super bowl...of chili cheese dip?

Unless you are a big Steelers or Seahawks fan or are throwing a ton of money into the odds of your favored team to win, this year's Super Bowl will be just another excuse to hang with your best pals over some brewskies and good food. I'm in the latter group. So in the spirit of good food, here are some recipes you may find to be just as entertaining as this year's big game:

Dijon Cheddar Bacon Spread
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 3 hr 15 min
Makes: 1-1/2 cups or 12 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 5 crackers each

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup ( 4 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 Tbsp. GREY POUPON Dijon Mustard
3 Tbsp. OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits
3 Tbsp. sliced green onions, divided
RITZ Crackers

BEAT cream cheese and shredded cheese in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
STIR in mustard, bacon and 2 Tbsp. of the onions. Transfer to serving bowl,
if desired; cover.
REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled. Let stand at
room temperature 30 min. before serving. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 Tbsp.
onions. Serve with the crackers.

Ultimate 7-Layer Dip
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 3 hr 10 min
Makes: 48 servings, 2
Tbsp. dip and 14 chips each

1 can (16 oz.) TACO BELL HOME ORIGINALS Refried Beans
1 Tbsp. TACO BELL HOME ORIGINALS Taco Seasoning Mix
1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1 cup TACO BELL HOME ORIGINALS Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Cheese
1/2 cup sliced green onions
2 Tbsp. sliced pitted ripe olives
RITZ Chips Original or WHEAT THINS Baked Snack Crackers

MIX beans and taco seasoning mix. Spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate or quiche dish.
LAYER all remaining ingredients except chips over bean mixture; cover.
Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
SERVE with chips.

Another delicious, easy recipe that is a guaranteed hit is the Hot Ham N' Cheese croissants that I listed a few posts back.

Good luck and GO EAGLES! Don't worry...we'll be back with a vengeance in 2006!