Mount Diablo Taco Dip Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, and cook, stirring occasionally, until completely browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off any excess oil. Add about half of the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water and stir until the beef is well coated. Cook until slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and spread out evenly.
• Return the skillet to the heat and add the refried beans. Cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Spread evenly over the ground beef mixture. Top the refried beans evenly with the shredded Cheddar.
• Whisk together the cream cheese and sour cream in a medium bowl until smooth and combined. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the mixture to a small piping bag (or small resealable plastic bag) and reserve. Add the remaining taco seasoning to the remaining cream cheese mixture and stir to combine. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the shredded cheese layer. Top with the salsa and spread evenly. Refrigerate while you make the chips.
• Lay one tortilla on a cutting board and trim into a tree with a paring knife. Transfer to one of the prepared baking sheets. Cut tombstones (and other Halloween shapes if you like) out of the remaining tortillas with 2-inch cutters or by hand. Arrange on the prepared baking sheets. Bake, flipping the tortillas halfway through, until crisp and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
• Pipe "RIP" on some of the tombstones with the reserved cream cheese mixture and press them into the taco dip. Press the tree and any remaining shapes into the taco dip.
• Cut the lettuce into several pieces, add to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped (you should have about 2 cups total). Spread the lettuce and cilantro around the tortilla chips. Spoon mounds of black olives in front of some of the tombstones. Serve with the remaining chips.

Steps:

• Blend taco mix into sour cream and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to several hours. On an oversized platter layer the avocado on the bottom, bringing it almost to the platter rim. Top with the sour cream mixture, making a smaller ring. Sprinkle on the Monterey Jack cheese, then the cheddar cheese. Next layer the olives, followed by the tomatoes and top with the scallions. Serve with chips to scoop.

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the beans and taco seasoning. Cut a large hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; fill with bean mixture. Trace a dragon shape (about 16x10 in.) onto waxed paper (see diagram below); cut out. Place pattern on an 18x12-in. covered board. Pipe bean mixture around pattern. Remove pattern. Pipe remaining bean mixture within dragon outline; spread to fill. , Set aside 1 tablespoon sour cream. Spread remaining sour cream over bean mixture. Top with cheese, tomatoes, olives, guacamole and lettuce. For the eye, spoon reserved sour cream onto head; top with the olive., Place Dragon Dippers along back and top of head. With a sharp knife, cut red pepper into a flame shape (see diagram); position below mouth. Serve with additional dippers.

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients until well blended; cover. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled. Serve with cut-up fresh vegetables or assorted chips.