Informative Personal Blog of Sci-Fi Writer

I have loved working with Kohls for the past several months and all of the amazing blog opportunities that I have had with them. One of the things that I found most interesting about working with Kohls has been that they offer such a wide diversity of products. I love being able to check out the products that are available for the entire home.

One line of Kohls products that I am particularly fond of is the Food Network line of products. I was asked to create some unique dip recipes and I thought that I would share a few of them with you while showing off the great Food Network products can also be offered.

Dip Do # 1 — Find a A Way to Make Something Easy Amazing
As a busy mom of four when I am asked to do something last minute it can be very overwhelming. I hate not being able to offer people the best quality foods but sometimes I have to incorporate items that are made from a jar because of the time constraints that I have. I created this easy spaghetti sauce dip the other night in my kitchen using the amazing Food Network 10-in Ceramic Nonstick Skillet ($29.99, current sale price $24.99). This skillet is one of the most amazing that I have ever cooked with and I loved browning the meat for this recipe in it.

Easy Spaghetti Dip
1 lb hamburger
2 tsp minced garlic (can be fresh or in a jar, not dried)
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
Brown the hamburger on medium/medium-high and drain the fat off.
Add in the minced garlic and jar of sauce. Mix together and simmer on medium-low until cooked through.
Serve in a dish with crusty bread to dip.

Dip Do # 2 –Try Something New that Reminds You of a Favorite
I also love unique great dips that remind you of other things. I love bruschetta. So I decided to come up with a great dip recipe that would combine this love with another love of mine. I came up with…

Fresh Mozzarella Bruschetta Salsa
3 Roma Tomatoes
1 5 oz block of fresh mozzarella cheese
1 bunch of green onion
2 tsp minced garlic (fresh or jarred, not dried)

2 tsp freeze dried basil (or you can use fresh, my supermarket was sold out or I would have chosen 2 Tbs fresh basil minced)
3 tsp balsamic vinegarette dressing
Chop the roma tomatoes, green onions, and mozzarella into small pieces. Add these to a bowl.
Add in the garlic, basil, and balsamic vinegar and mix together.
Eat with wheat crackers or tortilla chips.

This dip could be served in the Food Network Tiered Chip & Dip Set ($49.99, sale $34.99).  I love how creative and elegant this chip and dip set is.

Dip Do # 3–Try A Dip that Can Be More Than a Dip
Another Food Network product that I got to check out was the 12-in. Hard-Anodized Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Covered Deep Skillet ($69.99, sale $49.99). This product is a great skillet as well. I love the high sides to this one and how convenient it is to cook things in. I plan on using it tomorrow to make another new dip recipe that I have created for this post. As a busy mom of four, being able to create dips that can be turned into meals also works great for me. The best thing about this next dip is that you can actually wrap it in tortillas and eat it like burritos or tacos. I think that this would be a great choice.
Easy Layered Taco Dip
1 lb hamburger, browned and drained
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can of seasoned black beans
1 onion
2 tomatoes
1 8 oz container sour cream
lettuce
1 bag of taco cheese, divided with one cup reserved
Take the hamburger and cook with the taco seasoning per directions. While cooking, heat the black beans in a separate pan.
Place the beans on the bottom of a casserole dish. Then layer the taco meat on top. Top this with the cheese (all but the one cup) and heat in the oven until the cheese is melted on 350. This should not take long, just a couple of minutes (watch carefully so that you do not burn this).
Top with a layer of onion, a layer of tomatoes, a layer of sour cream, and a layer of lettuce. Top with the 1 cup of cheese.

The Food Network Porcelain 8.7-in. Square Covered Baking Dish ($44.99, sale $31.49)  is the perfect dish for this dip to be cooked in and served in as well.

Dip Do # 4–Try to Combine Two of Your Favorites
Of course there is always the need for a delicious spin on an old favorite. I love ranch dip and I love spinach artichoke dip as well. Although I love the spinach artichoke dip a lot, I struggle with being able to eat it during the summer because hot dips are not always what I want when it is hot out. So I decided to try and find a great new way to make spinach artichoke dip summer friendly and ranch dip first came to mind.

Spinach Artichoke Ranch Dip
1 8 oz container sour cream
1 packet ranch dip seasoning
1 8 oz bag fresh spinach
1 5 oz jar marinated artichoke hearts
2 tsp minced garlic (fresh or jarred, not dried)
1 6 oz container shredded Parmesan cheese
Mix together the sour cream and ranch seasoning packet.
Chop the spinach and mix in with the ranch mixture.
Drain the artichoke hearts, chop them into small pieces, and mix into dip mixture.
Add in the minced garlic and stir.
Add in shredded Parmesan and stir.
Serve with chips, bread, or crackers.

The Food Network Large Handled Bowl ($24.99, sale $17.49) is the perfect bowl for serving this amazing dip.  I love how it would be so easy to carry the bowl to and from events with the dip in it.  Plus you can easily prepare this dip in the same bowl without having to dirty two items at the same time.

These dips have all been tested and approved by my family and they all love them. I have also taken them to parties and backyard BBQs this summer.

Now for that $500 gift card.  The contest is quite simple.  You simply post pictures of your own amazing dip creations on Instagram or Twitter with @Kohls and #CookWithKohls included.  Have fun cooking with Kohls and remember each week there is a new topics and a new chance to win the $500 gift card.