Jalapeno Cheese Dip

Hot dips are the perfect appetizer to serve on cold nights. Typically, rich and cheesy, they break the ice at any get-together.

Artichoke-Chile Dip

Savvy readers will have noted that with six children aged 3 to 14, I’ve spent a good portion of my life pregnant. In fact, I think I was continuously pregnant or nursing for about 13 years. As such, what I ate did not just affect me. It affected another little person. I basically ate for two for over a decade.

And while pregnant or nursing, I leaned toward comfort foods — and those rich in nutrients. Once I heard that artichokes were good for pregnant woman, I gave myself carte blanche to eat as much  artichoke dip as I wanted. Oh yes, I did.

I love artichoke dip. Hot, cheesy, and full of flavor, its soft texture provides such a lovely contrast to the crisp toasts I serve with it.

In fact, over the years, I’ve collected a small repertoire of hot dips that we enjoy throughout the winter months as well as on cooler summer evenings. Hot dips are perfect for cold evening get-togethers with friends. In addition to the aforementioned, perfect-for-pregnant-women, Artichoke Dip, herb-baked goat cheese and  Garlic Brie Bread are big favorites with me.

Recently, I messed around in the kitchen to create this Jalapeno Cheese Dip. It started because I was using up some leftover chopped jalapenos and bell pepper and then it kinda morphed from there. It is delicious cold with veggie dippers, but cozily warming if served hot from the oven with tortilla chips.

The leftover was fantastic as the filling for Jalapeno Poppers. And I imagine that it would be great as a sandwich spread, too.

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Jalapeno Cheese Dip

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time35 mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cheese dip, homemade cheese dip, jalapeno cheese dip

Servings: 8

Calories: 187kcal

Author: Jessica Fisher

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 jalapeno sliced
• 1/2 red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 clove garlic (chopped)
• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
• 4 oz cheddar cheese (shredded) (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 green onion chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°. Spray a 4-cup baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a small saute pan, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the jalapeno, red pepper, and garlic. Saute for several minutes until the peppers and garlic are soft. Allow to cool.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a plastic blade, place the pepper mixture, cream cheese, and 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Blend until smooth. Stir in the sour cream and scallions.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips.

Notes

Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days.

Nutritional values are approximate and based on 1/8 the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 827IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 1mg