Do You Double Dip?

(Published on surfKY News on March 22, 2012)

One of my favorite episodes of Seinfield is the one about George double dipping a chip at the wake of his girlfriend's aunt. Obviously, George did not think he did anything wrong when he dipped his chip, took a bite then proceeded to dip it again. But his girlfriend's brother Timmy, gets a little bent out of shape and proceeds to scold him about his practice of double dipping.

Every time I am at a get-together and see dip on the food table, I think about this episode and I wonder how many people actually double dip. Anyone that does double dip, is it out of habit? Or is it to spread those microbes in the dip? In reality, double dipping is comparable to kissing everyone at the party. So in the future, you might want to check out the guests and then decide to just spoon a little dip onto a plate to prevent becoming too friendly with the others in attendance.


A dip can be made of just about anything and the combinations are endless. Start with a base ingredient such as mayonnaise, cheese, sour cream or yogurt. Next, add ingredients like tomatoes, meat or veggies and finish it off with different spices for added flavor.

If you are really good at making a cheese dip, you might consider perfecting your recipe and entering it in the 3rd Annual World Cheese Dip Championship which will be held in Little Rock, Arkansas on October 20, 2012. Over 10, 000 people have attended this event in the past two years to taste test and cast their vote to crown the champion cheese dip. Online registration is open to the general public at www.cheesedip.net for both Amateur and Professional Divisions until October 10, 2012. Proceeds from the Championship will go to benefit Harmony Health Clinic, a Little Rock based non-profit medical clinic that provides free health care for the uninsured and underserved in Pulaski County.

I have heard a rumor that there is a huge basketball game this weekend, so if you are planning to get together with friends, make sure there is plenty of food, including the chips and dip, to eat while cheering on that Big Blue Team.

So....from the words of George Costanza, “You dip the way you wanna dip. I'll dip the way I wanna dip.”

 
SUN-DRIED TOMATO DIP OR SPREAD

2 T sun-dried tomato pesto (recipe below)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Sun-dried tomatoes
Olive oil
Basil
Parmesan cheese
Pine nuts
Garlic
Spices

In a small bowl, mix both ingredients together. Use ready-made sun-dried tomato pesto or make your own.

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto: Combine ingredients to taste in a blender. Blend on high until mixture is relatively smooth. Serve with chips or chunks of bread.
 

BLT DIP

1 c mayonnaise
1 c sour cream
2 tomatoes, diced and drained
1 lb bacon, fried crisp, drained and crumbled
Shredded lettuce
1 loaf sourdough bread, cut into bite-size chunks

In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, tomatoes and bacon. Spread on bottom of a pie plate or other small serving dish. Top with shredded lettuce and serve with bread chunks.


CHICKEN NOODLE DIP

1 can cooked, chopped chicken
1 package cream cheese
1 can double noodle chicken noodle soup
5 ounces diced jalapenos - or to taste
10 ounces diced green chilies - or to taste

Combine all ingredients into a small slow cooker. Heat until the cream cheese is melted. Stir to blend all ingredients. Serve with your favorite chips or crackers.
 

NEXT WEEK—PB&J Day

Remember......Life is short. Eat Dessert first!!