Carpet Picnic

Welcome! If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed so you won't miss the Blarties (=blog+party) on the weekends. To find out more about our Blarties check out this post, too. Looking forward to seeing you on the weekends!

Fall is less than a month away (the calendar says), so nears the season for tailgate parties, Monday Night Football, and all new, prime time television episodes. Once the new TV lineup is underway, one night during the week will be designated in our living room as “TV Night”. We retire in front of the idiot tube and become couch potatoes to watch our favorite shows. TIVO makes it possible to do this on OUR schedule.

TV Night constitutes a Carpet Picnic complete with TV trays, paper plates, and appetizers, aka “junk food”. The norm for this junk food buffet consists of our own house version of a sausage & cheese, e.g. turkey polish sausage, sliced, grilled in a skillet, then sprinkled with dry BBQ seasoning, an assortment of cheeses, and pickles; occasionally, some imitation crab meat, and always, baked chips with a BIG bowl of Meat/Meatless Lovers Dip, served HOT!

The choice of meat or meat substitute for this concoction is up to you, as Paula Deen would say, “Make it your own.” I have made this dip using various combinations and substitutions and “It’s all good!” You don’t have to be a meat lover, vegetarian, or like spinach to absolutely LOVE this recipe, trust me.

Meat / Meatless Lover’s Dip

12 Ounce package frozen Morningstar Veggie Crumbles*
1 Can Rotel® Original
10 Ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and water squeezed out
8 Ounce package fat free cream cheese, softened
8 Ounces reduced fat sour cream
1 Cup shredded sharp cheese, 2% variety
1 Teaspoon garlic powder
4-5 green onions, chopped

Coat a large non-stick skillet or saucepan with cooking spray. Add veggie crumbles and green onion; heat thoroughly on medium-high, stir to prevent any sticking. Next, add garlic powder, Rotel®, spinach, sour cream, and cream cheese; reduce heat to medium, cook and stir occasionally until hot throughout and cream cheese is melted. Add cheddar cheese and cook another minute or two until all the cheese is melted and dip is well blended. Serve warm with your favorite chips or crackers. It also makes a great baked potato topping!

*Substitutions: Meat lovers substitute one pound of ground turkey sausage, or your favorite variety; just be sure to drain the fat, no need to spray your pan. After draining fat, add 2 tablespoons of water, cook for one minute then begin adding the rest of the ingredients. If you are preparing vegetarian style, you can also substitute one 20oz. can of Worthington Vegetarian Burger, or a package of Gimme Lean Sausage in place of the veggie crumbles.

Bon Appetite
The Backseat Gourmet

Popularity: 25% [?]