Not Just Cheese and Crackers

Theteam at the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board has only one goal, to promoteWisconsin-made cheese and dairy products, and they’re quite effective. In thepast, they’ve launched websites collecting recipes for gourmet macaroni andcheese and artisanal grilled-cheese sandwiches. Their latest online campaign isthe website dairydips.com, which compiles more than 50 dip recipes from thetraditional (cheesy crab dip, buffalo chicken dip) to the sophisticated (whitebean cranberry rosemary dip) to the downright curious (mascarpone piña coladadip). As you’d expect from the Milk Marketing Board, the dips are alldairy-based and they tend toward the decadent, but the site is a good resourcefor those looking for fast Super Bowl party recipes. Below are two recipes fromthe site. The directions for each couldn’t be simpler; just combine theingredients and serve.

Sriracha Blue Cheese Spread

1cup (6 ounces) Wisconsin Blue Cheese, crumbled

1(8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1small shallot, grated or minced

2tablespoons apricot preserves

2teaspoons Sriracha or Rooster sauce (or to taste)

Serve with celery,carrots, endive leaves or crackers

Wisconsin MascarponeCarrot Cake Dip

2cups carrots, grated (squeeze in paper towel to expel most of their liquid)

8ounces (about 1 cup) Wisconsin mascarpone, softened

1/2cup (4 ounces) Wisconsin ricotta cheese

1/3cup dates, diced

11/2 tablespoons honey

1teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice, plus 1/2 teaspoon grated rind

1teaspoon natural vanilla extract

1/2teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4teaspoon salt

1/2cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

Serve with ginger thins,ginger snaps or graham crackers.