Affordable And Easy: The Luxury Chain Dip Everyone Wants - Tasting Table

"Even if your bank account isn't thickly padded, million dollar recipes can make you feel like you're in a financially sound position. Thankfully, these kinds of dishes don't require wallets to be opened wide to make them, but simply contain a list of rich ingredients to create some indulgent dips and soups. One such million dollar dip has gained popularity. Said to have been first served in the 1950s at the Zodiac Room, a restaurant inside the luxury Neiman Marcus department store. The dip was associated with an upscale shopping experience and was catapulted into an elevated status."

"Created by Helen Corbitt, a Texan chef and cookbook author, the dip includes toasted and sliced almonds. Though the exact recipe can't be found in print, hungry netizens have taken it upon themselves to post copycats online. Imagine upgrading pimento cheese and spicing it up with favorite flavors like onion and garlic powder. Indulgent ingredients like bacon, cheese, and mayo kick tastebuds to a higher pay scale, and the easy-to-make recipe looks fancier than the sum of its parts."

"The cheddar cheese traditionally used to make million dollar dip can be adjusted to suit preferences. Pepper jack or Gouda can also lend flavorful depth to this decadent dip recipe. Lovers of heat may want to sprinkle pickled or freshly chopped jalapeños into their version or add hot sauce for extra punch. Scallions bring freshness to the dip and when served with crackers, lead to the kind of side dish that is tricky to walk away from."

Million dollar dip is a decadent cheese-based spread originating in the 1950s Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus and attributed to Helen Corbitt. The recipe commonly features cheddar, mayonnaise, toasted sliced almonds, bacon, and seasonings like onion and garlic powder. Variations substitute cheeses such as pepper jack or Gouda and add heat with pickled or fresh jalapeños or hot sauce. Scallions add freshness, and the dip is typically served with crackers. A related million dollar soup uses a canned soup base topped with crumbled bacon, Ritz crackers, and shredded cheddar, often paired with garlic toast.

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