Hot Pizza Dip #7

The whole reason I chose appetizers as my February category was because of the Super Bowl.  Little did I know how sick I would be.  I haven't been off the couch or bed in 3 days, but I managed to make a couple of dips.  This is the first one.  It came from All Recipes.

The case:

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup pizza sauce
2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
2 ounces pepperoni sausage, chopped
2 tablespoons sliced black olives

Directions
In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, oregano, parsley, and basil.
Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate, or a shallow microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture. Spread the pizza sauce over all. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, then top with green pepper, pepperoni and olive slices. Cover, and microwave for 5 minutes. Serve hot.

The ruling:
I just used regular pepperoni on top.  I also did make this the day before after reading many reviewers say that enhanced the flavor.  This was good.  Everyone liked it.  I just served it with regular tortilla chips, but I think it would be better with bagel chips.

Garlic Herb Spinach Artichoke Dip #94

Another game day inspired dish.  I found this on Allrecipes this morning, and just happened to have all the ingredients on hand.  I love garlic herb Alouette cheese, so I can't wait to try this recipe. 

The case:

Ingredients
8 slices bacon
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (14 ounce) can quartered marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1 (5 ounce) container garlic-herb flavored cheese spread
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise

Directions
1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2.  Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain and crumble into a medium bowl.
3.  Mix spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic-herb flavored cheese spread, Parmesan cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise into the bowl with bacon.
4.  Scoop mixture into a 7x11 inch baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 20 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

The ruling:
Michael loved this dip!  I really liked it, and if I still wasn't in my first trimester, I think I would love it.  It is definitely creamy and garlicky.   

Jalapeno Popper Dip

I made this on the spur of the moment for a Mexican recipe exchange.  It had tons of great reviews on allrecipes.com.  After reading all the reviews, I changed it up a bit.  Now it is one of our favorite dips!  I know the ingredients sound weird and it isn't the prettiest, but the final taste is delicious!

Ingredients:

• 2 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 4 oz can green chilies
• 2 oz can chopped jalapenos 
• 1/2 Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
• Tortilla chips for dipping.

Directions:

1. Mix together cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo.
2. Blend green chilies and jalapenos into a food processor,if desired, and mix with cream cheese mixture. Or add straight to cream cheese mixture. 
3. Spread dip in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
4. Mix Parmesan and Panko bread crumbs.  Sprinkle over cream cheese mixture.
5. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  Serve with tortilla chips.

 Printable Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe

Southwestern Sausage & Black Bean Dip #20

Yay I'm 1/5 of the way to my goal and it is only the beginning of February! I cannot wait to try this dip. I got it from another recipe blogger.

The case:
3/4 lb sausage, cooked and crumbled (Jimmy Dean Light)
6 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup plain Oikos Greek yogurt
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (I used Mexican cheese blend)
1 can Rotel tomatoes, drained
1 can black beans, drained

Mix together and pour in baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30-14 minutes, or until bubly. Serve with tortilla chips and/or fritos.

The ruling:
Absolutely delicious! I loved these!