Three Very '80s Snacks for Entertaining

By hefk -
My parents have been friends with one particular couple since college. They have daughters just about the ages of my sister and I, and they used to live about 90 minutes away, so our families visited or road tripped together several times a year throughout the 1980s. When we celebrated New Year's Eve or another festive occasion, these three snacks always made an appearance. They are VERY retro, but we've made some adjustments over time, so you'll be sure to love them too. Sorry I didn't get this one out there before the season of entertaining came and went, but now you can plan your first celebration of 2011 with these in your toolbox!

DOUBLE SPINACH DIP
This is tastier than any Whl Fds or other grocery store kind.
dip:
1 pkg Knorr vegetable soup mix
1 16 oz tub of sour cream
1 small can of sliced water chestnuts
2 pkgs of frozen spinach (this is the adjustment we make from the Knorr pkg directions - double spinach = good for you! :)

dippers:
Loaf of pumpernickel bread, cubed or box of favorite crackers (If you're really fancy, you can do a pumpernickel bread bowl. G can make us one in her no-knead pot)

Chop water chestnuts into slivers (use the whole can or the leftovers will languish in your fridge for weeks. a mezzaluna is great for this task).
Thaw and drain spinach pkgs.
Stir all ingredients together and allow to chill overnight for best results.
Serve with cubed pumpernickel or crackers

CRISPIX MIX -
(note - the sauce amount is a personal preference. our feeling is, the saucier the better. my sister is the only one who can really get this right anymore.)

7 C Crispix cereal (a mix of corn, rice & wheat is a must - I wish they sold a mixed box!)
2 C mixed nuts, heavy on the cashews
1 C mini pretzels
6 T melted butter or margarine
1/2 t garlic salt
1/2 t onion salt
4 t lemon juice
4 T Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 250
Combine cereal, nuts & pretzels.
Stir sauce ingredients together.
Toss snack mixture with sauce mixture until evenly coated.
Bake mixture in 13x9x2 baking dish for about 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes
Spread on opened brown paper bags to cool.
Store in airtight containers


CHILI CON QUESO
(Yes Virginia, there is Velveeta in this recipe. If this doesn't get me kicked off the food blog roll, nothing will!)

2 blocks Velveeta cheese, cubed
1/2 green pepper
1 onion
1 small jar of pimentos
1 can chili without beans
2 t chili powder
1 T Worcestershire sauce
tortilla chips

In a double boiler, melt Velveeta, stirring constantly.
Finely chop pepper, onion & pimentos
Add remaining ingredients & stir until well-blended.
Simmer 2 hours
Serve w chips for dipping


It's not cooking, but you'll love 'em.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Your queso dip is fancier than mine --
1 block Velveeta cheese
1 can rotel tomatoes

Combine. Melt cheese. Stick face in bowl.
10:06 AM
gwen said…
I am proud to say that I have eaten all three of these 80s appetizers... maybe some of them actually IN the 80s? No, not quite, but definitely early 90s and beyond. I love them all and the spinach dip especially is pretty much my favorite earthly thing.
9:05 PM
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