Southern Caviar Dip

Our family loves to whip up appetizers – more specifically…yummy dips.
I understand that dips are supposed to be saved for those special occasions, but why wait for special occasions when they are so easy?

I have mastered healthier, low fat options by substituting low fat cheeses, sour cream, and always adding twice as many fresh vegetables (if the recipe calls for it).
While making dips, learning to experiment with flavors has been a fantastic way to encourage my children with their culinary creativity.

We have been spending lots of time with family this week and there is nothing that rekindles memories of yesteryears more than a family recipe. When I first met my husband, I remember being served this Southern caviar dip whenever we would visit. My mother in law has passed away, but the tradition continues as my sister in law always makes this for our family get-togethers. I just found out this week where the recipe originated from decades ago, and how their family began serving it. Do you know the origin of favorite family recipes? If not, find out, and pass the recipe down through the generations…with the story.

Southern Caviar (recipe passed from GA to MN to WI and then to NC)

No guilt with this recipe…just flavor and sheer garden goodness. This did NOT look like a dip I would enjoy when I first saw it, but one bite and I was in love. 🙂

  • Tall can of black eyed peas (rinse and drain)
  • One can of shoe peg corn (drained)
  • 3-4 green onions (chopped)
  • 1/4 onion (chopped..red onion is delicious as well)
  • 1/3 of a green pepper (I love to add yellow and red as well)
  • 2 tomatoes (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup Italian dressing (or more til desired consistency)
  • 2 Tbs chopped jalapenos (or more to taste)

Mix well and chill. Serve with Frito Scoops

Beer Dip

Considering I am in one of the Beer Capitals of the World right now (WI), I wouldn’t be right not to share a true Wisconsin dip. The irony here is that I don’t drink ANY beer – never had, never will and I don’t like the taste one bit. Yet just a dash of beer mixed into this recipe adds an unbelievably unique flavor. It is so yummy, makes a ton for a get together, and whips up really fast! Make it the night before for an even better taste. It will give the spices time to blend.

  • 3 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
  • 1/2 -3/4 can of beer
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

Mix cream cheese, dressing, and beer til you reach your desired creamy consistency. Then mix in 1/2 cup of cheese, leaving the remaining cheese to sprinkle on top.
Serve with pretzels or scoops.

Need more ideas for cooking with large groups? How about taco dip and quick, easy homemade pizza?

Group cooking in a pinch…what do you have in your freezer? Check out my one hour experiment.

I can’t wait to see what everyone is sharing for Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods
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3. Link your post back to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam as a courtesy to me so everyone will know where to find more recipe inspiration.

Tasty Tuesday Parade of Food Participants

1. Alisa-The Sweet Life (10 minute garden fresh meal)
2. Renata (Homemade lime cordial)
3. INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE ME SQUIRM – Kelly the Kitchen Kop
4. Many Little Blessings (Zucchini Raisin Walnut Muffins)
5. Mom2my9 @ 11th Heaven (Roasted Red Pepper Hummus)
6. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates (Blackberry Almond Bruschetta)
7. Heather @ Just Doing My Best (Chicken Pesto Pizza)
8. Homemaker Barbi (Cooking Chicken Outdoors – Smoked)
9. Amanda@CopingWithFrugality (Turkey & Bean Burrito Burger)
10. Faith, Food and Family (Oooey Gooey German Chocolate Brownies)
11. Frugal Girls! {E-Z Freezer Jam!}
12. Kate at Centsational Girl (summer berry preserves)
13. Christine @ becomingp31 (No-Roll Biscuits and Oatmeal Muffins)
14. Kitchen Stewardship (Turkey Chili-Topped Turkey Burgers)
15. Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy (Black Bean Corn Cakes)
16. Inside The White Picket Fence (Berry Muffins)
17. TidyMom (BBQ Ribs)
18. Liz@HoosierHomemade(Harry Potter Cupcakes)
19. Susan (chicken broccoli divan)
20. Amy @ Finer Things (kid-friendly snacks)
21. Amanda @ Serenity Now {Choc. Chunk Oat Bars & a Madeover Housewarming “Gift”}
22. Melissa @ Frugal Creativity (cool cucumber salad)
23. Newlyweds (Jalapeno Jelly)
24. Astrid @ Lopsided (zucchini quiche and cherry pie)
25. Darnold23 @ Dining With Debbie (Kitchen Basics Basil)
26. Daily Essentials – Homemade Croutons!
27. Stacie @ Park Avenue (Lime Tortilla-Crusted Chicken Tenders)
28. Thrifty Teacher- Pepper Rice (not spicy unless you want it to be)
29. Lynn’s Kit Adv (blueberry pound cake)
30. Amy @LivingLocurto (cajun caviar dip)
31. Phillips Phamily Mama (A Makeover)
32. Phillips Phamily Mama (Pesto Crusted Grilled Cheese))
33. Kate @ Stolen Moments (apple jacks cereal cookies)
34. Pam (authentic greek salad)
35. Sara (marinated London Broil)
36. Tara @ Feels like home (garlic scapes)
37. Joy in My Kitchen (Gluten-Free Brownies)
38. Melissa @ Mom’s Plans (BLT Pasta Salad)
39. Sonshine(aunt nellies best ever muffins)
40. DarcyLee (Sticky Chicken)
41. Lisa (sweet tea)
42. Christi @ A SOUTHERN LIFE (banana recipes)
43. Jane@Frugal Fine Living (Baked Blueberry French Toast)
44. Kristen (banana coffee cake)
45. Cents to Get Debt Free (Tri-Color Bread Braid)
46. Cate @ Budget Confessions (beans and cornbread)
47. mub (no roll pie crust)
48. dreamer (teriyaki chicken)
49. Katie (fajita & club salads)
50. Angela’s hubby Derek
51. Comfy Cook (Western style cornbread)
52. Natalie with A Touch of Country FRUIT PIZZA
53. jacobi (peanut butter chocolate cookies)
54. Carol @ Joy in the Journey
55. Charlene @ Secrets of a Southern Kitchen (baked chicken and rice)
56. Kelli @ SustainingCreativity (Recipe for Beauty)
57. Kara (Fiery Chicken Salad)
58. It’s Frugal Being Green (Grasshopper Pie)
59. Julie@Come Have a Peace (steak marinade)
60. Geri@heartnsoulcooking
61. Jessica (Homemade Banana Nut Bread)
62. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet (Triple Chocolate Ice Cream)
63. Joy @FrugalMenuMamas
64. The Working Home Keeper (Soaked Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins)
65. Prairie Cottage Rose (Civil War Pancakes)
66. Easy Oven Baked Fiesta Chicken (Penny Pinching Diva)
67. Tracey @ Girls to Grow (Chicken Spaghetti)
68. Alea @ Premeditated Leftovers (peanut butter fudge)
69. Tami

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