Wake up those taste buds

I'm always looking for new dips and appetizers to try for get together's with friends and family. I made this easy appetizer for our small Superbowl gathering. It's creamy, cheesy and has quite a kick to wake your taste buds, it might have helped that I used hot jalapenos!

Jalapeno Popper Dip
Source: My Baking Addiction

• 2 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (4 oz) can chopped chilies, drained
• 4 oz canned diced jalapeno peppers, drained
• 1/2 cup shredded Mexican style cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray oven safe serving dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Using an electric mixer, blend the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.
3. Stir in green chilies, jalapeno peppers and Mexican and mozzarella cheeses. Spoon this mixture into the prepared baking dish.
4. Mix together the Panko and Parmesan cheese and sprinkle it over the cream cheese mixture.
5. Spray the Panko and Parmesan with a quick spay of non-stick cooking spray
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the mixture is hot and the topping lightly browned.

Notes: If you are in a hurry, skip the Panko/Parmesan topping and simply microwave the cream cheese mixture until hot and bubbly.

Serve dip with French bread, fresh veggies tortilla chips, crackers...pretty much anything that pairs well with cheese!

Game Day Dip

With Super Bowl XLV fast approaching I'm starting to think about all the great food to eat and what I'm going to make. I like football although I'm more of a college football fan, but that doesn't stop me from looking forward to the Super Bowl every year. I really look forward to the food more than the game itself. One of my favorite dips to make for games is this Pizza Dip. Ohh it's soo delicious. I love to toast up some French Bread to serve it with, it seriously tastes like a pan-style pizza!!! This is definitely a must try dip!!

Pizza Dip
source: Family Circle

• 1 - 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can sliced black olives
• 4 oz pepperoni, chopped
• 1 can sliced mushrooms

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, oregano, parsley, basil, and Italian seasoning. Spread mixture on the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate or shallow baking dish.
2. Sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture. Then cover with the pizza sauce.
3. Top with remaining cheeses and your favorite pizza toppings, I like to add pepperoni, green peppers, olives and mushrooms. Refrigerator over night. This is BEST made the night before, but can be serve the same day.
4. Bake 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, you can also microwave for 5 minutes if you would like. Serve Hot!!
5. Serve with French bread, Triscuits, tortilla chips, bagel chips, bread sticks, or whatever you like. For the French bread, cut into 1-inch pieces and spread onto a baking sheet. Then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and toast for about 15 minutes.