How to Make Creamy Italian Parmesan Dip

Need an easy side-dish to take to your next big event? Or an easy appetizer when guests arrive out of the blue? Try my easy Creamy Italian Parmesan Dip. It's a tasty option to combine with toasted slices of bread, bread bowls, crackers, chips, or fresh vegetables. While the Parmesan and Italian spice can be potent flavors, with a little modification, the Chef can make these elements as strong or as subtle as he or she likes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• sour cream
• cream cheese
• parmesan cheese
• italian spice
• salt

1. Wash your hands and prepare your work space. Set all your ingredients out.

2. Zap the cream cheese in the microwave to soften it up. Make sure all zapping takes place in a microwave safe container (no metal). You will need one part cream cheese to two parts sour cream.

3. Whisk the sour cream and the cream cheese together until uniform in texture. Whisk in parmesan to taste, then Italian spice, then salt. I also like to add black or red pepper for a little punch.

4. Enjoy on crackers, fresh vegetables, or even spread on in place of mayonnaise in a sandwich.

Tips & Warnings

• To cut down fat, light cream cheese and sour cream may be used. There are also reduced fat parmesan mixes, or less parmesan may be used to reduce the fat in this dip.
• This dip makes a great salad dressing with the addition of some water, oil, and a little vinegar.
• This dip combines really well with fresh or roasted vegetables, grilled meats, as a sandwich spread, or with crackers and chips.
• Plain yogurt may be substituted for sour cream in this recipe.
• If you prefer, this recipe is even simpler with a food processor to blend all ingredients. No melting of the cream cheese required.
• Too much dip, even with fresh vegetables, is not healthy.
• This is not a dip for the lactose intolerant.