Yummy Party Dip

For many gatherings on my mom's side of the family, we are asked to bring an appetizer. Easy enough! I have routinely fallen into bringing a Crock-Pot filled with meatballs or sausages and an easy chili-based sauce. Something that is bite-sized, yummy, warm throughout the evening (and these parties last a LONG TIME - especially if Springsteen is played)... I believed they would go like hot-cakes.

They are NEVER eaten. Think I would have learned my lesson? Nope - I keep going back to lugging that Crock-Pot. 

I am done. Never again. I have vowed to myself - I will never bring a Crock-Pot filled with bite-sized appetizer meat again. Thus begins the search for the perfect appetizer. AND I THINK I FOUND IT. 

Warm Blue Cheese & Bacon Dip. 

Don't like blue cheese? That's ok. This dip is still worth a try. The smoky bacon flavor really dominates this yummy dip.

Photo courtesy of The Larson Lingo. 

You’ll Need:

7 slices bacon, crumbled (I used pre-cooked bacon)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 c half & half (or whole milk)
4 oz blue cheese, crumbled
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons fresh green onions, chopped
3 tablespoons smoked almonds, chopped

Then:

Cook bacon in large skillet OR zap your pre-cooked bacon and let it cool.
Once cooled, chop the bacon.

In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth with a mixer.
Add half & half (or milk) & mix.
Stir in crumbled bacon, blue cheese, garlic powder & green onions.
Stir until combined.

Transfer to a 2 cup oven proof serving dish.
Cover with foil & Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

After it has cooled, sprinkle with chopped almonds.
Serve with slices of apples or sliced baguette – both are great escorts for this dip.

And say goodbye to your sausage bites. Although - - this would stay warm in my mini Crock-Pot! Looks like I will be lugging it around again...

Send me your favorite appetizer dishes - I am always looking for inspiration. 

Recipe courtesy of The Larson Lingo.