 My folks have the kind of house where people walk in the door and feel like they’ve come home. It always smells like my mother's latest culinary creation and it pleases me to no end when someone who doesn’t live there feels comfortable enough to kick off their shoes and dig in at the dinner table. This outwardly barren time of year makes me think of gatherings that brought a full-bodied glow to our home. Like all good gatherings, it started out small and became a necessity because it was such a success. It was junior year of high school, and my friends and I were slogging through AP U.S. history. The class was a behemoth of information that made it feel as though we had to relearn the entire history of our young country. After nine months of that oddly rewarding torture and joy, I can safely say that our country didn’t feel so young. But nevertheless, the study session snack marathon was born. It was a great excuse to spread our confusing notes out on the floor while erratically discussing various high school clique dramas, the next football game, Martin Van Buren’s presidency and why the school dress code was just getting ridiculous. Meanwhile, we would devour my mom’s homemade pizza and chomp down on freshly baked cookies. At one point, my dad had to run out for more milk when one of my football-playing friends managed to gulp down an entire half-gallon on his own. The sessions included more people with every exam - especially as the word got out about the fabulous fare. Just as well, we were getting better grades with each passing test. The sessions, which included a think tank of varied minds, helped us draw connections and remember facts and dates. To this day, I’ll never forget that barbed wire was essential to creating the state boundary lines in the American West. When the weather turned cold, peppermint hot cocoa made the rounds and kept us caffeinated, along with my mom’s famous sugar cookies. Sugar really is tackling fuel when it comes to studying, after all. The ritual continued at my house for some time. We would gather, study, gossip, laugh, memorize, laugh some more and feast. As we varied the menu, one particular snack began to emerge as king. And when we ate it at the study session, we all swore that it helped us to pass our exams. It’s not fancy or sophisticated, but it sure is good. Whether you’re having a party or hosting a haven for studying (and gossiping) teenagers, this pizza dip is a true ace. Ever since we discovered this recipe in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Food section in 2004, it has been a staple. Pizza dip can be dinner on a lazy Sunday afternoon or a quick fix if your family, friends or neighbors drop by for a surprise visit. When the study sessions migrated with me to college, I always made sure I had these ingredients on hand – and some Fritos Scoops, which were made to go with this. Hands down, this dip promises good things - and good luck. BB’s Famous Pizza Dip Ingredients
Cooking Directions
Ashley Strickland is an associate producer with CNN.com. She likes tackling English toffee, channeling summer with sunflower cheesecakes, sharing green soup, cajoling recipes from athletes and studying up on food holidays. |
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This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want�HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
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Good Lord, does everyone always have to "fight" about everything? Seems like the recipe isn't the only "DIP" :)
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Enjoy it or not.. this IS America.. we're free to choose.
I would make it for an adult party but I wouldn't dream of making it at home for my family. Way too unhealthy for snacking and unlike the article suggests, corn chips and this do NOT a dinner make.
Nowhere in this article does it tell you to cook this up as a dinner.
Another in CNN's series promoting obesity in America. Way to go.
Nobody said you had to eat the whole thing youself . . .
Sounds good. For those that want it healthier, make it healthier. Use low fat cream cheese, low fat cheese, skip the pepperoni, add some great veggies (spinach, peppers, onions come to mind, and there are many more). Skip the scoops and use pita chips. Enjoying this on occasion is not going to be a problem. Scarf it down all the time, then you have bigger issues.
Better yet, skip the whole thing.
How about a sprinkling of Italian seasoning?
It does kinda beg for it, doesn't it? :)
what is it with women and dip? seriously, every female I've known craves this crap...then wonders if they're fat.
It's a dip. You don't sit and eat the whole thing. Sheesh! Some of you aren't happy unless you're miserable, and you feel you need to take others with you.
I think it sounds delicious, and I'm thinking of ways to make it healthy, because I'm not some idiot who says, "I must make the recipe exactly as they say!"
Lowfat/fat free cream cheese, low fat mozzarella, and leave out the pepperoni–maybe even replace it with fresh tomatoes or chopped bell peppers.
Thank you!!!
For some of you health freaks that turn up your nose at this recipe, there's nothing carved in stone that you HAVE to use these exact ingredients. You can substitute spinach for the artichokes if you want. It's a snack, be creative.
What is wrong with some of you people? I see posts commenting on Heart Attacks, Zocor, and healthy ideas? So this recipe calls for cream cheese, cheese, and pepperoni amongst other vegetable items. What do you friggin people eat? Sprout Salad without dressing? I take it Dana, Sybaris, and Really never eat anything that has a cheese or meat product. So pizza, lasagna, casseroles and a wide variety of other meals never hit your stomachs. Perhaps the onion, artichokes, olives, or tomato sauce in this are also taboo and never to be digested by the human life form. It's not like this has 3 sticks of butter, 2 pounds of sausage, 6 pounds of cheese and you must eat all of it at one sitting.
I agree, and I bet this dip would be a big hit at a party
I agree with you, Pappy. And I also agree with the poster a few posts back who apologizes to the author for others' rude comments. Who would have guessed that an article with a recipe would cause so much controversy? Goodness gracious! (And for the record, I think the dip sounds yummy...anything with cream cheese usually is!)
Thank you for sharing your recipe with us and I'm sorry that some people just don't have the decency to keep their rude comments to themselves. I read some of the comments posted on your previous story about your grandmother's secret cookie recipe and couldn't believe how horrible some of the trolls out there can be. Your efforts are appreciated!
'Cause obese americans really need this recipe... CNN- Why not highlight some healthy ideas?? You can find this junk anywhere.
wait – since when is it CNN's responsibility to monitor what people eat? You don't have to make it or eat it. Skip the article.
Save the planet.
Kill yourself.
Pass the Zocor please.
Why not use a pizza sauce instead of just plain tomato sauce? Skip the artichokes hearts. I am sure this is tasteful too, but just saying....
Sounds like a great recipe. I'll try it! Yum!
Sure, more heart attack on the way.
Well-written, and sounds delicious. Plan on trying it for sure. While I was reading it, I could imagine the scene as she described it, down to the smells. Nice job.