Lisa's Weekly Recipe -- Bread Dip

Whenever I throw parties or go to one, this is one of my favorite things to make. It is a dip that is so easy and so good that one of my girlfriends practically demands it at any party we have! Since my girlfriend demands it and I've shared it with several other people, I've decided to share it with you!

Simply stated, it is called Bread Dip.

Ingredients:

2 cups of sour cream
2 cups of mayonnaise
1 package dried beef--chopped fine
1 Tbsp. chopped onion
1 Tbsp. chives or green onion
1-2 loaves of pumpernickel bread

Directions:

In a large bowl mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, dried beef, chopped onion, and chives. Cover and chill for a few hours, or make the night before. The dip tastes better when it is cold and gives the flavors a chance to marry.

Serving/Plating:

There are several different ways I plate this dip up, just depends on what you are in the mood to do! One option is to just leave the dip in the bowl and place the bowl in the middle of a large round platter. Take a loaf of pumpernickel bread and either tear it into small chunks or cut it up into chunks (think bite-sized pieces). Scatter the bread pieces around the bowl on the platter and serve.

Another option is to get a round loaf of pumpernickel bread and hollow it out to make it a serving bowl. You can either put the dip directly into the bread bowl you just made or you can place a smaller bowl inside the hollowed out bread bowl and pour some of the dip into it. If you're going to serve it in the bread I personally like to put the smaller bowl inside it, that way if people start picking at the bread bowl, you don't have to worry about the walls getting so thin that the dip starts pouring out the sides. Take the chunks of bread you tore out of the bread bowl you just made and place on a plate or in another bowl to serve along with the dip.

I like the way this tastes with the pumpernickel bread, but if you don't like pumpernickel feel free to substitute it with something you prefer. Also, you can serve this alongside with some vegetables such as carrots, cucumber slices, or even sliced mushrooms. This recipes makes a good amount of dip so you may want to only put half out at a time. Will keep in the refrigerator for about a week so you can keep enjoying it after the party...if there is any left!

Enjoy!