Tag Archives: Appetizers

Layered Salsa Dip

Appetizers February 4, 2026 Leave a comment

Some recipes are timeless, especially when it comes to party snacks. One popular choice is the Easy Layered Salsa Dip, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This dip was very popular in the 1980s and combines cream cheese, Picante Chunky Sauce, and toppings like cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, chili peppers, and black olives. It has been a staple at family gatherings since the ’80s and is the kind of dip that makes people hover around the kitchen island until it’s gone. Get ready to watch it disappear!

Ingredients

  • 1 jar of Picante Chunky Sauce
  • 1 (8-oz) cream cheese
  • 1 (4-oz) can chopped mild chunky Chile peppers (no seeds)
  • 1 8-oz bag shredded Iceberg lettuce
  • 1-1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes or sliced cherry tomatoes
  • 1 can of sliced black olives
  • 2 cups of fancy shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese

Process

  1. Mix Picante sauce, cream cheese, and can of mild Chile peppers until pink. Don’t overmix, it’s okay to have some white streaks of cream cheese.
  2. Spread in a shallow pie dish or quiche dish.
  3. Top the cream cheese mixture with a layer of shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, black olives and top with finely shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese.

The serving options are many. Tortilla chips are traditional, but I also like to offer bell pepper strips and cucumber slices for a lighter snack. No matter how you prepare it, after over 40 years in my family, it is always the first to go at family gatherings

Jalapeño Popper Dip

Dinner Ideas November 22, 2025 Leave a comment

Ingredients

  • 4 Jalapeño peppers
  • 8 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 jar (4 oz) pimentos, drained
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Process

  1. Preheat broiler with rack 6” from broiler element.
  2. Place jalapeños on a rimmed baking sheet, broil until charred and flip to other side to char. About 6 -8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let sit for 10 minutes. The skins should slide off.
  3. Remove and discard skins, stems, and seeds from the jalapeños, transfer to a food processor with the cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, pimientos, salt and garlic powder. Puree until smooth; pour into a 1-quart baking dish.
  4. Combine Panko, parsley or cilantro, and oil, sprinkle over dip. Bake at 375° F. until golden and warmed through, about 15-20 minutes.

Serve with chips or raw vegetables such as bell or red pepper, chunks of cauliflower, broccoli or celery sticks.

Smoked Salmon wrapped Cheese balls

Dinner Ideas November 19, 2025 Leave a comment

Ingredients

  • 1 8-ounce cream cheese block
  • 8-ounce cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons chives, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 4-ounce package of Smoked Salmon
  • 1 English cucumber sliced into 1/2-inch rounds for garnish

Process

  1. Bring cheeses to room temperature.
  2. In a mixer, mix cream cheese, cheddar, Garlic salt, and onion powder.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  4. Remove plastic wrap and using a ¾ inch cookie scooper, scoop cheese into small balls.
  5. In a small bowl, mix parsley and Parmesan cheese together.
  6. Roll each ball in the parsley and cheese mixture.
  7. Separate the salmon layers and cut 1-inch circles of smoked salmon and wrap around each ball. Place the balls in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  8. Before serving, dip the top of each ball into chopped chives.
  9. Place cheese ball on top of cucumber slice and secure with a toothpick.