Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip Appetizer

Bake Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip appetizer in four small baking dishes, and place throughout the party area.

Ingredients:

• 7 bacon slices, chopped 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 
• 1/3 cup half-and-half
• 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted
• Grape clusters
• Flatbread or assorted crackers

Directions:

1. Cook chopped bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat 10 minutes or until crisp. Drain bacon, and set aside. Add minced garlic to skillet, and sauté 1 minute.
2. Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add half-and-half, beating until combined. Stir in bacon, garlic, blue cheese, and chives. Spoon mixture evenly into 4 (1-cup) individual baking dishes.
3. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Sprinkle evenly with chopped walnuts, and serve with grape clusters and flatbread or assorted crackers.

Southern Living
DECEMBER 2004