Friday, May 13, 2011

Awesome Party Dip


For Mother's Day I didn't really want to fuss all that much. My family agreed and when my mother-in-law came over with my sister-in-law, we ordered pizza and watched my taping of a TV show - Dinner and a Book - which aired in Indiana on April 23rd. At that point I hadn't had a chance to watch it myself yet, but I figured it would be a fun diversion after dinner.

Boy, was it! The people at WNIT in Indiana were wonderful, and the host, Gail Martin, was a dream to work with, but I think you'll agree that I shouldn't be cooking and talking at the same time. My family rolled as this tape played. And I don't blame them a bit. The second half isn't quite as hilarious as the first half. And maybe folks outside the family won't see my ineptitude quite as humorously as we do. My goal was to post it here and then to my website, but I'm coming up empty. Stay tuned in future weeks as I try to make it available. And then let me know what you think. You can stop watching after the lemon seed...

Anyway, for Mother's Day, I decided to make a few appetizers and I happened upon a recipe for a new dip that is absolutely delightful. I couldn't wait to share it here because everyone went nuts for it. You've had spinach dip, I'm sure. This is a version I'd never tried before but wow, was it good.

We served it with tortilla chips, and we prefer those wonderful El Milagro chips that come in windowed brown paper bags. The best available at the supermarket, if you ask me.

Here goes:

Awesome Party Dip

1 Tbsp chopped jalapenos
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 8-oz package of cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded Colby-Jack or Monterey Jack cheese
3/4 cup onions, chopped
1 10-oz package of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed to get all the water out
1/2 cup half-and-half

Make sure your cream cheese is very soft. I usually pop mine in the microwave (in a glass bowl) for about 30 - 45 seconds to get it blendable. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Transfer to a buttered, ovenproof dish and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 - 24 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.
You're going to love this. The jalapenos give it a subtle kick and the warm dip is a perfect appetizer. Actually, after serving this and a few others, we weren't even sure we needed the pizza, but we ordered it anyway and had a lovely Mother's Day dinner.

I love this because it's easy and delicious. Most of all, it's a very different version than other spinach dips I've seen.

Try it, you'll like it!

By the way, don't forget that GRACE INTERRUPTED comes out June 7th. I'm hosting a fun launch party on June 12th and I'd love for you to be there in person or in spirit. My next newsletter will go out right around the 7th. If you haven't signed up yet, please do so today!
www.juliehyzy.com

Thanks!
Julie

5 comments:

  1. Gee, what could be more fun on Mother's Day than making fun of Mom? LOL! I can't wait to see it, Julie. I'm sure you were charming. Sounds like a perfect Mother's Day, and I'm itching to try that dip.

    ~ Krista

    ReplyDelete
  2. Julie...if I hadn't just finished our dinner I would be making this...right now!!! I've added all the ingredients to my grocery list and plan on making it tomorrow!!!! We also love the Milagro chips...muy delicioso!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yummy! I hope you manage to get that video up, I'd love to see it. Your June 12th launch party (need time and location please!) is right smack in the middle of my daughter's and granddaughter's visit - so you might get to meet the whole fam-damily... LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks fabulous, Julie! I can see why you might not have been hungry for pizza afterwards! Can't wait to try it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Woo-hoo! Blogger finally posted and allowed comments! Thanks for your patience, everyone!

    Shel - no worries. I'll be plastering the launch party info all over the Internet very soon. Plus a newsletter on release day.

    Glad everyone likes this dip, so far. Just wait till you try it. A little different and very good!

    ReplyDelete