Zesty Blue Cheese Dressing and Dip

I found this dressing/dip in my new Our Best Bites cookbook.  This dressing has become a favorite!

It definitely has a bite to it, but I really like blue cheese and really liked the flavor this had.  We have only had it as a dressing and put it on a cobb salad (which I will post later!)

ENJOY!!

_________________

Zesty Blue Cheese Dressing and Dip

(Our Best Bites)

• 1 cup mayonaise (DO NOT USE MIRACLE WHIP!! but can use light mayo)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp minced garlic (about 1-2 cloves, minced)
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1-2 tbsp milk or buttermilk (optional - for thickness of dressing or dip)

Whisk mayo, salt, pepper, red wine vinegar and garlic together.  Add in your blue cheese crumbles.  Depending on how thick you want it, add your 1-2 tbsp milk or buttermilk.

Best if you can refrigerate for several hours before serving!  Eat with our favorite Barbeque Chicken Cobb Salad or any of your favorite salads or vegies!

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I think this dip turned out really good!  In fact there wasn't much leftover but a few spoonfuls!  I kept telling myself this isn't that bad for you since I am eating a lot of spinach and good artichokes!  Yes I know I am only fooling myself, but oh well!  This was a super simple dip to put together and it had great flavor!  It is definitely a party dip keeper!

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

(Our Best Bites Cookbook)

• 1 (9 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice ~ I used the bottled kind
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 2 tsp dry parsley
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 (15 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Make sure all your liquid is drained out of your spinach.  The book recommends a clean dry cloth, I used a few paper towels.  I will say the chopped spinach didn't retain too much moisture.  Place in a medium bowl.  Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream.  Mix together well.  Make sure to get all the cream cheese mixed in!

Add remaining ingredients and stir together. 

Spray a square baking dish (8 x 8 or 9 x 9) with cooking spray.  Place the dip in your prepared pan and then cook for 35-45 minutes.  It is done when bubbly and hot!

Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, french bread or whatever you like!

Spinach Dip

This little packet makes the best Spinach Dip I have had! It is really easy and super good!

I have had it a few times, and finally asked how to make it and found this packet!

So if you are looking for a good dip to make, eat this one and then think you are eating a little healthier with the spinach!!

Recipe on the Back!

Yummy with French Bread!!

Ranch Dressing

We are not big Ranch dressing eaters! I know sounds weird, but for some reason we like it but it is not a necessity of life in our house. Well I decided to try a homemade version and see what we all thought!

I think it turned out good, it was easy and it had ingredients that I normally have on hand!

Ranch Dressing

(from Annie's Eats)

• 3/4 cup mayonaise (she used light)
• 3/4 cup sour cream (she also used light)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4-1 cup buttermilk (she used 1 cup I used about 3/4 cup)
• 1 small bunch of chives (didn't have this, added some onion powder, just a dash or so)
• 1 clove garlic chopped (I minced mine)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• black pepper

Combine all of the above ingredients in a blender or food processor starting with 1/4 cup of the buttermilk and blend for 10 seconds. Check the consistency and taste and blend in additional buttermilk as desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.

Store in an airtight container in refrigerator!

One Ingredient Caramel Dip

Brenda made this up at Scout Camp this summer! I had no idea caramel could be soooo easy! I know we have a lot of caramel recipes, but each one has different ingredients. So if you don't have an item from one recipe you can try another! They are all really good, just taste a little different!

1. First off you need a can of sweetened condensed milk. Take the paper off of the can so it wont become floating mess in your pan.
2. Place your can in a pot and cover the can with water.
3. Next bring the water to boiling and then let it simmer for 3 hours. Make sure to check on it periodically, because you will have to keep adding water as it boils

Once the 3 hours are up, open it up and enjoy!
My kids loved this easy treat! I was able to make it with one ingredient and got many other things done at home while it cooked!
So go out and enjoy some good crisp apples and caramel!

Caramel Apple Dip

Here is another great dip! I know there are now so many to choose from!! But the nice thing is, that if you don't have all the ingredients of one, you can try one of the others!

This one has ingredients that are simple and I seem to have on hand all the time! This recipe was brought to a RS mtg. and it was a hit!

___________________________

Caramel Apple Dip

• 1 pkg cream cheese (she said you could use the less fat version, but the real cream cheese is better!)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla

Soften the cream cheese slightly and blend together with brown sugar and vanilla. Refrigerate and serve with apple wedges! How simple is that!

Caramel Apple Dip

Here is another caramel apple dip! I made it all in the microwave and then transferred to my small crock pot to keep it warm on low!

It has a different flavor because it has marshmallows in it, and I will say it turned out quite good! It was easy and yummy, in fact we almost ate the whole thing the first day!

Caramel Apple Dip

(taste of home)

• 1 package (14 ounces) caramels
• 20 large marshmallows (or 2 cups mini marshmallows)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• apple slices

Place caramels in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave uncovered, on high for 1 minute. (I followed some reviews advice and microwaved the butter with the caramels. It helped the caramels not stick to the bowl. I ended up microwaving it for 1 min. then stirred and then 30 seconds more)

Add marshmallows; microwave for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted, stirring occasionally. Whisk in cream and stir until combined. Serve with apples and refrigerate leftovers!

Cookie Pops and Sugar Cookie Butter Dip

I made some Cookie Pops today and thought I would share this idea!

I love how these cookies turn out and how cute and fun it makes a sugar cookie!

Wilton has a pan that you can buy to make the shapes and put your sticks, but I just used cookie cutters and a regular cookie sheet!

These are simple and a fun treat to bring your neighbor!

I used the Sour Cream Sugar Cookie recipe on this site, they are my favorite. I also cheated a little and sprinkled sprinkles on them before I baked them!

What I did was rolled my dough out thin and put one cookie on the cookie sheet and then put the stick on top and then layered another cut out cookie on top! Then I just smush the sides together a little to make sure they don't separate!

Then you bake as directed and frost. I drizzled this Sugar Cookie Butter Dip my sister gave me and it is sooo good and you could even dip the whole cookie in it too!

Sugar Cookie Butter Dip

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp water

Melt butter with water and let stand for 5 minutes. Then add powdered sugar and mix well. Add food coloring here if you want a fun color!

Dip cooled cookie in the dip and then let dry on a cooling rack with a cookie sheet underneath to prevent drips all over your counter. Or I just drizzled the butter dip on the cookies with a spoon!

Blender Bean Dip

I made this dip last night for a Relief Society Activity. It turned out really good and is quite healthy for you! I didn't add the cilantro (because my husband can't stand it) and I didn't have cumin. So it was really simple, healthy and a great snack!

Blender Bean Dip

(from winhealth partners health link)

1. 15.5 oz can of beans (red kidney, navy or black beans)--I used black beans
2. 1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, with chilies and spices added
3. 1 tbsp cumin
4. 1 tbsp chili powder
5. 1/2 cup fresh cilantro

Drain and rinse beans and put into blender. Drain tomatoes and add to blender. Add cumin, chili powder, and cilantro (I didn't have cumin and Todd hates cilantro so I didn't add these). Blend to desired consistancy. Refrigerate until ready to serve. I topped the dip with some grated cheese too!

Serve with corn chips, tortillas, etc. Makes about 2 cups of dip.

Vegetable/Chip Dip

This is my favorite vegetable/chip dip! My mom always made it as a kid, so I don't know where it came from! I make it all the time in the summer and got started early this year!! I make this so much I have it memorized!

Vegetable/Chip Dip

1 cup mayonaise
8 oz sour cream
1 tbsp parsley flakes
1 tbsp onion flakes
1 tsp dill weed
1 tsp Bon Appetit
dash of garlic salt


Combine all ingredients and ENJOY with carrots, celery, cucumbers, peppers, olives, etc. and don't forget the chips!!

Chicken Nuggets

My sister gave me this recipe, and I am not sure where it came from!

I know chicken nuggets are easy to buy, but I am sure these are healthier!!

Chicken Nuggets

1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tsp honey
chicken breast cut into 1 inch wide strips
2/3 cup dried bread crumbs
coarse salt

In a large bowl or resealable plastic bag, combine buttermilk and honey. Add chicken and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to overnight, turning occasionally. ( I doubled the recipe and had 3 chicken breasts)

Heat broiler. Put breadcrumbs in a dish. Lift chicken from buttermilk; dredge in breadcrumbs, patting them in. Place a rack (cooling rack) on top of a cookie sheet and spray with Pam. Arrange chicken in a single layer on rack and spray again.

Broil 4 inches from heat source (without turning), until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with salt.

Dip chicken in ranch, barbeque sauce, or honey dipping sauce.

Honey Dipping Sauce

1 cup mayonaise
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp peanut butter

Mix together and enjoy!

Caramel Apple Dip

I took this picture off of Michelles blog along with her recipe! I made the caramel sauce tonight and it was a hit!! Thanks Michelle!

______________________________________

Put 1 can sweetened condensed milk in small crock pot. Add 10-20 caramels, how ever many you have left after you open the bag and decide to have 'just one'. (Milkmaid not Kraft, yes try them both you'll see the difference, I tell you I love caramels:). Turn on low and stir often. Soon it will turn a rich caramely color and turn soooo smooth and yummy (a couple of hours 3-4). Cut up lots of green apples and serve (in individual cups). My favorite! Try it you'll love it!

I don't have a small crock pot so I used the double boiler method and it worked great too!