7 Layer Italian Hero Dip Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the ricotta, sour cream, chile paste, oregano and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in the bowl of a food processor. Puree until smooth. Remove to a medium bowl. In the same food processor, combine the beans, pesto, 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice and 3/4 teaspoons of the salt. Puree until smooth. Spread the bean mixture on the bottom of an 8-inch baking dish. Pour the ricotta mixture on top and spread evenly.
• Sprinkle the Parmesan over the ricotta. Sprinkle the arugula over the cheese layer. Sprinkle the sun-dried tomatoes and olives over the top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Just before serving, toss the avocado with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice and spread evenly on the top. Serve with pita chips and celery sticks.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crostini: Lay the baguette slices on a baking sheet. Brush with the oil and then sprinkle with the salt, garlic powder and some fresh pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Remove the crostini from the oven and set aside. Turn the oven to broil.
• For the dip: In medium bowl, combine the ricotta with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until fully combined, then transfer to an 8-by-8-inch pan, spreading the mixture evenly across the bottom. Set aside.
• In a large pan with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, and sweat for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the halved grape tomatoes, chicken stock and garlic and bring to a boil; cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the tomatoes have softened and the mixture has thickened, about 15 minutes.
• While the tomatoes are cooking, add the sausage to a saute pan over high heat. Break up sausage with a wooden spoon and cook it through. When the sausage is finished, spoon it directly over the ricotta and spread it out evenly.
• When the tomatoes are done, spoon them over the sausage layer. Top the tomato layer with the sliced pepperoncini, marinated artichokes and roasted peppers. Place the halved ciliegine on top.
• Place the dip under the broiler and broil on high heat until the cheese has browned slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the dip from the broiler and top with the basil. Serve immediately with the crostini.

Steps:

• For the lamb: In a large pan on medium heat, add the olive oil. When it begins to swirl, add the onion, garlic, oregano, lamb, salt and plenty of black pepper. Combine the ingredients, breaking up the lamb while cooking, until it is browned, about 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Layer the dip. In an 8-inch square dish, layer in this order: Spread the hummus on the bottom, then sprinkle evenly with the lamb, feta, tomatoes and cucumbers. Spread the tzatziki dip over the top and sprinkle with the dill to finish. Serve with the pita chips.

Steps:

• You'll need a 2-quart bowl or small trifle dish for these dips. Scoop them out with a big spoon; each dip serves about 8.
• Lettuce
• Combine 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce with 1 thinly sliced celery stalk and 2 chopped scallions; toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Corn Relish
• Add 1 cup, drained.
• Paprika Dressing
• Whisk 1/2 cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1 1/2 teaspoons each whole-grain mustard and Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika.
• Pickles
• Finely chop about 3/4 cup.
• Smoked Ham Steak
• Finely chop about 8 ounces.
• Egg Salad
• Separate the whites and yolks of 3 hard-boiled eggs. Mash the yolks, then mix with 1 tablespoon each sour cream and chopped dill, and 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard; season with salt and pepper. Chop the whites and mix them in.
• Pimento Cheese
• Combine 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 3 tablespoons chopped pimentos, 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1/8 teaspoon paprika; season with pepper.