sit at room temperature until softened if needed, about 10–15 minutes.
2. While the cream cheese softens, wash the celery stalks, trim the ends, and cut each stalk in half crosswise to make shorter sticks.
3. Pat the celery sticks dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels so the filling adheres well.
4. Add the sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, chopped chives, and paprika to the cream cheese.
5. Beat the mixture with a spoon or small rubber spatula until smooth, creamy, and evenly combined.
6. Taste the cream cheese mixture and adjust the seasoning with a little more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.
7. Using a small spoon or butter knife, spread the cream cheese mixture into the hollow side of each celery stick, pressing it in and smoothing the top.
8. Arrange the filled celery sticks on a serving plate in a single layer.
9. Sprinkle the tops lightly with a small pinch of additional chopped chives and paprika for serving.
10. Serve the celery and cream cheese sticks immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving, allowing them to sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to soften slightly.