Cold Taco Dip

Ingredients (can be halved and made in an 8x8 dish)

2 8 oz packages of softened cream cheese

16 oz sour cream

2 package taco seasoning mix (since I make my own, I use 6-7 tablespoons of that) *** recipe below

shredded lettuce (too lazy to cut it, I buy it like that and do a quick rough chop of it. 

sliced grape tomatoes 

sliced black olives

finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese

***Homemade taco seasoning
1 tbs chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper


Mix together and use 3 tablespoons for a packet.  I typically make a large amount and store in an airtight glass container.

Directions

Cream together cream cheese, sour cream and taco mix. I do this in a mixer so I don't have to actually mix it but I did it by hand for years. 

Spread mixture in a 9x11 cake pan. 

Sprinkle with a bit of cheese, arrange tomatoes and olives to your liking, add some lettuce and some more cheese. Punctuate with tomatoes and olives. 

Serve with chips or veggies.  

My friend Melissa was the first person I knew to serve food at a party - she was doing it even when we were in high school and just wanted to throw down some gross beers we managed to secure from sources that shall remain nameless. The rest of us didn't really get the memo that a proper gathering has good snacks until years later. I always associate this type of dip with her.

This is legitimately one of the easiest apps known to man. Perfect to throw together quickly for a last minute gathering. You can add salsa, refried beans, taco meat, etc. to this dip to make it more complicated, but I like to keep it simple.
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Haikuesday

Apps are where it's at.
Chips and dip - three magic words.
Pass me a plate please. 

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