Again last weekend, we were trying to hold out until our “Sunday Evening Grill Fest” but we definitely needed a snack between breakfast and our grilled chicken dinner. (Our last midday appetizer experiment was the Great Northern Bean Dip.)
Luckily, the Sunday paper featured a story about the NW Arkansas Cheese Dip Classic which leads up to the World Cheese Dip Championship. Who knew? I just know that we may have to make a road trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas next weekend!
So, these festivals and championship are not about day-glo colored liquid cheese out of a can or jar. Oh, no. The tend to be a bit fancier and more gourmet (and have a cult-like following).
Case in point: This recipe was printed in the paper along with the Cheese Dip Championship article and I made it for our midday Sunday snack. OMG! You can’t just take one bite of this stuff. Seriously, it is addictive. I finally had to hide the Wheat Thins (and then we resorted to just using spoons and eating it out of the food processor!)
Avocado Goat Cheese Dip
Printed in the Tulsa World (April 29, 2012), courtesy of Libbie Summers, FoodNetwork.com.
Slightly adapted by me.3 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
3 T. fresh lime juice
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t. ground coriander
1/4 t. fine sea salt
4 oz. 1/3 less fat cream cheese
4 oz. goat cheese
pinch of smoked paprikaPlace avocados and lime juice in a food processor and process until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients (sans the paprika) and mix well.
Whir it up until smooth.
Place in serving dish and sprinkle with smoked paprika. Serve with baked chips, Wheat Thins, or (as the original recipe suggests), toasted pita triangles.
If you need more of cheese fix, check out this video: In Queso Fever: A Movie About Cheese Dip. (This short video is hilarious AND sheds a lot of light on the queso phenomenon.)
Please leave me a comment regarding cheese dip. Is it indigenous to your area? Have you ever heard of it? More importantly, what’s your favorite?
Also, Happy May Day!
Cheese, cheese and more cheese … that’s my motto. Cheese is probably my most favorite food and this looks quite tasty. My hubby would not go near this but I could probably eat all of it, anyway, so no worries.
Happy May Day!!!
Have *I* heard of queso?
Ummm, yes, girl. In fact, I’d rather eat queso than cake.
Can you EVEN imagine being a judge in the world cheese dip contest???
Mmmmmm…this looks darn tasty! I have done the spoon thing, too…a sure sign of a fabulous recipe!
Nothing makes me happier than a cheesy dish 😀
What a great way to celebrate the first of may 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
OK, guys, you have to watch that video. It is hilarious. I had no idea that cheese dip was such a regional favorite. I was with Jen with “who doesn’t like or hasn’t heard of queso”!
Do we need to start a cheese lovers club (to go along with the cheese dip championship)!?!
I do love cheese dips–any kind, any time! This dip look delish, we do avocados so this would be a hit at our home. We’re still trying to find the perfect queso dip, I have a couple pinned that I need to try.
I never met a cheese dip I didn’t like! Let me know if you ever find the perfect queso!
Cheese dip…well, no, I guess the only sort of cheese we do for “dip” is cheese balls or the kind of cheese dip that is hot and liquidy, usually mixed with Rotel and possibly hamburger or sausage. I’ve never had one like this that is actually like a non hot, non-cheeseball type dip. Glad this one turned out so well for you!
A lot of people around here call that rotel cheese dip “queso” which is a little annoying since that just means “cheese” in spanish, but they are giving it a new meaning by identifying that dip as “queso” when it barely even has any real cheese in it (Velveeta! I guess it’s almost cheese-lol) I do love that stuff, though. yum.
“cheese dip is the national food of Arkansas.” lol (I’m watching that video right now)
without an interview, I had no specific denial! (of the euphoric drugs in Velveeta) haha that might explain it.
Nachos are low class! Look who’s talking! hahahahaha
I’m sorry, I just love that Arkansas Times guy–he’s so fun to listen to but he’s almost repulsive at the same time. Something about him makes me recoil and lean forward simultaneously. lol
Again, you kill me! This is a great video. I love the “tongue-in-cheek” humor and the “seriousness” or the topic.
Totally-it was great!
OMG you know I’m a cheese freak and love avocados…I’m having a fit right now, I want some. I’m saving this for my next snack attack!
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this is genius! avocado and goat cheese together? just brilliant!
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