Saturday, December 5, 2009

Warm Blue Cheese Dip

This may not be the healthiest item on your hors d'oeuvres table, but, I can tell you that it is delicious! There are so many unbelievably good favors going on in here. If you are out on a cold morning getting that Christmas tree, make this before you leave. While everyone is waiting for lunch to be ready, they can munch on this. I loved it with celery, especially. If you serve it with crackers, use Table Water crackers. With all the flavors you don't want a cracker to compete. And, if you happen to have some dip left over, save it and top a baked potato or add to some mashed potatoes! This would also be a nice item on a bruschetta bar with crusty French baguette slices. Next I am testing this with turkey bacon, Neufchatel cheese, and low-fat half and half. If there is a way to shave some calories out of this, I at least have to try! Believe me, you can eat this with a spoon if you like blue cheese!

Warm Blue Cheese Dip
8 slices hickory smoked bacon, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8-oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 oz. crumbled blue cheese (1 cup)
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
2 Tbsp chopped almonds
Chopped fresh parsley Crackers, French bread and/or fresh vegetables

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium high heat for about 8 minutes or until nearly crisp. Drain bacon; wipe skillet dry. Return bacon to skillet; add garlic and cook over medium heat until bacon is crisp, about 3 minutes, making sure garlic doesn't burn. Drain on paper towels. With mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add cream; beat well. Fold in bacon, garlic, blue cheese and chives. Transfer to 2-cup baking dish. Sprinkle top evenly with the almonds. Bake until heated through and browned on top, 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with crackers, bread and /or vegetables. Makes 8-10 servings.

10 comments:

  1. Linda, this recipe sounds unbelievably delicious! What a great appetizer for the upcoming holiday parties. Many thanks

    PS: I love your snowy tree farm photo on your banner!

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  2. Oh my. Oh my. This sounds absolutely fab-tabulous!! Love dips with a big flavor and I think this one has it all. Great great post. Thank you for sharing this gem.

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  3. So glad you stopped by my blog!! I'm glad you enjoy reading it :)

    This blue cheese dip sounds AMAZING! I used to hate blue cheese, but as my taste buds have matured, I have learned to LOVE it.

    Have a great evening.

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  4. This sounds fantastic. I'll be trying this over te holiday.

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  5. Gosh...this is surely my kind of dip! Oh my...I must try this!

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  6. Oh this looks delicious! By the way, I LOVE your idea of dipping marshmallows in fondue - I never would have thought of that but it sounds perfect!

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  7. This looks perfect for Christmas open houses. I'll be it would be a great dip for chicken drumettes, too. Oh, dear, that's not lightening it up, is it?

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  8. You can never have too many dip recipes and this sounds fantastic. Thanks for visiting my blog. I will be back visiting here.

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  9. Teresa- this looks really great. I absolutely love blue cheese. This recipe needs to go on my Christmas Eve buffet. As always, thanks for yet another great recipe.

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