Layered Greek Hummus Dip

I love hummus, so when I saw a recipe for layered Greek hummus dip on Pinterest, I knew I had to make it right away. It was easy to throw together and just involved some chopping (a food processor would make this a snap). I made this dip for a party and served it with pita chips. It was a big hit!

Layered Greek Hummus Dip
Source: adapted from Kraft via Pinterest

1 package plain hummus
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup cucumbers (chopped)
1/4 cup roasted red peppers (chopped)
1/4 cup kalamata olives (chopped)
1 teaspoon fresh oregano

Spread hummus onto the bottom of 9-inch pie plate.
Drizzle olive oil over hummus.
Sprinkle cheese, cucumbers, red peppers, olives, and oregano over hummus.
Serve with pita chips and enjoy!

White Bean and Rosemary Dip with Dubliner Cheese

This year for St. Patrick's Day we planned an Irish Feast with some friends. They hosted, and we brought side dishes and dessert. Our host made an Irish Stout Cheese Fondue with homemade pretzels and fruit and Corned Beef-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls.

I made Beer Bread with White Bean & Rosemary Dip with Dubliner Cheese (see recipe below) and Irish Car Bomb cupcakes (recipe to come later) for dessert. The feast and company were wonderful. We had a great time.

The first dish I made was White Bean and Rosemary Dip with Dubliner Cheese. I had never heard of Dubliner Cheese, but it is an Irish cheese similar to an aged cheddar with the nutty flavor of Swiss and the bite of Parmesan. Not only did my local grocery story carry it, but also it was on sale! This recipe was quick and easy to make and is best prepared a day ahead to allow the ingredients to meld. The texture is similar to hummus, but it's creamier and much more flavorful. It's a perfect dip for crackers, veggies, beer bread, or pretzels. 

White Bean & Rosemary Dip with Dubliner Cheese
Source: adapted from Kerrygold

1 (15-oz.) can northern beans (rinsed and drained)
1 cup Dubliner Cheese (shredded)
3/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 to 2 tablespoons stout beer
2 teaspoons crushed, dried rosemary
salt and pepper to taste

Puree beans, cheese, yogurt, garlic, and beer in a food processor until very smooth. Stir in rosemary and season with salt and pepper.

Crack Dip (Buffalo Chicken Dip)

It's called crack dip because one try and you're hooked. I first tried this dip at a potluck at my old job. (I really miss those potlucks, the job not so much.) What can I say about this dip? Every time I make it, people go nuts. It looks ugly and is not one of the healthiest things to put in your body. But it tastes just like a chicken wing dipped in bleu cheese dressing. This dip is creamy and spicy and addictive. It's a hit at a party!

Crack Dip (Buffalo Chicken Dip)
Source: adapted from Frank's RedHot

Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
2 (8 oz.) blocks of cream cheese
1/2 - 3/4 cup Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wings sauce
1 cup bleu cheese dressing (or ranch)
1 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup bleu cheese crumbles (optional)

Directions:
Cook chicken breasts. (I poach them in the crock pot for 4 hours on low.)
Shred chicken with two forks and place in crock pot.
Add remaining ingredients to crock pot and mix well.
Cook on low for 1 hour and then keep on warm.
Serve with tortilla chips and celery.

Pumpkin Fluff

We were over my mother-in-law's a few weeks ago for dinner and she made a pumpkin dip for dessert. It was so good! I asked for the recipe, but it was a mix she bought while she was on vacation. Instead of trying to find a mix, I decided I would go home and recreate it. After making the pumpkin lasagna the other night, I had leftover pumpkin puree, so I decided to experiment. I think I got the recipe pretty close to the mix. This dip is addicting. I served it with pound cake slices.

Pumpkin Fluff

Ingredients:

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 block cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

3 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup whipped topping

Directions:

Cream together cream cheese and sugar.

Add pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and powdered sugar.

Beat well.

Fold in whipped topping.