9-Layer Taco Dip (Vegetarian)

This recipe is for a 9-layer taco dip.  It is my first time making it.  I used a traditional 7 layer dip recipe and adjusted it to suit my tastes and what I had on-hand.  The end result is a delicious appetizer with many delicious flavors working together.  Enjoy!

9-Layer Taco Dip (Vegetarian)

Ingredients

¨            1 can vegetarian refried beans

¨            1 can black beans

¨            1 container of sour cream

¨            1 block of cream cheese, softened

¨            1 pack of taco seasoning of your choice

¨            2 ripe avocados

¨            1 can corn

¨            1 jar salsa of your choice

¨            ¼ cup sliced green onions

¨            2 cups Mexican cheese

¨            ¼ cup sliced black olives

 

Directions

1.    In 9” square glass pan, spread layer of refried beans on bottom of pan.

2.   Add layer of drained, rinsed black beans

3.   In separate bowl, combine sour cream, cream cheese and ½ of the taco seasoning.  Stir to mix.  Spread over the beans to make the 3^rd layer.

4.   Spread salsa over the sour cream mixture.

5.   In separate bowl, mix avocado and rest of the taco seasoning.  Spread over salsa to make the 5^th layer.

6.   Spread green onions over avocado, this is your 6^th layer.

7.   Spread can of corn over green onions. (layer 7)

8.   Spread cheese over top of serving dish. (layer 8)

9.   Spread layer of black olives over cheese. (layer 9)

10. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set dish, serve with tortilla chips

Overall

This is a great dish to bring to a party.  Everybody likes it and its simple to throw together. Next time I might skip the avocado if they are not on sale.  Great combination of flavors.

Frugality

This is not my cheapest dish to make.  The sour cream was $2.50, the beans were 2 for $3, the cream cheese was $1.29, taco seasoning was $.79, the avocados were $.80 each, the corn was $.89, the salsa was $2, the green onions were $1, the black olives were $1 and the cheese was $2.50.  The total for this dish is $16.57.

Look Forward To

I have a broccoli to use and a craving for pasta with red sauce.

National Honey Month

According to http://www.honey.com/, September is National Honey Month.  To celebrate (and give us a reason to get together and share good food), a friend of mine hosted a “honey party” this Sunday.  Guests brought a honey-infused dish of their choice.  Being the overachiever that I am, I brought 2 dishes to share.  I found the original recipes on www.allrecipes.com and am publishing the altered, finished product recipes that I used.

Honey and Feta Dip

Ingredients

• 1 (6 ounce) package crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tub reduced calorie cream cheese
• 1 cup honey
• Crackers for serving

Directions

1. Combine ingredients in medium sized bowl.  Stir to mix and serve with apple slices and crackers of your choice.

Overall

Delicious!   Great combination of flavors.  I especially liked to dip whole wheat crackers in this mixture. 

Frugality

The feta cheese was about $3, the cream cheese was about $2 on sale and I had the honey on hand.  I got the crackers for $2.  For $7 this is a great party food that I will definitely make again!

Honey Brie Spread

Ingredients

• 1 (14 ounce) round Brie cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1 1/2 cups honey
• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
• Apple slices for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Unwrap the wheel of Brie, and crescent rolls.
2. Unroll the crescent roll dough, and wrap around the Brie. Make sure to press seams together to seal in the cheese or you will have a mess on your hands. Place in a 9 inch round pie pan. Sprinkle pecan halves over the top, and drizzle honey over the whole thing.
3. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown and cheese is soft. Serve with apple slices.

Overall

Another great recipe.  Next time I make it I will be more careful to seal all the seams of the crescent roll so the cheese doesn't get out of the brioche.  The honey sweetened the Brie and the crescent roll created a nice texture.

Frugality

The Brie was $6 at Costco, the nuts were $3 but I still have almost a whole bag left, the honey was on-hand and the pre-sliced apples were $3.  For $12, this is a great indulgent appetizer that all of the guests at the party enjoyed.