HERBED TOMATO PLATTER WITH LEMON PEPPER CHEESE

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 TB fresh lemon juice
¼ t. cracked black pepper
1 t. lemon zest
2 cucumbers, washed and thinly sliced
3 green onions, minced
5 lg. tomatoes, cored, halved and thinly sliced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 TB fresh thyme, chopped
Chiffonade of basil
French bread

Dressing:

6 TB olive oil
2 TB red wine vinegar
¼ t. sugar
1 t. minced garlic

Combine cream cheese, lemon juice, pepper and zest. Put in a small bowl to set on the platter with the vegetables. Platter tomatoes and cucumbers; scatter herbs and green onions over the top. Just before serving, whisk together the dressing ingredients and drizzle over the vegetables.

Have your guests spread some of the cream cheese on a slice of French bread and top with the vegetable mixture.