Creamy Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper Dip
Elevate your appetizer game with this creamy and savory Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper Dip. This delightful dip features the rich flavor of roasted garlic combined with tangy cream cheese and the sweetness of roasted red peppers. Perfect for gatherings, it pairs wonderfully with an assortment of fresh vegetables, crackers, or bread. Whether you're hosting a party or just craving a flavorful snack, this easy-to-make dip is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds.
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
garlic heads
2 heads (Remove outer papery skin, leaving heads intact.)
Philadelphia Cream Cheese
8 ounces (Softened)
roasted red pepper
1/4 cup (Chopped)
dry marsala wine
2 tablespoons (N/A)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (N/A)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
white pepper
1/8 teaspoon (N/A)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Carefully remove the outer papery skin from the garlic heads while keeping the heads intact. Place the garlic in a small baking dish.
3
Pour water into the baking dish until it reaches a depth of about 1 inch, then cover the dish with aluminum foil.
4
Roast the garlic in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the cloves are tender, basting occasionally with the cooking liquid.
5
Once done, remove the garlic from the oven and let it cool slightly. Carefully squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and place them in the bowl of a food processor.
6
Add the softened cream cheese, chopped roasted red pepper, dry marsala wine, olive oil, salt, and white pepper to the food processor.
7
Blend the mixture until it is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary.
8
Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9
Before serving, garnish with chopped fresh chives and additional roasted red pepper if desired. Serve with a variety of vegetable dippers, crackers, or bread.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper Dip?
It is a savory and creamy appetizer featuring roasted garlic, cream cheese, and sweet roasted red peppers.
How many garlic heads are needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 garlic heads.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How do I prepare the garlic for roasting?
Remove the outer papery skin while keeping the heads intact and place them in a baking dish.
Why is water added to the baking dish when roasting garlic?
Water is added to a depth of 1 inch to help steam and soften the garlic cloves during the roasting process.
Should the baking dish be covered during roasting?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil before putting it in the oven.
How long does the garlic take to roast?
The garlic should roast for approximately 1 hour or until the cloves are tender.
What is basting in this recipe?
Basting involves occasionally pouring the cooking liquid over the garlic heads while they roast.
How do I remove the roasted garlic from the skin?
Once cooled slightly, carefully squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins.
What appliance is used to blend the dip?
A food processor is used to blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
What type of cream cheese is suggested?
The recipe specifies 8 ounces of softened Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
How much roasted red pepper is required?
You will need 1/4 cup of chopped roasted red pepper.
Does the recipe include alcohol?
Yes, it includes 2 tablespoons of dry marsala wine.
How much olive oil should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The dip is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of white pepper.
Do I need to soften the cream cheese?
Yes, softening the cream cheese ensures a smooth and easy blending process.
How long should the dip be refrigerated?
Refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
What is the recommended garnish for this dip?
Garnish with chopped fresh chives and additional roasted red pepper.
What are some suggested dippers for this recipe?
Serve it with fresh vegetable dippers, crackers, or bread.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 12 servings.
What category does this recipe fall under?
It is categorized as a Vegetable dish.
Is this dip served hot or cold?
This dip is served chilled after being refrigerated.
Can I use black pepper instead of white pepper?
While white pepper is specified for flavor and appearance, black pepper can be used as a substitute if necessary.
How do I ensure the dip is smooth?
Blend the mixture in a food processor and scrape down the sides as necessary during the process.
Is this a good recipe for parties?
Yes, it is described as an impressive and easy-to-make appetizer for gatherings.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, because it requires at least 30 minutes of chilling, it is a great make-ahead option.
What is the main flavor profile of this dip?
It features rich roasted garlic flavor combined with tangy cream cheese and sweet roasted red peppers.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients.
Do I need to peel the garlic before roasting?
No, you roast the heads intact after only removing the outer papery skin.
What type of wine is recommended?
The recipe calls specifically for dry marsala wine.