Sunday, December 12, 2010

Dip Dip Doo Wah… and a Christmas Pressie for one of you!

It’s that time of the year. Christmas gatherings, potlucks, parties. What to bring? Share your favorite dip or potluck recipe with me and I will draw from your fabulous responses to give one lucky winner a $15.00 gift certificate to Amazon! How’s that for Christmas spirit?

What have I been taking to holiday soirees? Dips. I have a few faves such as Buffalo Chicken Dip. franksEasy peasy to prepare. 1 large can of chicken breast drained. 1/2 cup Frank’s regular hot sauce (more if you can stand it) 8 oz reduced fat softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup reduced fat Ranch dressing, 1/2 cup grated 2% cheddar cheese. Mix everything together and spread in a glass 9 inch pie plate. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Stir. Microwave for four more minutes. Enjoy with Tostito scoops or some other more healthy carb alternative. There’s never much left of this. I took it to my mother’s house at Thanksgiving and it was gone within 45 minutes of when I set foot inside her door.

A more healthy dip that I love. Texas Caviar. texas_caviar This can be made several ways. Here’s my fave because green pepper and I do not agree. 1/2 cup chopped red pepper. 1 chopped jalapeno pepper (or 1/4 cup chopped from Jalapeno slices in jar), 1/4 cup thinly sliced chopped onion, 1 15 oz. can Black-eyed peas drained and rinsed (you may substitute a can of black beans or kidney beans), 1 can white corn, 1/3 cup low-fat balsamic vinegar dressing, 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes (OR 1 can of tomatoes and chiles), 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Combine all ingredients in bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving (24 hours is best). Keeps for days. Serve with tostitos or healthier carb alternative.

I have a third choice and it is usually reserved for deadline. It’s terrible, wicked bad for you and I rarely purchase it because it’s like crack for me… although I’ve never had crack. I’m just imagining. heluva-good-dip-coupon Heluva Good French Onion dip with ridged potato chips.

There’s another Mexican layered dip that my husband and I enjoy for Super Bowl, but I think I’ve given you enough calories to ponder.Smile

So, now it’s your turn. What do you take to a potluck party? One of you lucky responders will receive a $15.00 Amazon gift certificate. CAN’T WAIT for you to show your stuff!Smile

And starting tomorrow you'll find us riding with our top down at a new address. We're celebrating our move for the rest of the month with prizes galore. We go live tomorrow (Tuesday 12/14) so bookmark http://ridingwiththetopdown.wordpress.com and party 'til it's 2011!

Merry Christmas!

xo,

Leanne

42 comments:

Pamk said...

I usually talk my aunt into making a cheese ball. Not sure what she puts in it but she says it only has to have 4 ingredients but it so yummy. I know it has cream cheese and deviled ham not sure of the other two. I'll ask her tomorrow.

Martha Eskuchen said...

I am not a cook so I usually get nuts, fruit or cheese dish if I am visiting. But one of my fav dips that my Step Mother makes is a layered Bean dip for tacos - yum!

Jane said...

I usually make a fruit salad and add a can of mango juice to sweeten it.

Minna said...

I take cookies.

Anonymous said...

Why are those food posts always my favorites, I wonder **sigh**
My favorite dip EVER :

cream cheese + sour cream + chopped artichoke hearts + chopped spinach leaves + garlic + a ton of parmegian cheese. Microwaved until hot...Mmmmm

I serve it with baguette cut into thin slices and toasted in the oven (well I'm french after alll ;-).

Helen Brenna said...

Leanne, I have something similar to that Texas Caviar recipe and I love it. Mine adds chopped up nectarines! A fun, different touch.

I have a coconut chocolate bar recipe that I take to potlucks. I always have the ingredients in my house and have been making this recipe for more than 20 years, so I finally - Slow, I know - know it by heart!

CrystalGB said...

I make a cheese ball or cookies.

Leanne said...

PamK YUM! I love cheese balls! Especially when someone ELSE makes them!!!:) Thanks for posting!;)

Leanne said...

MarthaE I totally love munching on nuts! Try to limit myself, but they are SO addictive!!!:)

Leanne said...

Jane, I never thought of adding mango juice. I bet that is YUMMY! Thanks for the idea!

Leanne said...

Minna... ahh cookies. What kind? Sugar? Chocolate Chip? Mexican wedding cookies? We eat those at Christmas. Love that powdered sugar!:)

Leanne said...

Emmanuelle! Yes! I think I'm going to fix that one for my mom since she's coming for Christmas. I think she will love it and I WILL TOO!!!!:)

Leanne said...

Helen, nectarine slices. That sounds delicious. I will try that next time. It sounds so fresh and yummy!:)

Keri Ford said...

I like to do cakes or bite sized things. I saw on twitter about sugared pecans and I am wanting to try those out for something in the evening.

It's been a long tradition at christmas that we serve a big breakfast! so...my "dip" would be white sausage gravy. It's just your fav white gravy with bits of *cooked* ground sausage crumbled in.

Leanne said...

Crystal, again, I love cheese balls. I have one recipe that we love, but I don't make it very often. Thanks for chiming in!;)

Jen A said...

I am always asked to bring Mexican layer dip. Refried beans, sour crm/taco dip, avocado, tomato, cheese, olives, etc. Guilty pleasure is Reuben dip. Love bite size desserts as well. Going to try peppermint cheesecake bites this year. Always make to take so that I don't eat them all LOL!

Leanne said...

JenA --"Make to take so that I don't eat them all!" SO TRUE FOR ME TOO!!!!!:)

Kathleen Eagle said...

I've gotten so bad about preparing interesting stuff for holiday buffet tables. I used to take the same stuff everyone else does--Chex mix, the hollowed out bread thing, Mama's chili con queso. Nowadays I often mix a bag of Christmas color M&Ms with a jar of dry roasted peanuts and take it along in a gift serving dish.

Cindy Gerard said...

Best and easiest dip ever:
1 cup sour cream
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 jar or envelope dried beef chopped fine
1/2 c finely chopped onion.

mix together, refrig overnight. serve with Triskets or crackers of your choice.

I promise, it's yum yum yummy ... and like I said, sooo easy. no one leaves our house without asking for the recipe.

Gotta try your Texas Caviar, Leanne. Looks great!

traveler said...

A wonderful avocado, and roasted red pepper dip which is yummy and unique.

Playground Monitor said...

Place a block of cream cheese on a plate. Cover with either tiny shrimp or chopped imitation crabmeat. Pour cocktail sauce over all and serve with crackers.

Easy and yummy!

Marilyn

petite said...

My fave is pesto with french bread cut up.

Maureen said...

This is something my sister makes for the family and we love it and make it for ourselves.

Marinated Tomato Slices:

cut up 6 tomatoes and one pound fresh mozzarella. Marinate them in the following:

1/4 cup chopped fresh or 2 tbsp dried basil leaves
6 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp red wine or balsamic vinegar
2 large tomatoes

Combine and chill for at least 2 hours. Then, just pour the reserves over the tomato and fresh mozz.

Margay Leah Justice said...

I love dips! But I don't have a good recipe for one. Usually, someone else in my family does the dip. I think one of the simplest and most enduring is to mix french onion soup mix with sour cream. Or salsa and sour cream. Yum!

Pamela Keener said...

I make a mean taco salad or so I am told.
Take 1 lb of hamburger cooked & add a package of taco seasoning.
Chop up 2 tomatoes, 1/2 head of lettuce, an onion if desired.
Also a 16 oz bottle of thousand island dressing. 2 cups of shredded cheese. Make sure everything is chilled before tossing together & do this right before serving. Also crunch up a bag of doritoes. Add chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper & paprika to taste & mix and serve.
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
Love & Hugs,
Pam

tigmode said...

I have a couple....one if a caramel apple dip which is room temp cream cheese spread in a pie plate about 1/2 inch thick, covered with some caramel sauce like you'd put on ice cream, sprinkled with chopped peanuts. I take a little cutting board, a basket of Granny Smith apples and an apple corer. You drag the apple wedges through the dip and it's TO DIE FOR.

My savory potluck dip is BLT Dip.

•8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
•1/2 cup mayonnaise
•1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
•1 cup torn lettuce
•8 slices bacon, cokoed crisp and crumbled
•4 plum tomatoes, chopped
•4 green onions, chopped
•1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Parmesan cheese in small bowl. Spread onto serving plate. Top with lettuce, cooked bacon, plum tomatoes, green onions, and cheddar cheese. Chill until serving. Fantastic served with toasted baguette slices or really hearty triscuittype crackers.

Terry Gregson said...

I usually make my crab dip for potlucks. My oldest daughter says it is her favorite and my bowl almost always empties first at the potlucks! It is really easy too.

1 1/2 pounds imitation crab meat
2 bunches of chopped green onions (I sometimes cheat and buy the pre-chopped ones)
1 1/2 cups of mayonaisse (more or less to taste)
Lemon juice to taste (My family likes more lemon flavor)

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Serve with crackers (My family prefers Ritz)

Franny323 said...

I usually take the Buffalo Chicken dip also, but I simplify it by dumping everything into a crock pot for heating. I don't think I have ever made less than a double batch.

Michele Hauf said...

Oh great, now I'm hungry. :-)

haven't been to a potluck in a while, but I like to go simple, like...anything you can dump out of a bag or box. Yeah, that's me. Chef extraordinaire.

Unknown said...

I got nothin' Leanne, but thanks for the fun post.

catslady said...

Those all sound so good. I have a simple dip that I make every year - 1 pkg. cream cheese
1 can either shrimp or crab
some onion flakes or fresh finely chopped.
mix (can add sour cream or milk if you prefer a thinner dip)
top with a cocktail sauce of your choice. (If you want it prettier you can add chopped green pepper).
Serve with crackers, chips or bread.

Hellie Sinclair said...

I make an artichoke-spinach dip.

8 oz light cream cheese
8 oz fat free cream cheese
2 cups Italian blend shredded cheese
1 can artichoke, drained and chopped
1 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 cup of sour cream
More Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top...

Mix up everything but the Parmesan, put in oven proof pan, bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and spinach is done. Sprinkle on Parm about 10 minutes before done. Serve with chips (I like baked Tostitos).

For dessert, I like oreo truffles.

1 package of oreos
8 oz of cream cheese
White almond bark, melted

Mix crushed oreos and cream cheese; shape into balls; dip in bark and set up.

K ~ said...

Lots of great ideas here. I'm taking notes! :)
My Hot Reuben Dip is always a hit. Give it a try.

Hot Reuben Dip
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) can sauerkraut, drained and pressed dry
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 pound corned beef
1 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups sour cream
3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 1-quart baking dish.
2.In a blender or food processor, place sauerkraut, onion and corned beef. Process until smooth.
3.Place sauerkraut mixture in the baking dish, and mix with mayonnaise, sour cream, prepared horseradish and Swiss cheese.
4.Bake in the preheated oven 30 to 40 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned.
Serve with cocktail rye bread.

Sheree said...

A romaine lettuce salad with a modified (no cheese, use anchovies instead) pesto dressing. That way, there will be something I can eat that has veggies.

ironss[at]gmail.com

Dina said...

I don't really do anything, I like to make taco dip, but just use sour cream, taco seasoning and cream cheese, put shredded cheese and lettuce and done. :)

Unknown said...

I usually take Pecan Pies or some other desert. Thanksgiving I took Banana Pudding. I aways get the job of deserts.

lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

Unknown said...

Those recipes look good! I make lasagna and take it. I buy the no boil lasagna noodles so it's easy to do.

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

I have a potluck tomorrow night for book club. I am brining meatball with Asian Zing sauce, itcan be found at Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant.

Sometimes I make homemade salsa or a broccoli grape salad.

journeythroughbooks@gmail.com

Michele's journey said...

This time of year I usually take a dish called Candy apple salad it is always a big hit

Inarutht said...

Peppermint bark, very easy. Vanilla or Chocolate bark, break up pieces and melt in saucepan on top or stove, when completely melted add crushed peppermint candy and stir in to mixture, then spread on cookie sheet lined with waxed paper, and let cool. When cooled just break in pieces any size you want, get for gifts...

Laurie G said...

Easy Spinach Dip

28 ounces of chopped spinach thawed and drained,
1 box Knorr vegetable soup mix
2 cups sour cream,
2 cups white salad dressing or mayo

Mix it all together and refrigerate until served. Good on carrots, broccoli, celery or crackers.

My children devour this dip.

Leanne said...

These are all fabulous! You have made me so hungry and now I'm going to have to try your recipes! You guys are GREAT! Michelle will draw a name TODAY for the Amazon gift certificate!