At A Bit on the Side we are all about food, fun and family in both our business and home.  We just love family gatherings...the more the merrier!  What's more, some of our friends really are part of our family - God help them!  Our home is always, always about the people in it and taking care of them.  Doesn't matter one bit if the place is a mess (and that's hardly going to change at this stage) as long as we have a good fire going and something tasty and nourishing to offer.

Dips are one of those delectable morsels that my family just love - whether it's just myself and himself watching a movie on a Saturday night with a few tipples or the whole clan is descending upon us for the evening.  What I love about dips is that you can really pack the veggies into the diet without one word of protest - even from the one that claims they will go into anaphylactic shock if they eat anything that comes from the ground! 

You can use any cream cheese...no need to spend a fortune as they are all smooth and creamy enough to blend perfectly with the Red Jalapeno Jelly.  Just make sure it is at room temperature or it won't merge properly with the Red Jalapeno Jelly.  

As regards the bacon, you can use smoked or unsmoked...smoked adds an extra layer of flavor (my favorite is maple smoked).  I really do try to source a natural bacon with no additives, particularly nitrites.  Naked Bacon from Finnebrogue is absolutely delicious and nitrite-free...we love their smoked back bacon.  The fat just melts into the meat and gives a fantastic flavor and texture to any recipe.

Our cheddar of choice would have to be an extra mature white cheddar - man...that flavor!!!

You can also use A Bit on the Side Green Jalapeno Jelly in this recipe - it has a  fresher, crisper taste than the Red Jalapeno Jelly... whatever floats your boat.

Red Jalapeno Cheese Dip with Bacon

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Category

Dips/Appetizers

Servings

10

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Calories

218

A delicious, moorish dip hitting all the right spots - hot, sweet, salty, smoky, creamy and crunchy.  A crowd pleaser for sure...serve at family gatherings, BBQs, drop-in visits, cozy nights in.  Everyone from toddlers to the well matured will love dipping crackers, chips and Crudités into this molten magic.  Crudités are known as small pieces of raw veggies in my house, or as one of the little sweeties used to call pieces of broccoli 'trees' as in 'I don't eat trees'.

Author:

Hilary McGrath

Ingredients

• 8 oz Cream Cheese

  
  

• 4 oz Grated Cheddar Cheese

• 4 oz Bacon

• 1 Jar A Bit on the Side Red Jalapeno Jelly

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350c 

2. Beat cream cheese until smooth

3. Mix in grated cheddar cheese 

4. Add 1/2 jar A Bit on the Side Red Jalapeno Jelly and blend well with cheeses

5. Pour into a small baking dish 

6. Lay bacon on a baking tray

7. Place dish and tray with bacon in oven and cook for 20 mins until cheese mixture is hot and bubbly

8. Remove from oven

   
   

9. Melt remaining Red Jalapeno Jelly in microwave for approx. 20 seconds and pour over cheese mixture

   
   

10. Crumble bacon and sprinkle over top of cheese/jelly mixture

11. Serve with crudités, crackers or chips  

Recipe Note

A well chilled, crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio and you are all set!

Nutrition

Calories 218, Fat 16.4 grams, Carbs 8.7 grams, Fiber 0.1 grams, Protein 8.8 grams, Sodium 403 milligrams, Fiber 0.1 grams, Protein 8.8 grams, Carbs 8.7 grams