LAUREL —
It’s become a staple of many women's social lives - the much-anticipated "girls' night out.” Our mothers had their Tupperware parties; now, my friends and I have our GNO.
To take advantage of the growing numbers of GNOs popping up all over the country, restaurants set aside special nights and menus for these rites of female bonding. In the Jackson area, cooking classes and even a do-it-yourself cupcake-making service cater to females looking for harmless fun.
Call it girl-bonding or fleeing from the spouse and kids for a few hours. Whatever your reasons for gathering with girlfriends, GNO has become an accepted part of most women’s’ lives.
In my circle of friends, the impetus of the first girls-only night of fun was to watch our friend Joanna Gaston compete on American Idol. Nancy, the hostess with the largest flat screen, provided the main snack. Everyone else brought their favorite “Sip and Dip," or their favorite beverage and appetizer.
At our most recent S & D, the latest installment of The Bachelorette was the night’s theme. Arriving late minus a dip, I helped myself to ice-cold lemonade and a variety of dips as the show unfolded.
A mixture of finely chopped green onions, mayonnaise, bacon and cheddar cheese that had been baked until bubbly and topped with red pepper jelly was MeLisa’s contribution.
A loaf of Pepperidge Farm Mozzarella Garlic Bread that had been coated with a mixture of ground, browned sausage and Velveeta cheese, then baked and cut into small slices made it out of her oven and to the Sip and Dip in “less than five minutes,” according to Melinda.
Several other appetizers were worth their chips, but these two won my vote for most ingenious and delicious dips.
The next time your girlfriends gather for a GNO, try one of these recipes or the one below. They’ll be welcome additions to your own private Sip and Dip.
Sip and Dip Shrimp Dip
1 can small shrimp, drained
6 ounces shredded mild cheddar cheese
6 ounces shredded Monterey jack cheese.
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup Romano, asiago, and parmesan cheese (in shaker can)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Mix all ingredients together, spread in casserole dish and bake at 325 degrees until bubbly. Watch closely, as the cheese on the edges will burn before the middle is hot.
Kara Kimbrough writes a syndicated food column. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.
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Mom had Tupperware party; I have my GNO
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