One of my favorite snacks is pretzels dipped in mustard, so I created this Smokey Mustard Dip. It’s not spicy, but you could easily make it hotter by using spicy mustard. You could also make it sweeter with honey mustard.  

1 cup chopped onions
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 small (8 oz) bottle of prepared mustard

Combine onions, garlic, smoked paprika, and cumin in a frying pan coated in cooking spray. Saute over medium heat for 5 minutes.

Place onion mixture in a food processor or chopper with pepper and mayonnaise. Puree until mixture is smooth. Add mustard and mix thoroughly.

Serve warm immediately or refrigerate and serve later cold. Goes well with pretzels, crackers, or raw veggies.

This is an easy and tasty homemade BBQ sauce from Smuckers.com (the jelly people).

1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup grape jelly
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp ground mustard
1/4 cayenne or black pepper

Mix all ingredients well in a medium mixing bowl. If jelly has been refrigerated, warm in the microwave before using. Divide sauce in half, using the first have to coat or baste. Warm the second half in a small saucepan and serve as dipping sauce.

Variations:

Honey BBQ or Maple BBQ
Add 1/4 tsp salt and either 1 tbsp honey or pure maple syrup.

Blackberry BBQ
Substitute blackberry jam for grape jelly.

Less Sugar
Use low sugar ketchup and sugar free jelly or jam.

Quick and easy to make dip, perfect for parties. Can be made with reduced fat products.

1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 cup reduced-fat or regular mayonnaise
1 package (3 oz) 1/3 less fat or regular cream cheese
1 onion (6 oz), peeled and minced
1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
2 baguettes, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 350F

Squeeze spinach well to remove liquid. With a mixer, beat spinach, mayonnaise, cream cheese, onion, garlic, 1 cup parmesan cheese, and pepper until thoroughly combined.

Spread mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese and the paprika.

Bake until hot in center and lightly browned on top, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Serve hot to spread on baguette slices. Crackers or tortilla chips can also be used.

Here is the first creation from the new Betty Crocker PocketChef Breakfast and Brunch cookbook I received from my Secret Santa. This dish is great for breakfast, dessert, appetizers or just a snack! I made it in the morning and we had some for breakfast and some later for an after-dinner snack.

1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
1 (7 oz) jar of marshmallow creme
1 tbsp milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon

In a medium bowl, beat all ingredients together with an electric mixer until smooth. Serve with fruit or graham crackers for dipping.