Vermont Cheddar Dip Recipes

Steps:

• Grate the cheddar cheese while very chilled, but then let the grated cheese get back to room temperature. In the bowl of a food processor, whirl the cheese, butter, mustard, sherry and cayenne pepper until smooth and creamy
• Transfer to a mixing bowl, cover and refrigerate until needed. (You can do 2 weeks before serving.) Remove from refrigerator 1 hour before serving; fold in the nuts and repack into four 1 cup ramekins of crocks. Dust with chives for garnish
• Serve with crackers, or a crunchy vegetable like celery or fennel or jicama.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 4 minutes. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, 4 minutes. Continue to whisk; pour in milk in a slow, steady stream. Simmer over medium heat, whisking, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Stir in cayenne and mustard. Gradually whisk in cheese; whisk until melted.
• Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and Worcestershire. Stir in crabmeat and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a 1-quart ovenproof dish.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter; stir into bread pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange bread mixture over crab dip. Bake until heated through and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand at room temperature 10 minutes. Serve with baguette slices.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium over proof bowl, such as a Pyrex dish, mix arthichoke hearts, mayonnaise, green chiles, cheddar cheese and 1/2 C parmesan cheese. (Can be made two to three days ahead. Just cover and refrigerate.) Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with baguette slices or chips. If you want to kick it up a notch, add one or two small chopped jalapeno peppers. Or substitute the jalapeno peppers for the green chilies.