I'm not really a football fan, but I am a fan of the tradition of gathering together and enjoying all manner of snacks and small bites. So, in the spirit of camaraderie that brings fans of all kinds together, I'm offering a warm, cheesy dip that will have everyone cheering:
Now, whether you are just having friends over for snacks and conversation or planning a gathering for game day, you'll want to serve this dip warm. If you happen to have a warming plate that you can plug in to keep it warm, that would be ideal. However, given how quickly it's gone when I've made it in the past, that might be more planning than you need! I've found I have a bigger problem with keeping folks from burning their mouths because they won't let it cool a little bit than issues with the dip getting too cool because people aren't eating it fast enough. Either way, enjoy the big game, board game night, er … company!
Hot Sriracha Cheese Dip
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1-2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce, adjust to taste
- 6 ounces Monterrey jack cheese, shredded
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Beat the cream cheese with a mixer until smooth. Add the ranch dressing and stir again. Add the garlic powder and Sriracha, starting with just a couple teaspoons and tasting before adding more. Add about 2/3 of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine and then transfer to a small baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the baking dish. Bake for 15-17 minutes, until it is bubbling and slightly browned around the edges. Allow the dip to cool for a few minutes before serving with thick tortilla chips.
- Yields: About 3 cups of dip
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes