Peanut Butter Caramel Dip

I have a tasty treat to share today!  Well the info all about it, anyway.  I enjoyed every last bit of what I made of it earlier all by myself.  But, had you been here with me I would have shared my treat with you.  I really would have!    

Doesn't it look yummy?  It is! ...or was!    

I noticed a recipe printed on the lid of my Smucker's Peanut Butter for Peanut Butter Caramel Dip.  Yum!  I was salivating as I read through the ingredients, while I made note of what would be needed on my next trip to the grocery store so I could make 'my own' version of the recipe.  I was making plans!

I love Caramel Apples and this dip got me thinking that it's almost that time of year when they start to make an appearance.  Dare I use the 'F' word and say Fall, even though we do have the better part of September to enjoy the remainder of Summer yet, since Fall doesn't officially begin until the 23rd of this month.  I don't really hate Fall mind you, I'm just one who likes Summer much better!

I altered the recipe printed on the lid above!  To make my Peanut Butter Caramel Dip I picked up some crunchy peanut butter, because I only had smooth at home, and I thought the crunchy would give me more of a 'caramel-apple' appeal.  After all there are usually nuts on caramel apples, and that's just one more thing I like about them.  I left out the cinnamon, and I used the regular sweetened caramel topping.  Actually, I didn't even see any of the sugar-free variety at the store, and I figured I'd prefer the regular caramel topping anyway.

I only used about two tablespoons each of the first two ingredients since I was making this only for myself, and I also added just a couple teaspoons of milk (you can use honey if you prefer to not add milk, either way works, I've done it both ways), this recipe can be altered to your preferences, and I sliced up one apple for dipping.  The Gala apples are a favorite of mine and were perfect with this delicious dip, but I'm sure what ever type of apple you prefer will be good too.

    

Peanut Butter Caramel Dip

Ingredients:

1/2 cup peanut butter, crunchy or smooth 

1/2 cup caramel topping

2 tablespoons milk / or use honey instead

2 apples cored and cut into wedges

Directions:

Mix peanut butter and caramel topping in bowl until blended.  Stir in milk to make a smooth consistency, adding more milk as needed.  Serve with apple wedges.

Makes 2 to 4 servings

   

Enjoy!...

Jalapeno Popper Dip

This dip is amazingly good, and is reminiscent of jalapeno poppers, hence the name.  A creamy, cheesy, spicy delicious dip that is sure to please.  I had made note of a dip recipe sometime ago and wanted to put my own spin on it, and give it a try.  I had forgotten about it until I started planning my holiday foods list and stumbled upon it in my recipe notes.  This was another great choice to serve with my other holiday foods at that time.  I just made this yummy dip again over the past weekend and since I hadn't taken photos of it before, I did capture some this time and wanted to share them and the recipe!

I think I could actually eat my weight in this stuff.  It really is that good!  I love this dip, it's creamy, cheesy, spicy goodness.  If you like hot and spicy, this is definitely going to be something you will enjoy.  If you don't, you can back off the jalapenos called for in the recipe and it would be good too, maybe even try using canned mild chilies instead?  I didn't have any complaints at all from anyone that tried this.  In fact everyone really enjoyed it.  I get requests to make it again, and again!

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Ingredients:
3  8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise or light mayonnaise
1-1/2 cups 4 cheese mexican blend cheese, shredded or cheddar cheese, shredded
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
3 or 4 heaping tbsp diced jalapeno peppers or 4 to 6 fresh jalapenos-deseeded(seeds make it very hot)
1/4 cup of real bacon bits or 4 slices of crispy cooked bacon-diced
1/2 tsp onion powder or 1 tsp diced fresh onion


Topping:
1 cup of crushed ritz crackers
1/2 cup parmesan cheese - finely grated-the type from a can
1/2 stick of butter, melted


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Prepare an oven safe dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
In mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and mayonnaise.  Add all of the other ingredients into the mixing bowl and stir together well. Spread into a baking dish, dip should be about an inch thick. Thicker dip will require longer time to cook.
Finely crush up the ritz crackers (I place them into a zip-lock baggie and smash them).  Mix crushed crackers, the parmesan cheese and melted butter together to form topping. Sprinkle topping evenly all over the dip.  Bake for 20-30 minutes of until bubbly and warmed through, and topping is slightly browned. Serve with ritz crackers for dipping, or other crackers or tortilla chips.

Spread into baking pan.

Add topping.

Bake until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve with crackers or tortilla chips...It will disappear quickly!

Enjoy!...

Hummus - Cheese & Red Pepper

I enjoy making Hummus, it's easy to prepare, tastes great, and is great for a snack or appetizer.  Hummus is good on crusty bread, crackers or pita bread slices, and I often use sliced cucumber instead of crackers (even better if you're carb conscience).  I use Garbanzo/Chick Peas beans in my recipes for hummus.  Beans are a good source of protein, little if any fat, and low in calories.  Which makes them a good choice for healthy eating.  There are many ways to make hummus and many ways to enjoy it.  For this recipe I use a few basic ingredients, items that I usually have on hand.

Cheese & Red Pepper Hummus

Ingredients:

1 can - 16 oz. Garbanzo/Chick Peas beans - drained

1/4 cup shredded cheese blend or preference

Roasted Red Peppers, 1/2 of one pepper - approx 2 Tbsp. chopped

Fresh Basil 3or4 medium size leaves - or 1 tsp. dried Basil

1 clove Garlic or 1/2 to 1 tsp chopped garlic

2 Tbsp. Olive oil

Black pepper and Salt - to taste

Directions:

In a food processor or blender add all ingredients.  Pulse, then blend until looking paste like.  If too dry add more oil or tbsp of water and blend more.  Serve.

Also can be chilled in the refrigerator and served later, cover or place in container with lid.

Enjoy!...

Chocolate Fondue

Look at that!  A Fondue party in the making! 

I purchased a fondue pot to give to my daughter for a birthday gift last year, and her Sister got her the chocolate needed to go with it.  Chocolate fondue instead of birthday cake!  We had all the goodies for dipping: Strawberries, Brownies, Bananas, Marshmallows and Pretzel Sticks, and that made it quite the fondue experience!  We decided later to also add some peanut butter to the chocolate too....mmm.  It was delicious!   It was a fun day, and now it's also a great delicious memory!

I found the Wilton Chocolate Pro-Chocolate Melter pot and Fountain & Fondue Chocolate to go with it at Jo-Ann's fabrics and craft store.  I just knew my daughter would absolutely love it.  Getting to enjoy it with her made it even better, and that much more special.  Especially since I am a total chocoholic, as she is too...she definitely gets it honest!

This would be a fun take-a-long to a party or a pitch-in.  If you don't have a Chocolate Pro fondue pot you can melt chocolate in the microwave (or in a double boiler).  I've done that on occasion to serve with strawberries as a dessert, or an anytime treat.  I use chocolate chips - semi-sweet or milk chocolate.  Simply follow the directions on the package for melting the chocolate, then dip some fruit pieces, marshmallows, cake pieces or other goodies into the melted chocolate!  Yum! 

Do the fondue!...

~Tammy~