Appetizers Galore - Dips

Before I post all the appetizers I have found in my collection, I want to encourage all you nanas and poppas, grandmothers, and grandfathers to spend as much time as you can with your grandchildren, when they are young. I have two grandchildren in this area, one in Colorado, and three in Hawaii. Spend as much time with all of them as you can. They are a precious gift given to us by our children. Always remember the saying, "If I knew grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first.".

I spent Saturday afternoon taking my granddaughter Izzy and my grandson Timmy to see the Waterhorse. (Great family movie, by the way) We somehow got there at least 30 minutes before the show. ( I'm not good with time.) It gave us a chance to sit and visit while we waited for the movie. I suddenly realized that I have not been spending enough time with my oldest grandson and youngest granddaughter. They become really busy people when they enter school and begin playing soccer, baseball, etc. We had a great time, and decided to find another movie we could all enjoy, in a couple of weeks.

So, take the time to call your grandchildren, play with them, take them to a movie, or (since this blog is about cooking) teach them how to cook.

Now----on with the recipes for appetizers

Appetizer Recipes - Dips

Some of these recipes have not been tested by me, but they were in my collection of old recipes and look pretty good.

Reuben Dip Recipe

1/2 c. Frank's kraut, drained and chopped

1 3oz. pkg cream cheese, softened

1 8oz. container sour cream

1/2 c. grated Swiss cheese

4 oz. sliced corned beef, finely diced

2-3 T. milk

Combine and heat all ingredients, except milk, in a small saucepan over low heat until hot. Thin with milk if necessary.

Mexican 7-Layer Dip Recipe

1 3/4 c. (16 oz.) can refried beans

1 pkg Taco seasoning

1 c. sour cream

1 c. 8 oz. container guacamole (You can make your own guacamole, if you want)

1 c. shredded 4 cheese Mexican Blend

1 c. thick and chunky salsa

1/2 c. (4oz) can diced green chiles

1/3 c.( 2 large) sliced green onions

Tortilla Chips

Combine refried beans and taco seasoning. Spread the bean mixture in an 8 inch square dish or pie plate. Top in layers in this order----sour cream, guacamole, cheese,salsa, chiles and green onions. Can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and chilled. Serve with chips.

Creamy Taco Dip Recipe

1 lb. Velveeta Cheese (16 oz.)

1 16 oz container of sour cream

1 pkg of taco seasoning

Melt cheese in the microwave on high 5 minutes. Stir after 3 minutes. Stir in sour cream and taco seasoning. Mix together and heat till warm. Serve with chips.

Hot Layered Taco Dip Recipe

1 c. salad dressing

1 c. sour cream

1 can (4oz.) green chiles

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 c. each shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese

1/2 c. each chopped green onions and tomato

2 T slick black olives

Mix dressing, sour cream,chiles and seasoning mix. Spoon into bottom into a 9 inch pie plate. Bake at 350 F for 20 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Layer lettuce, cheese, green oinions,tomato, and olives over taco mixture. Serve with assorted cut up vegetables and/or tortilla chips.

Here are some spinach dip recipes that are each a little bit different from each other. It might be fun to try one of them for your next party.

Italian Spinach Dip Recipe with Edible Bowl

1 loaf (16 oz) round sourdough bread

1 c. salad dressing

1 c. sour cream

1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix

1 pkg. (10oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

1/2 c. chopped red pepper (opt.)

Cut slice from top of bread loaf; remove center, leaving 1 inch thick shell. Cut removed bread into bite-size pieces.

Mix Italian dressing mix , sour cream, and salad dressing in small bowl until blended. Add pinach and red pepper; mix well and refrigerate.

Spoon dip into bread shell just before serving. Serve with bread pieces and cut up vegetables.

Hot Spinach Dip Recipe

1 c. salad dressing

1 pkg. chopped frozen spinach, thawed and well drained

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese or swiss cheese

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1 clove garlic minced

chopped tomato

sliced green onions

Mix all ingredients except tomato and onions.

Spoon into 9 inch pie plate.

Bake a 350F for 20 - 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with tomato and onions. Serve with crackers.

Spinach Beef Dip Recipe

1 10 oz. pkg chopped frozen spinach, thawed and well drained.

1 8oz. pkg cream cheese, softened

1 c. mayonaise

1/2 c. chopped green onions

1 T. dill weed

1 2 1/2 oz. pkg dried beef, rinsed and chopped

a few drops of Tabasco to taste

salt to taste

Combine all ingredients ,except dried beef, salt, and Tabasco, in blender. Blend on high for 1 -2 minutes. Serve with crackers. Some people don't use all the dried beef, as it is very salty.

I have several recipes for shrimp dip. Whenever I make anything with seafood, I use fresh or frozen shrimp, lobster, crab, salmon,etc. I really don't care for canned seafood unless it is tuna. For any recipe I post, just assume the seafood is fresh or frozen.

Shrimp Dip Recipe

8 oz. cream cheese plus 3 oz. cream cheese

1 pkg Italian dressing

1tsp lemon juice

6 oz. chopped shrimp

Mix softened cream cheese and other ingredients. Serve with crackers or chips

The following recipes come from a collection published in Sheridan ,Wyoming. It was published to celebrate 100 years of history from all the many long time residents of Sheridan. My mother-in-law had this book in her kitchen. It is well worn and used, so the recipes myst be good. When she passed away, my sister-in-law gave it to me, as she already had a copy. There are some great recipes in this book. I will reference them, as being from this book, when I post them.

These next 3 recipes are from that book.

Seafood Dip Recipe

1 (12 oz.) seafood sauce ( they listed Nally-I assume any cocktail sauce will do)

1 small can sliced ripe olives

1 can broken shrimp ( I would use 6 oz. fresh or frozen cocktail shrimp)

1/2 - 1 c. chopped celery

1 T. diced onion

Mix all ingredients well. Serve with crackers or chips.

Shrimp Dip Recipe

1 can broken shrimp ( I would use 6 oz. fresh or frozen shrimp)

2 c. sour cream

1/2 c. chili sauce

3-4 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 - 1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

2 - 4 T horseradish

Mix all ingredients and chill. Serve with crackers or chips.

Shrimp Dip Recipe

1 8oz container sour cream

1 T. minced onion

3 T. chili sauce
salt and pepper
1 can shrimp ( 6oz. fresh or frozen shrimp)
1 tsp. parsley flakes

2 T lemon juice

Mash shrimp. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate before serving.

Serve with chips or crackers.