With just four ingredients, this Maraschino cherry cheese dip will transform your party appetizers into a gourmet experience.
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Recipe is Decades Old
This is one of those tried and true recipes that is just in my head; therefore I can make it without any recipe. One day, we needed a recipe at the restaurant for a party and it needed to be something unique.
A delicious cheese dip was launched. The taste of this recipe is amazing with a little heat from the onion, the creaminess of the cream cheese, the crunchiness of the celery, and it is brought home by the sweetness of the Maraschino cherries.
Cheese Dip or Cheese Ball
Serve this in a pretty bowl or pat it round and serve on a plate with crackers. Whichever way you prefer to show off your pretty cheese spread, it will please your guests.
Maraschino cherries are a very popular garnish often in alcoholic drinks and drizzled on top of ice cream. Yummy!
A Word About Commercially Preserved Maraschino Cherries
The methods used to achieve the bright red look and sweetness of the cherry may not be the best. So, let’s talk about why… For instance, the FDA has even developed a declaration policy. “… When Maraschino Cherries (or other cherries artificially colored red and flavored) are used as an ingredient in another food, they should be declared on the label of that food as “cherries artificially colored red and flavored” or, if a chemical preservative is present should be labeled with a declaration such as “cherries artificially colored red and flavored, preserved with _______,” the blank to be filled in with the name of the chemical preservative. “
In retrospect, I would not let this information scare you off of using Maraschino Cherries. Just be aware of what the labels tell you on your products. There are still a number of places to purchase safe Maraschino Cherries; thankfully for those of us that like to eat these cherries once in a while.
Finding Safe Gourmet Maraschino Cherries
Here are a few purchasing options for Gourmet Maraschino Cherries without preservatives.
Here is an all natural option with the stems for Gourmet Maraschino Cherries again no preservatives.
Maraschino Cherry Cheese Dip
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 2 8 Oz. Bricks of Cream Cheese softened so it can be blended with ingredients by hand
- 1/2 Cup celery Diced fine
- 1/2 Cup onion Diced fine
- 1/2 Cup Maraschino Cherries No stems, no pits, and diced fine
text ingredients
Instructions
- Make sure that the cream cheese is soft. Leave it set on the counter an hour and it should be soft enough.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, diced celery, onion, and mix with a spoon by hand.
- Once that is mixed, then add the diced maraschino cherries. I just find by doing this, the cherries hold up better to the mixing.
- Once mixed, place on a plate or in a nice serving bowl. Enjoy with crackers, baguettes, or another delicious cracker.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Nutrition
A few of my favorite things
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I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other recipes that you may enjoy.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.
Angie
Monday 18th of November 2019
I tried this cheese dip. Glad I gave it a try because it was very good. Easy to make and it was gone at the end of the party and people were asking me for the recipe.
patternprincess1
Tuesday 19th of November 2019
So glad you tried the cheese dip. I agree, very good recipe.