Today being the first year and a day football and basketball games everywhere I updated my antipasto dip recipe. It was more of what was on hand than a concrete idea to improve the dip; however, I believe I did just that.
Therefore, I am presenting to you my new and improved antipasto dip, which my husband Stan enjoys as he watches the games during this first day of the year 2024. Although this dip is traditionally prepared during the Christmas holiday, it is also a great treat during games that are played any time of the year, so as the title of this post states, I have renamed it “Evelyn’s Game Day Antipasto Dip”.
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Evelyn’s Game Day Antipasto Dip
Ingredients
2 pkgs. Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup chopped pepperoni or hard summer sausage
1/2 cup Kraft Italian Five Cheese Blend
1/4 cup chopped black olives
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
1 Tbsp. baked potato topping
4 -6 sprigs fresh oregano chopped
4 -6 sprigs fresh thyme chopped
4 -6 sprigs fresh mint chopped
3 tablespoons sweet onions, finely chopped
6 Tbsp. chopped roasted red peppers, divided
One teaspoon dried potato topping
Platter Mix
Fresh fruit and vegetables of your choice like
Whole strawberries
Apples, slices or wedges
Snack crackers
Red or orange bell pepper, wedges
Celery, sticks
Broccoli, separated flowers
Cauliflower separated flowers
Carrots, sticks or slices
Directions
In a medium bowl, add potato topping, fresh thyme, oregano and basil, pepperoni, Italian five cheeses, sweet onions, olives, and half of the roasted red peppers and stir until blended, then set aside.
In a larger bowl break down the cream cheese with a pastry cutter or potato masher; then add the herbs, pepperoni, cheese and vegetable mixture
Blend all the ingredients in the bowl until thoroughly mixed for about three minutes
After three minutes, scrape the cheese spread out of the bowl on to a serving platter and shape into a football by hand.
Cover football and let chill at least one hour, then remove from refrigerator and top with mint and remaining roasted red peppers
On the platter, surround football with fresh fruits, vegetable and crackers.
Serve to the guys watching the games.
Later, cover leftovers and refrigerate the unused portions for tomorrow’s game.
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Enjoy!
Until next time,
Chow Darlings
Again, Happy New Year!