party dip

Holiday Party Dip

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spicy spinach dipIt’s been a food-a-thon around here. It started with the various holiday treats my students gave me last week, which we have been happily eating. I baked two batches of Christmas cookies over the weekend, and then my in-laws arrived yesterday, and we headed out for a fancy dinner. Cut to this morning when I baked a sour cream coffee cake, turkey chili, spicy spinach dip, and pita toasts. I don’t cook often, but when I do, I mean business.

I served the spicy spinach dip with the pita toasts as an afternoon snack. I would qualify the dip as Super Bowl worthy. I also like the fact that it has a festive feel due to the red tomatoes and green spinach. So, readers, Merry Christmas and happy snacking this holiday season!

spicy spinach dip ingredientsIngredients

  • 2-3 T. chopped jalapenos (I used canned and drained)
  • 3/4 c. chopped green onions
  • 1 10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 2 c. seeded and chopped tomatoes
  • 8-oz cream cheese,  softened
  • 2 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 c. half and half

Directions

  • Mix all ingredients together. Make sure the cream cheese is blended well.

spicy spinach dip ingredients mixed

  • Pour into buttered ovenproof dish.

spicy spinach dip pre baked

  • Bake at 400 degrees until browned and bubbly (about 20 minutes).

Pita Toast Ingredients

  • 1 package pita bread pockets
  • 1/2 c. melted butter
  • 2 t. lemon pepper
  • 2 t. cumin

pita chipsPita Toast Directions

  • Cut pita pockets into 8 triangles. Separate the triangles into halves.
  • Blend butter, lemon pepper, and cumin.
  • With a pastry brush, spread each piece of pita with butter mixture.
  • Bate at 350 degrees until browned and crisp (about 10 minutes).

pita chips bakedNotes

  • You can use different herbs in the butter mixture for the pita toasts and serve them any time. Italian seasoning is a great replacement for the lemon pepper and cumin. Serve the Italian seasoning pita toasts with soup.
  • The dip can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. Bake about 10 minutes longer if the dip has been in the refrigerator before it goes in the oven.

spicy spinach bite

A Classic Party Dip

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7 layer dip finished

As you may remember, I do not care about watching football, but I do care about having tasty football snacks. Today I made the classic Mexican 7-Layer Bean Dip. There are many varieties, but they generally start with a bean dip base followed by taco topping layers. I use Fritos Original Bean Dip as my base, which I think adds a little something something. I also use freshly chopped tomatoes rather than salsa, so it is a little less soupy than some I have tasted.

I have never had problems locating cans of Fritos Original Bean Dip until today’s grocery trip. To my horror, I found out that my local Publix no longer carries the bean dip because not enough people were buying it. So, I tried a few other stores and finally found two cans at the gas station convenience store. I think that probably sums up the nutritional value of this party dip, but honestly, who can refuse the stuff?

7 layer dip ingredients

Ingredients

  • 2 (9-oz) cans Fritos Original Bean Dip
  • 1 container guacamole (about 10 oz.)
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1 pkg mild taco seasoning
  • ~12 oz. sour cream
  • 2 c. Mexican cheese blend, grated
  • 3 green onions, chopped

7 layer dip bite

Directions

  • Scoop the 2 cans of bean dip into a 9 x 13 casserole dish and spread evenly across the bottom with a spatula.

7 layer dip bean dip layer

  • Dollop the guacamole on top of the bean dip and gently spread out using the spatula. Try not to disturb the bean dip layer. It’s kind of like frosting a cake.

7 layer dip guac layer

  • Sprinkle the chopped tomatoes on the guacamole.

7 layer dip chopped tomatoes

  • In a small bowl, mix the taco seasoning with the sour cream. Combine well. It will be a light orange color. Spread the sour cream mixture over the guac and chopped tomatoes. Gently spread with the spatula trying not to disrupt the layer beneath.

7 layer dip taco seasoning

7 layer dip sour cream layer

  • Sprinkle the grated cheese on top.
  • Sprinkle the green onions over the cheese.

Mexican 7 layer dip

  • Serve with Frito scoops or tortilla chips.
  • Can be made ahead. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

7 layer dip individualHave you seen the individual Mexican Layer Dips on Pinterest? I had some extra ingredients and made a few in ramekins. Very mini and cute.

Black Bean Salsa Dip

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Black Bean Salsa Dip

If you have been following The Room Mom for any length of time, you know I love party dips. If you are a loyal fan, you also know that I do not really care about sporting events; I only care about the tailgate style food you get to serve with a sporting event. I am thinking this Black Bean Salsa Dip will be on the menu for Super Bowl viewing this year. This is one of easiest dip recipes I have. What might be on your Super Bowl menu? I am looking for a really good chili recipe, and I am in the mood to try something new.

Ingredients

  • 2 (16-oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 (11-oz) cans white shoepeg corn, drained (or regular yellow corn)
  • 2 (4-oz) cans chopped green chiles, drained
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 c.  pickled jalapeno nacho slices, drained and chopped
  • 1 small bunch cilantro, minced
  • 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • pepper to taste

Directions

  • Combine the beans, corn, green chiles, bell pepper, jalapenos, and cilantro in a bowl and mix well.
  • Whisk the vinegar, oil, and pepper in a bowl until blended.  Add to the bean mixture gradually and gently stir to coat.
  • Chill, covered, for 2+ hours.  Serve with tortilla chips, Frito’s, or as a side salad.

black bean salsa sip close

Hot Artichoke Dip

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hot artichoke dip

I have an exciting new acquisition for my cookbook collection— The Pioneer Woman Cooks. She has a hot artichoke dip recipe that is similar to one my family has always made. There were some interesting improvements in her recipe (cream cheese), so I took my old family recipe and adapted it a little based on the Pioneer Woman’s recipe. The results were delicious and meal worthy. In my house, party dips can be served as complete meals (especially during the holidays). This is what we ate for dinner on New Year’s Eve. I know you are probably worried that the nutritional value in my New Year’s Eve dinner was pretty poor. Don’t worry, I made potato skins with bacon and melted cheddar too!

hot artichoke dip bite

Ingredients

  • Two 14-oz cans artichoke hearts, drained
  • One 8-oz block cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 c. real mayonnaise
  • 1 c. grated Parmesan cheese (or more), divided
  • 1/2 c. grated Swiss cheese (or more)
  • Tabasco (to taste– I use about 10 dashes)
  • salt
  • pepper

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Add one can of drained artichoke hearts, cream cheese, and mayonnaise to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the mixture 6 or 7 times.
  • Mix in 3/4 c. Parmesan cheese (or a handful), 1/2 c. Swiss cheese (or more), Tabasco, and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
  • Roughly chop the other can of artichoke hearts into bite sized pieces. Add to the artichoke mixture and stir together gently.
  • Pour the mixture into an oven safe dish about the size of a pie dish. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes until browned slightly and bubbly.
  • Serve hot with blue corn tortilla chips or slices of party rye bread.

hot artichoke dip eaten

More Tailgate Food

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This dip has all of the basic ingredients required for good football watching food– bacon and cheese. I love our family recipe because it can be doubled (or tripled) easily. I recommend serving this dip with Red Oval Farms Stoned Wheat Thin crackers, which I believe are the perfect vehicle for getting the cheesy bacon goodness into your mouth. It can also be served with Triscuits, or Fritos Scoops. I have even served it with Snyder’s Dipping Sticks pretzels. Many people I know have a favorite bacon and cheese dip of some kind. What is your best bacon and cheese dip recipe?

Ingredients

  • 1/4 c. slivered almonds
  • 2 strips crisp bacon, crumbled
  • 1 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 T. green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 c. mayonnaise

Directions

  • Blend all ingredients together thoroughly.