The Three Ingredient Manly Appetizer: Rotel Sausage Dip

My friend Shawn shared this recipe with me a few years ago, and its so super easy.  It literally is three ingredients, you can double up if you're going to a big party or just stick to one of each ingredient if its a smaller gathering.  However much or little you take, I guarantee it will be gone. 

Rotel Sausage Dip

What you need:

• 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes (mild or spicy) with green chiles
• 1 pound bulk sausage (regular or spicy, whichever you prefer)
• 1 8 oz block of cream cheese

What you do:
Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray.   Crumble the sausage and brown in a skillet, drain the grease once all cooked thru.   Dump the sausage into your baking dish.   Dump the can of Rotel in there (you don't have to even drain it).  Plop the block of cream cheese on top of it all.   No need to mix it up.   Bake in the oven at 375 degrees (uncovered) for 20-25 minutes.  Remove from oven, stir it all together.  Serve with chips of your choice - Tostitos, crackers or my favorite - Fritos!   You can reheat in the microwave during your party if it starts to get cold.


Everytime I take this to a party, the bowl is licked clean and everyone wants the recipe.  Three ingredients, plus the chips.  You can't beat that!   Just in time for Superbowl.  It may not be the prettiest appetizer you've ever seen but I can pretty much bet you'll be glad you made it.

NovemberFEST

'Twas a little belated for Oktoberfest but nonetheless, invited a couple of friends over last night for a sampling of fine fall flavors.  Wish I had gotten more photos, but the menu included...

Bier! Hot Pretzels and Beer Cheese! Apples and Caramel! Sausage and Peppers! 
Pumpkin Ice Cream! Cider! Beer Bread! 

Oktoberfest Beer Cheese Dip

(16 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese (4 cups)
(8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups of a good, dark beer
2 teaspoons garlic powder

1. Melt the cream cheese in a large saucepan over medium heat. (If you take it straight out of refrigerator, you can soften a bit in microwave first).

2. Add the beer, stirring together and letting it blend.

3. Stir in the Cheddar cheese, and garlic powder; heat, stirring continually, until all the cheese is melted.

4. Serve as a dip with cubes of crusty bread (Tastefully Simple beer bread is particularly good), veggies (I like it with cauliflower and red bell peppers).  Or, you can buy those frozen soft pretzels you bake in the oven and serve with this.  Delicious!

5. You can transfer from saucepan into glass casserole dish for presentation, and microwave to re-heat as needed throughout your party.  You can also serve in a scooped out bread bowl.

Its so simple, and comes together really quickly.  You don't want to make it too far in advance before your guests arrive.  Use a good quality dark beer, too.  The flavor really comes thru in the dip.  I'd recommend something like Guinness, or some kind of a stout or porter.

Delicious!

hot bean dip

It must be the time of year, but I'm feeling the urge to share some of my favorite recipes.   I can't take a bit of credit for this one.  My good friend over at Jersey Baby shared this with me years ago and its a favorite appetizer around here.  Its even on the healthy side (as far as appetizers go!).  My kids love this, and its vegetarian as long as you use vegetarian refried beans.   A total crowd pleaser!

Hot Bean Dip

Its hot as in heated up, not as in spicy!

1 can refried beans

1 8 oz container sour cream
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 cup mild salsa (or spicy if you prefer)
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Mix everything but ½ of the cheese together in oven-safe bowl. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top and bake for 30-40 minutes until bubbly. Serve with Tostitos or Fritos corn chips.