One Story at a Time #7: The Recipe (or Creation) That Feels Like Home

One of my grandmas was an amazing cook. She could feed thirty people at once without breaking a sweat, and somehow everything hit the table hot and perfect at the same time. That was her magic — and I wish I’d learned it. I can’t pass down her recipes or her tricks, but I can tell the story of how great she was in the kitchen. She passed away earlier this year (more about her in this post), and she’s really the reason I decided to start Pen Your Past and write my life, one story at a time. (more about my reasons for starting a blog in midlife here)

When I was in high school, before I became a mom, I discovered a delicious dip that quickly became a favorite with tortilla chips. Honestly, I think I’ve been a “dip person” my whole life. Chips, veggies, fruit — if I can dip it, I’m happy. I don’t remember exactly where I learned the recipe, but it was so easy, and everyone loved it. My younger cousin even used it for a school presentation once. She called it “Kari’s Dip,” and I still wonder if she makes it for her kids now.

It’s so simple I almost feel silly calling it a recipe, but here it is — just three ingredients:

〰️ 1 block of cream cheese
〰️ 1 can of chili with beans
〰️ Finely shredded cheddar cheese

I like to make it in two glass pie plates — one to eat now, one for later. Soften the cream cheese and split it in half, spreading each half onto the bottom of a pie plate. Spread half the can of chili on top of each, then bake at about 350–370°F for 5–7 minutes. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top and bake just until it melts. That’s it. Be careful — it’s piping hot — but it’s perfect with a pile of tortilla chips.

These days, I sometimes take the lazy route and microwave it (covered, to avoid a chili explosion). And even though it’s been around since the late ’80s or early ’90s, I’ve noticed versions of it popping up on Facebook. So maybe it’s not unique anymore, but it’s still part of my history.

My son has his own list of my “greatest hits” in the kitchen — homemade pretzels, taco salad, Christmas goodies, and lasagna (even the one time I forgot the beef). I hope to create more things for my grandkids to remember me by. I’ve turned out to be pretty crafty, so maybe it won’t be a recipe they think of first. But I like to think that, just like my grandma, I’ll be remembered for the little things I made with love.