So how’s everyone doing on their New Year’s resolutions? If this blog is any indication with the Million Dollar Dip, below? Me? Probably not so great. But hey, it was the Super Bowl last week and I felt like I “had” to make this dip. 🙂 As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, there are many occasions I “have” to make this dip! It’s pretty popular when I do and it always goes fast.
Million Dollar Dip
Now you might know Million Dollar Dip under one of its aliases. It’s the dip of many names: Million Dollar Dip aka ABC Dip, aka Neiman Marcus Dip, aka One Million Dollar Dip. Well, you get the idea. It’s been a passed around tried and true dip for decades.
About Million Dollar Dip:
What IS it? Million Dollar Dip is a handful of ingredients that meld together into one glorious taste explosion. My Million Dollar dip has mayonnaise (and I always add a little cream cheese, just to improve the texture) green onions, just for a bit of freshness, Cheddar cheese, bacon, and almonds. The sometimes name of ABC Dip comes from Almond, Bacon & Cheddar. I don’t know if this dip was ever served at Neiman Marcus or where the name Million Dollar came from. If you’re not from the States, Neiman Marcus is a higher-end department store, so the name has some cache and gets attached to recipes sometimes, and of course, it’s the same with the word “Million.”
I gotta tell you this dip is good enough to be served at Neiman Marcus, That Neiman Marcus thing is funny, though. An awful lot of recipes are credited to them including Cowboy Caviar (I have a fab recipe for Cowboy Caviar, btw) and the Famous $250.00 Chocolate Chip Cookie (that I still need to make and post here on my site!) If you haven’t heard that Chocolate Chip Cookie tale, I’ll send you over to Eater to get their view on that Cookie Story. I guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
But back to the Million Dollar Dip. There is one thing about it I really feel I need to mention. While the Million Dollar Dip is perfectly good the first day and I’m sure you’re gonna love it, this is an ideal make-ahead recipe. The next day Million Dollar Dip really shines. Everything comes together in some kind of magical alchemy. So if you do have time to make the Million Dollar Dip ahead, go for it!
Buffet Style Oven Baked Bacon
Making Million Dollar Dip:
Even though it’s not an original ingredient, I always add a touch of cream cheese to add just a little substance to the dip, and it’s a little trick I use when I make a lot of my dips. Make sure to take your cream cheese out ahead so it’s nice and soft. If you forget, put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
With so few ingredients, a good bacon is important. In a pinch, you could use bacon bits, the real ones, or the precooked bacon you can buy at the store. Not to be judgemental, but I’d say don’t even bother if you’re going to use those dry bits from the jar unless you’re really desperate! Hey, it could happen, being that desperate for this dip.
Since this recipe calls for 8 strips of bacon it’s worthwhile pulling out a sheet tray and baking it. See my post on Buffet Style Hotel Bacon for instructions. Baking that bacon just makes everything so much easier. There is no-fuss, no mess, no spatter and very little clean up when you bake your bacon; line your sheet tray with foil, let the drippings cool and solidify a bit (unless you save them) wad up the foil and dispose of safely. The bacon, cooked this way, also is easy to stack up and chop because it cooks up so evenly. For best results, I like to cook the bacon to the point it’s crispy but still a little bendy rather than completely dry and rendered all the way through.
As far as the Cheddar, I’ll leave that up to you. I like a good, sharp Cheddar but I don’t see any reason to go over the top pricey since it’s combined with so many ingredients; a grocery store one is fine by me in this dip. If you’re not into something sharp, just buy what you like, then you’ll be sure to like the dip, too.
Saving Money on Million Dollar Dip:
Any holiday week (see my post Win at the Grocers) is likely to have great sales, and the Super Bowl is no exception – and if you’re into indulging in chips, crackers, and all the accompaniments that go right along with the biggest game day ever, it’s a great time to buy and stock up. You’ll find the best prices on condiments during the summer, but around the Superbowl, you’ll often see condiments on sale. It’s like a hail Mary. Pick up what you’ll need until summer. Cream cheese is on sale during almost every holiday and keeps well. Stock up.
As far as block or grated cheese, both go on sale regularly. Know what’s a great sale and a good one and stock up when the pirce is at a low. It will keep for weeks in the fridge.
Me, I’m getting back to my healthy eating plan…maybe after I make something sweet for Valentine’s day, lol! Cross your fingers for me…If you’d like to see more of my appetizers you can click over to my menu for Appetizers, Starters & Munchies. There are several other fun cheesy dips & spreads and dozens of other recipes to see.
Million Dollar Dip
Million Dollar Dip
- Total Time: 15 minutes plus chill
- Yield: about 2 1/2 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons cream cheese, room temperature (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 5 green onions, chopped
- 8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 slices, 1/2 pound bacon cooked & crumbled or 1/2 cup real bacon bits
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
Instructions
Mix cream cheese and mayo together. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and chill for 12 to 24 hours if time allows.
Serve with Chips or Crackers.
Keywords: Appetizer, Bacon, cheddar, Cheese, Green Onion, Mayonnaise, Spreads and Dips
Save a little by regrowing your Green Onions
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I’ll be sharing this dish at Fiesta Friday, cohosted this week by Ai @ Ai Made It For You and Petra @ Food Eat Love. Stop over, visit their blogs – I know there are a lot of special dishes this week!
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