French Bread Dip

French Bread Dip

from southernliving.com
Appetizer
25 min
10 servings

This cheesy, spicy, filling dip will be the first thing gobbled up at your party. Dried beef adds a surprising savory bite, while vegetables keep the texture from being one note.

Ingredients

  • 1french bread loaf
  • 1 tbsp.neutral oil
  • 1 mediumgreen bell pepper, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
  • 2 mediumscallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1can diced green chiles, undrained
  • ½ cupfinely chopped dried beef (from 1 [4.5-oz.] pkg.) (such as armour)
  • 1pkg. cream cheese, cubed and softened
  • ½ cuptap water
  • 2 ½ tsp.chili seasoning mix (from 1 [1 1/4-oz.] envelope)
  • 8 oz.monterey jack cheese, shredded, divided (about 2 cups)
  • 1 mediumroma tomato, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
  • assorted crackers and chips

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to broil with rack about 6 inches (center) from heat source. Gather all ingredients.

  2. 2

    Using a serrated knife, slice off top 1/2-inch of bread loaf, and scoop out center of loaf to form a shell. Discard or reserve removed bread for another use. Transfer bread shell to an aluminum foil-lined large rimmed baking sheet.

  3. 3

    Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in scallions, green chiles, and dried beef; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add cream cheese, water, chili seasoning, and 1 1/2 cups of the Monterey Jack cheese. Cook, stirring often, until mixture is creamy, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Fold in tomatoes. Transfer mixture to prepared bread shell. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.

  4. 4

    Broil in preheated oven until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 3 minutes.

  5. 5

    Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with additional scallions. Serve with assorted crackers and chips.