#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Writing
  • Contact

Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Pepperoni Pizza Spread

July 30, 2009 · Narrative

Pepperoni Pizza Spread

I’m a total cheese girl from way back.  One of my mom’s pregnancy cravings when she was pregnant with me was Limburger cheese, so I used to liken my fancy for strong and stinky cheeses to that.  When I was pregnant with Nick, I went a solid month eating sweet potatoes every day.  He can’t stand them.  There went that theory.

Whether it’s just chunks of cheese on a platter with crackers, or some hot melty cheese in a fondue … you name it, and I like it.  I definitely like some cheeses more than others, but suffice it to say I haven’t met a cheese I didn’t like.  We had company for dinner tonight, and I had already planned on Penne with Vodka Sauce for the main course and Pretty in Pink Strawberry Cupcakes for dessert.  Next I looked for an appetizer that would be adult-friendly but that would go over well with the five kids at the table.  Once I saw the recipe for Pepperoni Pizza Spread in a special Appetizers issue of Taste of Home magazine, my search was done.  After all, with four cups of cheese in the dish, it spoke to my inner cheese girl.  It was adult enough that when served alongside a basket of crusty baguette slices, it made the perfect starter, but kid-approved enough that they were diving in to.  I mean, hello?  A pizza dip?  Say no more!

The recipe is super simple to make.  Mix nine ingredients together and bake for 25 minutes.  Serve with crackers or bread.  We can handle this, right?  Totally!  There are some little pockets of vegetables hidden inside the dip, and I bet we could get away with hiding even more, but I didn’t want to push it.  I’m a total saltaholic, and with the green olives and bits of pepperoni throughout, it was a total party in my mouth.  Just a fun little dip that warms you from the inside out.

Pepperoni Pizza Spread
Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home magazine

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed olives
1 cup chopped pepperoni
1 can (6 ounces) ripe olives, drained and chopped
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained and chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
Crackers, breadsticks and/or French bread

In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Transfer to an 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until edges are bubbly and lightly browned. Serve with crackers, breadsticks and/or French bread. Yield: 6 cups.

Cate’s Notes:  The recipe cautions against using low-fat or fat-free mayo, but I used low-fat Hellmann’s and all was fine.  Hormel makes a pouch of pepperoni that has the meat in little mini pieces.  I used that to save on the chopping.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: cheese, Pepperoni Pizza Spread, Taste of Home

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    July 31, 2009 at 7:21 am

    Whoa this sounds intense, but in a good way! I love cheese as well. And dips. Dips are good. My favorite one recently was a buffalo chicken dip but this looks like it would give that dip a run for its money.

    Reply
  2. Jamie says

    July 31, 2009 at 8:12 am

    Hormel also makes the turkey pepperoni in slices and you really cannot tell the difference other than it’s not as greasy. Really good.

    Reply
  3. Sarah Caron says

    July 31, 2009 at 8:13 am

    Ooooh. That sounds like a heavenly starter! Great find. I am bookmarking this one for future use — my cousin is moving down the street from me and I foresee many lovely days of shared meals in my future :)

    Reply
  4. Cathy says

    July 31, 2009 at 8:54 am

    When I was in high school my best friend and I used to melt blocks of cheese in the oven and snack on it ;) I would take cheese over chocolate any day. I have a recipe for a pizza dip that uses turkey pepperoni – but I like the addition of mushrooms that your dip has.

    Reply
  5. Ramona says

    July 31, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Bet it was good to snack on. And am sure everyone loved it.
    Ramona

    Reply
  6. Donna says

    July 31, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    Oh what a wonderful appetizer and it comes together so quickly. So versatile too.

    Reply
  7. Debbie says

    August 1, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    Oh that looks good. A great dip.

    Reply
  8. Janet says

    August 2, 2009 at 2:52 am

    SO glad I stopped in! I am a fellow cheeseaholic! This will definitely be on my menu next week for my little ones 3rd birthday party!! Oooooh I can’t wait!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Storytelling…
Through photos.
Words. And recipes.

Archives

Categories

Instagram

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

Copyright © 2023 Sweetnicks · Theme by Vicki Harrison Design