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    3 Easy Party Dips

    By | Shine Food – Fri, Jan 20, 2012 7:43 PM EST

    These basic dips are sure to dazzle your crowd and are simple to make! Each recipe is full of flavor and travels beautifully.

    Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip
    Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip
    Ingredients
    1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
    1/2 cup mayonnaise
    4 green onions, sliced
    3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    1 garlic clove, pressed
    1 1/4 cups (5 oz.) shredded pepper Jack cheese
    1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
    1 (14-oz.) can medium-size artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
    Crackers and assorted fresh vegetables

    Preparation
    1. Preheat oven to 350°. Stir together first 6 ingredients and 1 cup pepper Jack cheese. Fold in spinach and artichokes. Spoon into a lightly greased 1-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pepper Jack cheese.
    2. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until center is hot and edges are bubbly. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve with crackers and assorted vegetables.

    Try it with crab! Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Crab: Increase mayonnaise to 1 cup and Parmesan cheese to 1 1/4 cups. Prepare recipe as directed in Step 1, folding in 1 lb. fresh jumbo lump crabmeat, drained and picked, with spinach and artichokes and spooning into a 2-qt. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until center is hot and edges are bubbly. Makes: 10 to 12 servings. Hands-on time: 15 min., Total time: 55 min.

    Related: 12 Party Punches

    Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip
    Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip
    Ingredients
    1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
    1 (16-oz.) jar spicy black bean dip
    1/2 (8-oz.) package shredded Mexican cheese blend
    Toppings: sliced green onions, chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives
    Assorted tortilla and corn chips

    Preparation
    1. Layer cream cheese, dip, and cheese in a 1-qt. serving dish. Add toppings, and serve with chips.
    Note: For testing purposes only, we used Desert Pepper Trading Company Spicy Black Bean Dip.

    Related: Fiesta Party Planner

    Brown Sugar Fruit Dip
    Brown sugar brings sweet goodness to this fruit dip. Pair it with any fresh, seasonal fruit.—we prefer strawberries, pineapple, and grapes.Brown sugar brings sweet goodness to this fruit dip. Pair it with any fresh, seasonal …
    Ingredients:
    1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
    1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
    1 cup sour cream
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1/3 cup coffee liqueur (optional)
    1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
    Garnish: brown sugar
    Assorted fruit

    Preparation:
    1. Beat brown sugar and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sour cream, vanilla, and, if desired, coffee liqueur, beating until blended and smooth; fold in whipped topping. Cover and chill 4 hours. Garnish, if desired. Serve with assorted fruit.
    Note: For testing purposes only, we used Kahlúa for coffee liqueur.

    Related: 40 Party Appetizer Recipes

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