Ted's Montana Grill Creamy Ranch Onion Dip

Our FAVORITE appetizer at Ted's Montana Grill is their Chip & Dip. I found this knock-off recipe online, supplied by their corporate chef. So delicious!

Ted's Montana Grill Creamy Ranch Onion Dip

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2 c. reduced-fat mayo

2 c. reduced-fat sour cream
1 c. sliced green onions (1 bunch cut into 1/8" TINY pieces, save some for garnish)
2 Tbsp. ranch dressing mix (1 packet)
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
Freshly ground black pepper (for garnish)

In a mixing bowl, combine mayo, sour cream, green onions, ranch mix and Tabasco.
Whisk until smooth.
Refrigerate until ready to use. May be made up to 2 days ahead.
When ready to serve, garnish with remaining green onion and freshly ground black pepper.
Serve with veggies or potato chips (like Kettle brand chips).

Pomegranate Salsa

Here's the yummy salsa Mom made at Thanksgiving and at the Rogers Birthday/Christmas Party! 

Pomegranate Salsa

2 pomegranates (peel under water to prevent staining clothes)
2 avocadoes, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
2 tomatoes (I use 4-5 Roma tomatoes--they're not as juicy)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground coriander (I used less than 1 tsp.)
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper (I used less than 1/4 tsp.)

Mix all together and serve with scooped tortilla or corn chips.

Pumpkin Fluff Dip

A friend (thanks, Gena!) told me about this recipe... and it sounded so delicious, I couldn't wait to try it!  While Mom was in town, we whipped it up - it sure didn't disappoint!

Pumpkin Fluff Dip

1 5-oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
1 15-oz. (small) can solid pack pumpkin
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 16-oz. container Cool Whip

In a large bowl, mix together pudding mix, pumpkin, and spice.
Fold in Cool Whip.
Chill in the refrigerator until serving.

For serving, you can dish it up in a bowl, or for a more festive display, clean out a pie pumpkin and serve it inside the pumpkin.
Serve with graham crackers, Nilla Wafers, apple slices, gingersnaps, etc. for dipping.
Yum, yum!

Pickle Roll-Ups

I had a co-worker who used to bring these in all the time... I wanted to remember them for the next time I'm serving appetizers.  So yummy!
I'm posting it as she described, but I'm sure other brands/types can be substituted for the same effect.

Pickle Roll-Ups

1 package thick cut, rectangle shaped ham

1 jar Clausen dill pickles

1 brick softened cream cheese

Toothpicks

Pat dry the ham and pickle with a paper towel.  

Spread softened cream cheese over ham. 

Roll the pickle in the ham. 

Lay seam side down in dish and refrigerate overnight. 

In the morning, put in the toothpicks and cut each ''log'' into pieces, 1 toothpick per piece.

Pico de Gallo

Because it's that good, it deserves its own post!  (Plus, it'll be easier to find later.)

Pico de Gallo

1 c. diced tomatoes (remove seeds)
1/3 c. diced red onion
1 diced jalapeno (at least a Tbsp, but more if you prefer)
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
2 limes, juiced (about 1/3 c.)
1 Tbsp. cilantro, plus extra for garnish
Salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
Refrigerate to keep chilled.

Strawberry Yogurt Fruit Dip

This one is Kristen's personal favorite!

Strawberry Yogurt Fruit Dip

8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed
16 oz. strawberry yogurt
1 c. fresh strawberries, mashed
fresh fruit

Combine Cool Whip with strawberry yogurt.
Add fresh strawberries, and mix well.
Serve as dip with fresh fruit.

Makes 5 c.

Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Dip

I made this dip over the weekend...  soooo good!  Definitely a hit with our resident pizza lover!  (As seen on Noble Pig.)

Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Dip

3/4 c. chopped pepperoni
1 can (15 oz.) pizza sauce
4 green onions, finely chopped
1 can (2-1/4 oz.) sliced black olives, drained (opt. - I left it out)
1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1-1/4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) refrigerated breadstick dough
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 tsp. minced parsley

In a heavy pot, over medium heat, combine pepperoni, (sliced olives), green onions, oregano and pizza sauce.
Cook until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
Add cream cheese and mozzarella cheese.
Stir until melted and mixture is well combined.
Turn heat to low while preparing the breadsticks.
Stir occasionally.

Remove breadsticks from tube and cook according to package directions.
When breadsticks are finished baking, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with parsley.

Serve warm.

Avocado Feta Cheese Dip

1 Avocado

3 Roma Tomatoes, Diced

4 oz. Feta Cheese, Crumbled

1/4 to 1/2 Red Onion, Chopped

1 tsp. Fresh Oregano (dried works as well)

1 tsp. Fresh Parsley

1 Tbl. Olive Oil

1 Tbl. Red Wine Vinegar

1/2 Lime, Juiced

1 clove Garlic, Minced

Pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Chill and serve with tortilla chips.