Cheese and Bacon Dip

Ingredients

• 350 g / 12 oz bacon (, chopped)
• 250 g / 8 oz cream cheese (, softened)
• 1 cup sour cream ((preferably full fate))
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp garlic powder ((or sub with onion powder))
• 1 cup shredded tasty or cheddar cheese ((Note 1))
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ((Note 1))
• 1 cup shallots / scallions (, chopped (~4 - 5 stalks))
• 1 round cob bread ((sourdough works best))
• 5 Jatz / Ritz or other plain savoury cracker (, crushed (Note 2))
• Oil spray
• Crackers (, chips, toasted bread)

Steps

1. 1

   Cook bacon in a non stick skillet / fry pan over high heat until browned. Transfer to paper towel lined plate to drain.

2. 2

   Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream and garlic powder together in a heat proof bowl.

3. 3

   Stir through most of the bacon, all the cheese and most of the shallots. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. The dip may look like the oil from the cheese has separated. Just stir well and it will come (and stay) together.

4. 4

   If serving as is, pour into a serving bowl, top with remaining bacon and shallots.

5. 5

   Serve with crackers, chips and the bread you pulled out to create the bread bowl (I toast it).

6. 6

   If making this in a bread bowl. use a small knife to cut a circle on the top of the cob loaf then remove enough bread to make a bowl. Pour the dip into the bowl.

7. 7

   Top with crushed crackers, spray with oil. Bake for 20 minutes at 180C/350F until top is golden.

8. 8

   Top with remaining bacon and shallots. Serve warm.