Best Ever Chip Dip

This chip dip is my mom's recipe and it is BY FAR one of the easiest things to make.  You literally dump everything into a bowl and that's it.  For an easy last-minute appetizer, tailgate, or potluck dish, I love making this because despite being made from mostly canned foods, it tastes so fresh and vibrant.   

Best Ever Chip Dip  

Ingredients:

• 1 can whole kernel corn 
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 can Rotel (the Mexican variety is best, but that's not always easy to find) 
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (I actually used a variety called culantro that lasts longer/stays fresher than normal cilantro) 
• drizzle of olive oil
• drizzle of red wine vinegar 

Directions:

1. Combine everything - that's it!  Enjoy

Bacon Wrapped Dates

 

I’ve made bacon wrapped dates for two separate potlucks this week – they are one of the easiest appetizers to make, and they taste incredible.  Anyone could make these – it takes almost no cooking skills whatsoever. 

The second batch I made I actually drizzled with balsamic glaze.  You could also stuff them with goat cheese if you want to be extra fancy!

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Ingredients:

·        Dried, pitted dates

·        Bacon

·        Balsamic glaze (optional)

·        Toothpicks

 

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2. Cut your bacon in half.  

3. Wrap each date in a half slice of bacon and hold together with a toothpick and place on a baking sheet with edges (to make sure the bacon grease doesn’t run off the sides).

 

4. Cook your dates for 15 minutes, then flip them over and bake them an additional 10 – 15 minutes more, or until the bacon starts to get crispy. 

5. Put on serving plate and drizzle with balsamic glaze. 

Thanksgiving 2014 – Baked Brie with Apricots & Almonds

 

My mom normally makes baked brie for Thanksgiving, but since her oven was occupied with the turkey on Thanksgiving, she asked that I make it at my place.  The puff pastry came in a 2-pack, so I used the extra to make a decorative lattice crust on top. 

It’s actually pretty easy to make, but you can impress your friends and family with a fancy looking dish! 

Baked Brie with Apricots & Almonds

Ingredients:

• 1 large wheel brie cheese (I used a 28.2 ounce size)
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 2 sheets puff pastry
• 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1 cup apricot jam
• 1 egg

Directions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  While it’s heating up, toast your almonds until slightly browned (keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn).

 

2. Spray your cooking dish and spread out the first sheet of puff pastry.  Place the brie on top, then spread the jam on top, and sprinkle with dried apricots and almonds.

 

3. Wrap the sides of the pastry around the brie wheel.  Cut your other sheet into long, even strips. 

4. To make your lattice crust, lay half the strips across the brie vertically.  Fold back every other strip, and then place another strip going across horizontally, perpendicular to the others. 

5. Unfold the strips and fold back the opposite ones this time.  Lay another strip horizontally.  Keep repeating the process until you have a lattice top (the photo below from Gimme Some Oven explains it in more detail). 

 

5. Tuck the ends of the lattuce under.  Whisk one egg with 1 T water, then brush the egg wash over the top of the puff pastry.

 

6. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve with crackers, apple slices, or anything you like dipping in cheese!