It’s time to see the old year out and ring in the new! With all the New Year’s resolutions fresh in everyone’s minds, we might want to add a few new items to our New Year’s celebration menu, too.
Whether it’s a party on New Year’s Eve or a dinner on New Year’s Day; it’s always tough choosing between a dip or a spread to go with your favorite crackers or chips. However, these two recipes may make that choice a little easier this year. One is for dipping tortilla chips and the other is for spreading on your favorite crackers or even using it as a dip with your favorite fresh vegetable.
Happy New Year!
SOUTH OF THE BORDER TACO DIP
2 (9-ounce) cans bean dip
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 plum tomato, seeded and diced (about 1/2 cup)
2 green onions with tops, thinly sliced
1/2 cup pitted ripe olives, sliced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
Tortilla chips
Additional sour cream (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread bean dip over the bottom of an oval or oblong baking dish.
Combine cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning mix and garlic (pressed with a garlic press); mix well. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over bean dip.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over top of all. Bake 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Dice tomato and thinly slice green onions and olives. Sprinkle the vegetables and chopped cilantro and remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top of dip. Serve hot or cold.
You may add additional sour cream when serving. Makes 8 servings.
DEVILED CRAB SPREAD
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup finely crushed snack cracker crumbs (your choice of brand)
1 (6-ounce) can crabmeat, drained and flaked
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
Additional snack crackers (your choice)
Beat cream cheese in small bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth; add mustard and milk, beating until well-blended.
Add cracker crumbs, crabmeat, green onions and bell pepper. Place in greased 8-inch pie plate or small baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees or 20 minutes or until golden brown and hot. Serve as a spread with crackers. Makes about 2 1/3 cups.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature.
Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
