Showing all posts tagged dips & salsa

This GUACAMOLE recipe is famous in my circles. It’s been served at family gatherings & parties for years, and every time it gets rave reviews. If we are having an event, I always get asked/told, “Are you makin’ your guac? You better be makin’ your guac.”  This guacamole is tangy & spicy, and YUMMY! Make this immediately & you, too, will be FAMOUS!

Michelle’s Famous Guacamole

September 15, 2020

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

4

Ingredients

• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1/3 cup red onion
• 1/2 jalapeño (remove the seeds)
• 1 garlic clove
• 3/4 cup loosely packed cilantro
• 4 ripe avocados
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Sea salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Place everything but the avocado, lime, salt and pepper in a food processor. Process until everything is chopped. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Add in the avocado, lime, salt & pepper, and mash together to combine. I like to keep my avocado a bit chunky.
3. Transfer to desired bowl and serve with tortilla chips.

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa

I’m really showing my age on this one! Back in the day, before the famous Gunter Hotel in San Antonio was purchased by the Sheraton group, they served this cheese as a little treat in the hotel bar and restaurants. It’s kind of like pimento cheese, but without any pimento. It has a fantastic flavor and is so easy to make. Our local newspaper published the recipe in 90s, when I was 12. Ok, I wasn’t 12, but let’s not get into that. Serve this yumminess at your next gathering and get ready for the happy faces!

Gunter Hotel Cheese Spread

December 12, 2019

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

12

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
• 8 ounces of shredded cheddar & jack cheese
• 1/3 cup each of celery & carrot
• 1/2 cup green pepper
• 1/3 cup red pepper
• 1/2 cup white onion
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cut up the vegetables into small chunks. Place in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
2. Add the cream cheese and cheddar & jack cheese to the food processor and pulse until the vegetable mixture and cheese are combined.
3. Place spread in a serving bowl.
4. Serve with crackers, flat bread chips or Melba toast

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa

I got my hands on this recipe over 25 years ago from a gentleman who was a fellow resident in a huge historical home I used to live in. The house was in King William, a historical area of San Antonio. Every year, he would host a big party in conjunction with the King William Fair, which is one of San Antonio’s official Fiesta events. The recipe holds great memories, not only from his fabulous parties, but from the many celebrations I have also served his fabulous dish. It’s got lots of ingredients, but it’s so worth it! Enjoy and create your own memories.

Party Picadillo Dip

December 9, 2019

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

25

Ingredients

• 1 lb each of ground beef & ground pork
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 4 peeled & diced medium tomatoes
• 1 small jar chopped pimento
• 3 green onions
• 1 green bell pepper
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 jalapeños w/the seeds removed
• 1 large jar pickled cocktail onions
• 1 box of white raisins (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 tsp each of Accent, paprika, comino, cayenne & oregano
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 medium cans of sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup blanched sliced almonds
• 2 medium cans of sliced black olives
• 1 can beef consommé

Instructions

1. Brown the beef & pork. Once browned add the tomato paste & stir until combined. Add the prepared tomatoes & pimento and simmer.
2. In a food processor, chop the garlic, green onions, bell pepper & jalapeño. In a large pot heat some olive oil & add the chopped vegetables.
3. While the vegetables are getting fragrant, add the cocktail onions to the food processor to chop. Add to the large pot.
4. Add in all the spices and stir to incorporate.
5. Now add the browned meat & tomato mixture to the large pot.
6. Mix in the raisins & beef consommé and let simmer for 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally.
7. Before serving, add in your mushrooms, olives & almonds. Heat through.
8. Serve in a heated chafing dish or a crock pot set on low.
9. Serve with tortilla chips.

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa

Jazz up your holiday celebrations with this amazing hummus! The vibrant color is from a fabulous beetroot ketchup that is delicious on its own. The smoky flavor adds a depth of flavor, making this hummus extra special. Enjoy!

Smoked Beetroot Hummus

November 12, 2019

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

8

Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz) can of garbanzo beans, drained
• 1/4 cup smoked beetroot ketchup (I used Foraging Fox Smoked Beetroot Ketchup)
• 1 heaping TBS tahini paste
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 TBS hemp seeds
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1/4 cup filtered water
• Sliced radishes, rough chopped cilantro, olive oil and hemp seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Place in desired dish and garnish. Serve with chips or as a compliment to other foods.

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa

My family was mesmerized by this magical salsa! You can use it as a dip or sauce. And, it keeps fresh for 3 days (maybe more). During the Plant-Forward Cooking Boot Camp I participated in at The Culinary Institute of America, we made it to go with Barbecued Jackfruit Tacos. The tacos were super spicy, so this salsa served to cool them down. I brought home leftovers and we ate it with grilled chicken and as a salsa for breakfast tacos. Delish!

Tomatillo & Avocado Salsa by The Culinary Institute of America

September 26, 2019

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

12

Notes

Slight changes were made to the original recipe for improved taste.

Ingredients

• 2 jalapeños, stems & seeds removed, and rough chopped
• 10 tomatillos, husks removed, rinsed & quartered
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled & rough chopped
• 1 small white onion, peeled
• 1 small juiced lime
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
• 1 medium avocado, pitted & peeled, and cut into large chunks
• Sea salt, to taste

Instructions

1. In a blender, purée the everything except the cilantro and avocado.
2. Add the cilantro & avocado and briefly blend until slightly course.
3. Taste the mix and add sea salt, as needed.

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa

I found some purple sweet potatoes at the grocery store the other day & had a moment. The hummus ended up being more of a vivid pink, which I think is just gorgeous! It tasted even more G O R G E O U S! Topped it with olive oil, za’atar, sumac, tri-color peppercorns and thyme from my garden!

Purple Sweet Potato Hummus

July 16, 2019

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

8

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cooked purple sweet potato (I baked & then peeled mine)
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 2 TBS hemp hearts
• 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup filtered water (add more, if needed)
• Garnish with olive oil, white, pink & green peppercorns, za’atar & fresh thyme

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients (except garnish) to food processor, and pulse until smooth. You want the consistency to be soft enough to dip a chip in the hummus without breaking.
2. Garnish with additional olive oil and the other recommended spices and herbs.

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa

I’m on a bit of a turmeric kick! This hummus is light, tasty & versatile. Eat it with chips, smear it on a tostada or enjoy it with falafel or kibbeh. Don’t you just love the color?!

Turmeric Hummus

June 2, 2019

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

8

Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz) can of chickpeas, drained
• 1/3 cup tahini paste
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp turmeric
• S & P to taste
• 1/4 cup filtered water
• Sumac, colorful peppercorns, garlic blooms, hemp seeds & olive oil for garnish

Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Place in desired dish and garnish with olive oil & spices of your choice. Serve with grainy chips or as a compliment to other foods. I like this with falafel or kibbeh.

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa

APPETIZERS

Viva Fiesta! This traditional Tex-Mex queso is made with creamy & smooth Kraft velveeta cheese. I like to elevate my “queso” by using fresh tomatoes, onion, jalapeños & a bit of white wine. If you’re a purist, you eat this molten liquid gold, as is, with seasoned tortilla chips. If you are feeling adventurous, you can add a scoop of picadillo or chopped brisket. In our family, we often add cooked & crumbled sausage. Pretty much anything goes! Any way you choose to consume a bowl of this addictive concoction is fine with me! Enjoy!

Tex Mex Chile con Queso

April 23, 2019

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

6

Ingredients

• 1 TBS olive oil
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Sea salt & pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup good dry white wine
• 1 (16 oz) Kraft Velveeta Cheese, cut into chunks
• Serve with seasoned restaurant quality tortilla chips

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and add tomato, onion and jalapeño peppers. Sauté on medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Add garlic and season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking on medium heat. When garlic is fragrant add the wine and deglaze the pan.
2. Lower heat to simmer and add in the chunks of cheese. Stir cheese until melted and incorporated into the vegetable and wine mixture.
3. Pour the chile con queso into a bowl and serve with tortilla chips.

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa

APPETIZERS

We had a quiet Saturday evening ~ I finished baking the flat of Poteet strawberries I purchased this past Tuesday. The hubs cracked open a bottle of cab and grilled these thick slices of ciabatta from one of our local bakeries, The Bread Box. I made this gorgeous spread w/tahini, lemon juice & roasted garlic. Y’all, this ciabatta was crispy on the outside & super moist on the inside ~ perfect brushed w/olive oil & toasted on a hot grill. I got the recipe for this spread from https://www.ful-filled.com

Grilled Ciabatta & Labneh Garlic Spread

March 31, 2019

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

12

Notes

Original recipe found on Instagram from @ful.filled
For the Roasted Garlic: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut head top of each garlic bulb. Wrap in foil, leaving top open. Pour a 2 tsp of olive oil over top & sides. Close the foil so that entire garlic bulb is covered. Placed on a baking sheet. Roast for 30-45 minutes.

Ingredients

• 12 oz labneh or thick Greek yogurt
• 2 - 3 TBS tahini
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 3 cloves roasted garlic, smashed
• Dash salt
• Za’atar, black sesame seeds & olive oil for garnish
• Thick sliced Ciabatta

Instructions

1. Mix labneh or yogurt with tahini, lemon juice, smashed garlic & salt in medium bowl. Transfer to serving bowl and swirl top of spread. Drizzle a bit of olive oil and too with sesame seeds & za’atar.
2. Brush desired number of Ciabatta bread slices with olive oil. Toast bread in a hot grill so that each piece of bread has grill marks.

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa

APPETIZERS

I served this at my Oscar Party for 2 (me & the hubs) & it was a hit! This is the first time I’ve made hummus, so it took a little tweaking as I went along. My version was smooth, creamy and a little tart. I served it with pita chips & was it ever good! I don’t think I will ever be able to go back to store bought hummus ~ seriously! It was that good.

Hummus w/Sundried Tomatoes & Capers

March 6, 2019

by Michelle Sips and Savors

Category APPETIZERS Dip & Salsa

Persons

4

Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz) can chick peas, drained
• 2 garlic cloves, rough chopped
• 1/4 cup tahini
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt
• Filtered water, if needed
• Garnish: Parsley, capers, sundried tomatoes in oil, crunchy chick peas (I used Saffron Road) & olive oil

Instructions

1. Place chick peas in food processor and pulse until smooth. Add remaining ingredients (except garnish) and pulse until combined & smooth. Add a bit of water if the hummus is too thick.
2. Transfer hummus to a serving dish. Garnish with rough chopped parsley & sundried tomatoes, capers & crunchy chick peas. Drizzle with olive oil. Serve with pita chips.

Tags

Appetizers,

dips & salsa