Family Favorite

When we were younger we made this for lunch almost every Sunday. People would wander in and eat some, then leave. Or sit down and eat half the dip and make more for everyone else. HAHA. It is super quick and easy AND delish. Oh, and don't mind the name... If you know my family, it won't really surprise you that our favorite snack is called:

FREAK DIP
Ingredients:

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 can refried beans
• 1 can chili
• grated cheddar cheese
• sour cream
• tortilla chips

Directions:

1. Spread the cream cheese in the bottom of a medium/small glass casserole dish. Spread the refried beans over the cream cheese. Spread the chili over the refried beans. Sprinkle a generous amount of cheese over the chili.
2. Place in the microwave for about 3-5 minutes, depending on your microwave... The point is to get it heated all the way through and have the cheese completely melty-gooey on top.
3. Spread sour cream over the cheese and eat with tortilla chips! Oh SO GOOD.

Cheese please!

Fondue

Ingredients:

• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup apple juice
• 3 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated **other cheese
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• Optional:  1/2 cup chopped green onion, 1/2 cup grated carrot

dip-ins

• Toasted French bread cubes
• Sliced and cooked Kielbasa sausage
• Steamed broccoli
• Fried potatoes
• Fried or steamed squash
• Peppers

Directions:

1. Rub the cut-side of the garlic sections on the inside of your fondue pot, throw the garlic away and set the pot aside.
2. In a large saucepan melt the butter over medium low heat.  Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, until bubbly--about 3-4 minutes. 
3. Stir in the liquids, increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. 
4. As soon as it starts to bubble and is starting to thicken, reduce the heat to low and stir for a few more minutes until it has thickened nicely. 
5. Stir in the cheese and keep stirring until the cheese has melted.  Stir in the rest of the ingredients. 
6. Pour into your fondue pot and keep warm.

**other cheese. This can be whatever cheese you want! Some of our favorites are:

• 3/4 c. smoked Gouda + 1/4 c. swiss
• 3/4 c. swiss + 1/4 c. fresh Parmesan
• 3/4 c. pepper cheese + 1/4 c. garlic cheese (Tilamook cheeses)
• 3/4 c. pepper jack + 1/4 c. Parmesan
• 1 c. swiss
• 1 c. parmesan