This macho blue cheese dip is bursting with big bold flavours of smoky-sweet bacon, crumbled bits of tangy blue cheese and toasted walnuts. (Courtesy of The Food Channel)

Blue Cheese & Bacon First Down Dip

From The Kitchens of The Food Channel

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 20 minutes

• Serves: 10

This macho dip requires a thick, sturdy chip! Bursting with big bold flavors of smoky-sweet bacon, crumbled bits of tangy blue cheese and toasted walnuts. Serve it up warm with crunchy kettle-cooked potato chips.

Why try? Craveable, hot and hearty dip recipe takes “chips & dip” to the goal line with the ultimate snack flavor combination.

Foodie Byte: For added convenience, dip can be made ahead, held chilled and baked right before serving (be sure to portion the dip in the container that it will be baked in before refrigerating).

Ingredients

8 slices bacon, chopped

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup (4-oz.) crumbled blue cheese

1/3 cup cream

2 tablespoons minced green onions

1/4 cup toasted walnut pieces

Preparation

• Cook bacon in skillet until crisp, stirring often. Remove from skillet and drain.

• Add garlic to skillet and sauté over low heat for 1 minute.

• Combine cream cheese and cream in food processor bowl or mixer and blend until smooth. Stir in bacon, garlic, crumbled cheese and green onions.

• Portion dip in medium baking dish; bake in preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes. Garnish with toasted walnuts.

• Serve warm dip with kettle cooked potato chips.