Hot Chili Dip

This recipe came from my friend Jeni (Frank) Outlaw.  It's absolutely incredible!  Note for my family & friends who have experienced this dip: this is the "B____" dip.  You know what I mean. ;)

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 lbs Velveeta, cubed
• Garlic powder or garlic salt to taste (I usually substitute a clove of garlic, minced.)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 small cans tomato sauce
• 1 small can jalapeno peppers or green chiles, (depending on how hot you want the dip to be) finely chopped

Fry the ground beef and onions together and add garlic.  Put the mixture together with the remaining ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low just until the cheese is melted.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Note: This amount will fit in a smaller crock pot.  I usually make a double batch when I bring it to potlucks and make it in my 5 or 6-qt crock pot.  People love the dip so much it's pretty much all gone within not too much time even if I make a double batch.

Dad's Gameday Nacho Cheese Dip

This is the Nacho recipe that my Dad makes for a snack while watching most football and baseball games.

• 2 lb Velveeta, cubed (You can substitute the low-fat Velveeta, but don't use any other kind of cheese because it doesn't melt as smoothly.)
• 8 oz jar salsa
• 8 oz milk (Dad usually just measures by filling up the salsa jar with milk after adding the salsa to the fondue pot.)

Combine all in a fondue pot and turn on to the low or cheese setting.  Allow to melt, stirring occasionally.  Once melted, serve with tortilla chips.  Note:  If you don't have a fondue pot you can make this in a medium saucepan cooked over low heat. 

Shrimp and Crab Dip

I got this recipe from my friend Jena Willey many years ago when she made it for the 1985 Superbowl.  We still serve it for many football games and other family events.

• 1 can tiny shrimp
• 1 can crab meat
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 c sour cream
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp minced onion
• 12 oz jar seafood cocktail sauce
• chives or green onion, chopped (optional)

Drain shrimp and crab meat in a colander; mix well to combine once they're well drained.  Cream together cream cheese, sour cream, garlic and onion.  Spread cream cheese mixture on the bottom of a 9" square container. (The square Tupperware container works well for this since you can cover and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve the dip.  I have also used a round serving platter.)  Spread the shrimp and crab on top of the cream cheese mixture.  Spread the seafood cocktail sauce on top.  Sprinkle with chives or green onions if desired.  Serve with crackers.

Puppy Chow

This is one of the tastiest, most addictive snacks I’ve tasted.  It’s great for pot lucks.  This recipe says to use Crispix cereal, but you could substitute a variety of Chex cereals also.

• 9 cups Crispix cereal
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter (You can substitute margarine, just don’t use the reduced-fat kind.  It can cause the chocolate mixture to be clumpy and won’t coat the cereal evenly.)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Pour cereal into a large bowl and set aside.  In a 1-qt microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.  Microwave on HIGH 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring after 1 minute.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour chocolate mixture over cereal, stirring until all pieces are evenly coated.  Pour cereal mixture into a large resealable plastic bag with powdered sugar.  Seal securely and shake until all pieces are well coated.  Spread on waxed paper to cool.  Makes 9 cups.