Sundried Tomato Dip

This is a great dip to serve at a party.  It can easily be doubled, but the version below serves a crowd.  I served it with Wheat Thins.

Sundried Tomato Dip

1 pkg cream cheese, softened
1 c mayo
1/4 c onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves
1/2 jar sundried tomatoes, drained & chopped
1/3 c roasted red peppers, drained & chopped
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1 c shredded Italian cheese blend
1/2 c shredded parmesan cheese
Combine 1st four ingredients.  Stir in tomatoes & red peppers.  Stir in mozzarella, Italian cheese, and 1/4 c parmesan.  Spread in greased 8x8 square baking dish.  Sprinkle with remaining parmesan.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes.  Serve with crackers.

Mediterranean Dip

I made this dip for a Christmas party at school and it was a huge hit!  It was gone by the end of lunch and everyone was asking for the recipe.  You must try this one!

Mediterranean Dip

1 pkg cream cheese, softened

1 4oz jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped

½ cup kalamata olives, chopped

¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette

6 oz feta cheese

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp basil

Spread cream cheese in bottom of dish.  Mix all other ingredients, spread over top of cream cheese.  Top with more fresh parsley.  Serve cold with crackers.

Hot Pimento Cheese Crab Dip

This is my variation of a Paula Deen recipe.  This pimento cheese dip would be great even without the crab if you aren't a fan of seafood, but the crab adds a nice touch.  Serve it hot with crackers.

Hot Pimento Cheese Crab Dip

1/4 cup (2 oz) brie
1/4 cup (2 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup pepper jack cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tbsp hot sauce
1/2 lb lump crab meat, chopped small
1/2 small onion, grated and drained
1/4 cup pimentos, undrained
dash of salt and pepper
In a food processor, mix cream cheese, brie, grated onion, mayonnaise, salt/pepper, and hot sauce until well blended.  Add 1/2 cup cheddar, 1/2 cup pepper jack, pimentos, and crab to food processor and mix well.  Remove from food processor and place in medium bowl, stir in rest of cheddar and pepper jack.  Place in well greased shallow baking dish (I used a pie plate).  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.  Serve with crackers.



Hot Artichoke Dip

This artichoke dip is another recipe from "The Pioneer Woman".  I never follow recipes exactly, so this is my version.  This recipe makes a lot, so if you are only serving a few people, you may want to cut it in half.

Hot Artichoke Dip

2 14 oz cans artichoke hearts, drained
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 c mayonnaise (I used "real" mayo, not the low-fat stuff I usually buy)
1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (depending on how much spice you prefer)
2 green onions, chopped
1 c grated Parmesan/Romano cheese mix
dash of salt and pepper (a little less than 1/8 tsp each)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Chop 1 can of artichokes into small pieces.  Add to blender with cream cheese and mayo.  Sprinkle in cayenne pepper and chopped green onions.  Pulse 6-7 times until mixed (you don't want to liquefy it, just pulse until well mixed).  Place in large bowl, add in parmesan, salt, and pepper.  Roughly chop remaining artichokes, stir in.  Pour into glass dish, bake 20 minutes or until hot & bubbly.  Serve with blue tortilla chips.

Jalapeno Corn Dip

This is a super spicy, super easy dip to throw together if you are having guests.  If you aren't a fan of spice, you can substitute the jalapenos with green chiles or just lower the amount of jalapenos you use.

Jalapeno Corn Dip

1 bag frozen corn
1 stick butter
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 12 oz jar jalapenos
Drain and chop jalapenos.  Add all ingredients in large bowl, microwave on high 2-3 minutes until melted.  Stir until smooth.  Add to crockpot and keep warm on low.  Serve with blue tortilla chips.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is a great dip to take to parties or tailgates!  You can lower the amount of buffalo wing sauce if you like things a little milder.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

3 chicken breasts, boiled or rotisserie chicken, shredded
1/2 cup ranch dressing
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce (I always use Ken's)
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Mix first four ingredients and 1/2 cup cheddar until blended.  Spread in ungreased baking dish, top with remaining cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Hot Bacon Cheese Dip

This is a recipe from our church's cookbook.  It is SO good served in a bread bowl with crackers.  It has a very different taste from most other cheese dips.  Enjoy!

Hot Bacon Cheese Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 c sour cream
2 c shredded Cheddar
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3/4 pkg real bacon bits
3/4 c chopped green onion
1 whole bread bowl (I usually buy sourdough or pumpernickel)
Slice a round top off of the bread bowl.  Scoop bread out of the inside, set aside (goes well with the dip also).  Mix softened cream cheese, sour cream, cheese, and Worcestershire.  Stir in bacon bits.  Add chopped green onion.  Fill bread bowl with mixture; put top on.  Wrap in aluminum foil.  Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.  Serve with crackers.

Black Bean Dip

Since it's Friday, here is something for a healthy weekend snack.  This is similar to a humus, but much more flavorful! 

Black Bean Dip

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 c chopped red onion
1/3 c salsa (mild or medium, the jalapenos add plenty of spice)
1/3 c chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 c margarita mix
2 tsp chopped jalapenos
1 tsp salt
lime
Pulse all ingredients in blender until smooth.  Serve with lime wedges and warm pita wedges (can also serve with tortilla chips).

Spicy Cheese Dip

I'm already getting sad that football season is almost over!  I am a HUGE football fan!  Clemson is obviously my favorite team, but I will watch anyone in any league.  I actually placed 1st place in my Fantasy Football league this past season...while playing with 9 other men!  So, in honor of Super Bowl Sunday quickly approaching, here is a little football appetizer to enjoy:

Spicy Cheese Dip 

There are 2 versions of this recipe, I am listing both---
1 16 oz block Velveeta cheese
1 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
2/3 cup water
1 jar Pace Picante sauce (hot or medium depending on what you prefer)
Brown ground beef, drain.  Return to skillet, add taco seasoning and water, simmer about 5 minutes.  Chop Velveeta into small cubes, place in crockpot.  Top with seasoned meat and Picante sauce.  Heat in crockpot over high heat, stirring occasionally.  When melted, turn crockpot to low.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Easier version---
1 16 oz block Velveeta cheese
1 can Hormel chili with beans
1 jar Pace Picante sauce (hot or medium depending on what you prefer)
Chop Velveeta into small cubes.  Add all contents to crockpot.  Heat over high heat, stirring occasionally.  When melted, turn crockpot to low.  Serve with tortilla chips.