Our family loves to whip up appetizers – more specifically…yummy dips.
I understand that dips are supposed to be saved for those special occasions, but why wait for special occasions when they are so easy?
I have mastered healthier, low fat options by substituting low fat cheeses, sour cream, and always adding twice as many fresh vegetables (if the recipe calls for it).
While making dips, learning to experiment with flavors has been a fantastic way to encourage my children with their culinary creativity.
We have been spending lots of time with family this week and there is nothing that rekindles memories of yesteryears more than a family recipe. When I first met my husband, I remember being served this Southern caviar dip whenever we would visit. My mother in law has passed away, but the tradition continues as my sister in law always makes this for our family get-togethers. I just found out this week where the recipe originated from decades ago, and how their family began serving it. Do you know the origin of favorite family recipes? If not, find out, and pass the recipe down through the generations…with the story.
Southern Caviar (recipe passed from GA to MN to WI and then to NC)
No guilt with this recipe…just flavor and sheer garden goodness. This did NOT look like a dip I would enjoy when I first saw it, but one bite and I was in love. 🙂
- Tall can of black eyed peas (rinse and drain)
- One can of shoe peg corn (drained)
- 3-4 green onions (chopped)
- 1/4 onion (chopped..red onion is delicious as well)
- 1/3 of a green pepper (I love to add yellow and red as well)
- 2 tomatoes (chopped)
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing (or more til desired consistency)
- 2 Tbs chopped jalapenos (or more to taste)
Mix well and chill. Serve with Frito Scoops
Beer Dip
Considering I am in one of the Beer Capitals of the World right now (WI), I wouldn’t be right not to share a true Wisconsin dip. The irony here is that I don’t drink ANY beer – never had, never will and I don’t like the taste one bit. Yet just a dash of beer mixed into this recipe adds an unbelievably unique flavor. It is so yummy, makes a ton for a get together, and whips up really fast! Make it the night before for an even better taste. It will give the spices time to blend.
- 3 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese (softened)
- 1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
- 1/2 -3/4 can of beer
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Mix cream cheese, dressing, and beer til you reach your desired creamy consistency. Then mix in 1/2 cup of cheese, leaving the remaining cheese to sprinkle on top.
Serve with pretzels or scoops.
Need more ideas for cooking with large groups? How about taco dip and quick, easy homemade pizza?
Group cooking in a pinch…what do you have in your freezer? Check out my one hour experiment.
I can’t wait to see what everyone is sharing for Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods
As always, please follow the simple guidelines or post will be deleted.
1. Include your post showing us your Tasty Tuesday recipe or ideas.
2. Link up below to the permalink of your post. To find out what yours is, simply click on the title of your post and grab the permalink from the address bar.
3. Link your post back to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam as a courtesy to me so everyone will know where to find more recipe inspiration.
Tasty Tuesday Parade of Food Participants
Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.
Yum!! I must try that Beer Dip – it sounds so interesting! I hope you're having a great time with family!
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Both of those sound absolutely delish. The first so flavorful, and the second, sensational. Beer dip, yum.
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Beer Dip – it will be a great hit during football season!
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YUM these REALLY sound WONDERFUL!!
~TidyMom
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Hey Jen! Those recipes are great…. I have a similar one from Paula Deen she calls South GA Caviar. It's SO good. Anxious to try this one too.
I'm bummed to not participate this week. I'm traveling and didn't come prepared with a recipe! 🙁 Sounds like you're traveling too! Be safe and enjoy your time away!
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Can't wait to try that beer dip!
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Yummy recipes today, Jen! 🙂 I bet my husband would like the beer recipe. 🙂
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I've made the pea dip – it's delicious. However, I've never made the beer dip and can't wait to give that one a try:) Thanks for sharing. Hope to see you at Crock Pot Wednesdays beginning August 5.
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Both of those recipes look yummy! I'm going to try that Southern Caviar…healthy and yummy…that's the ticket!
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How funny! The first time I join your party, we have practically the same recipe:-)
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Can't go to a summertime party without seeing some of that caviar!
The beer dip sounds delicious, too.
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These look delicious! I hope you're having an enjoyable summer.
Jane
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I am originally from Wisconsin too and have never like the taste of beer. But I do like to soak brats in them and the dip sounds good – might have to try it out.
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the beer dip sounds interesting…I will try it though even if I don't like the taste of beer.
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I don't know if I did that linking thing right, but I love this idea- especially when I need some inspiration!
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Ok, after I got through loving the NAME of your first dip, then I moved on and loved the ingredients. 🙂 Thanks for the reminder to "healthy up" whenever we can.
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Both sounds great! I will def be trying these soon!
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Sounds great! We love dips at our house too!
Thanks for hosting!
~Liz
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YUM!! These look great… we love to have all kinds of dips at get-togethers, they are so fun to try!! Thanks for stopping by my blog… I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone from the new ning site! 🙂
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Thank you for those great recipes! Sometimes for family movie night I make a variety of dips so these will fit right in!
Manuela
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I love dips!! I've made that southern caviar before, but I think my husband would be excited for me to try the beer dip – after all, that would mean I'd have to buy beer, something I normally don't spend money on! (Easy for me, since I don't like beer…but he does!)
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I have guests coming for 4 days…I think that beer dip sounds yummy!
sandy toe
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Sounds great. Dips are great for casual get togethers, so I will be trying them soon. I posted some blueberry recipes, but I guess maybe I missed linking up. Jackie
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Wow, the southern caviar sounds great! And I LOVE healthy dips – for the kids and myself!
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Both sound so good!
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I'm having trouble finding the Tasty tuesday recipes. How do I figure out where they are posted? Is there a link I'm missing. I did manage to post my recipe (first time participate) but now I can't find where they are. Help !!!!
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Mr. Linky has serious issues and hey those Starbucks coupons WFM! Hope to see you soon with new recipes.
Ginger
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UGH, my friends – I have been away from the computer and I just found out that Mr. Linky is down all around blogland today. So sorry for those of you trying to link up. GRR….they have been trying to work out those kinks.
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Happy Friday! Mr. Linky seems to be AWOL. I hope you’ll stop by my Friday Feast link/recipe exchange and share these classic party recipes.
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/07/friday-feasts-couscous.html
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My daughter (24) just made your Southern Caviar to take to a party tonight. You are right – one taste and I am hooked on this stuff! Thanks for sharing the recipe. 🙂
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