Cranberry Swiss Dip

This was the second dip served in the Rival Double Crockpot as part of Auntie EQ and Uncle Meat & Potatoes annual New Years Eve party. The other half of the double had Chili Cheese Dip. Uncle Meat & Potatoes, a regular reader of the blog, read about the Spinach Artichoke Dip made for another party with friends while I was out of town over Christmas.  He requested it and I had to turn him down. This is the practical downside of trying to produce a new slow cooked item every day for a year.  I felt very guilty and hoped one of the two dips would redeem the situation.

Uncle Meat & Potatoes, ever the consummate educator, had party attendees view a documentary on the making and distilling of various scotch and whiskey products throughout the world.  He set up a product specific spirits bar.  He paused the DVD after each featured brand, and all guests sampled shot glasses filled with whatever brand of liquor had been featured in the segment. He even had the national flags of each liquor distillery location taped on the mantel.  It was something to behold on many levels. 

Winner, Loser, or Meh

During the second segment of the liquor documentary, before anyone was thoroughly plastered, Uncle Meat & Potatoes rushed over to my chair with dip cheese dripping from a cracker and his lower lip.  He breathlessly whispered in my ear "this is the best thing I have ever eaten".  I went to the bar for a taste of the dip and it was almost all gone.  I think this is a winner.

Interestingly, the dip is not really sweet.  The Jarlsberg cuts sweetness. The tangerine and cranberries were really set off by the nutty flavor of the cheese.  Both dips were assembled in under 5 minutes on the bar before I rushed off for other errands.  The guests had already arrived before I could get back and Auntie EQ shot a quick photo while I was gone and before the dip had its final stir.

Recipe

I used a 2 1/2 -3 quart crock for this.  A 1 1/2-2 quart crock would work as well.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2/3-3/4 cups Jarlsberg cheese, grated (Swiss works, too)
• 2 Tbls orange juice
• zest of 1/2 a tangerine (orange or cutie would work, too)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tsps sugar

Spread the cream cheese on the bottom of the crock.  Spread the grated Jarlsberg evenly over the top.  Sprinkle with orange juice and zest.  Sprinkle the cranberries on top and dust the cranberries with the sugar.  Cover and cook on high for about an hour, until the cheese is melted.  Stir and serve straight from the crock on the warm setting.  We served them with wheat thins.