Dirty Martini Dip

We took a Fall break to Colorado to see Devilish Nephew and Fam.  Well really to see those Littlest Devils.  My Oklahoma Sooners just happened to be playing a big away game, so of course a huge watch party ensued.  The night before the big party however, we wanted to have a nice family dinner.  Mr. Devilish Dish made Chicken Saltimbocca and Garlic Bread.  It was a late meal, because of course I have to make sure the Littlest Devils get their bath, put on their jammies, brush their teeth, say their prayers and then I get conned into reading about a dozen books and singing a whole lot of lullabies.  I probably should not admit their favorite bedtime songs include "Boomer Sooner", "Oklahoma" and "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma." By the time and literal song and dance is done, sometimes we don't eat until 8:00 pm.  In addition to Mr. Devilish Dish and I making the trip out to Colorado, Little Devil and her boyfriend came to visit, along with one of the Devilish Nephew's fraternity brothers and his wife and children.  Once the kids were all down, we had nice grown up meal planned for 8 adults.  The Chicken Saltimbocca is so good, it stands alone, and we decided all we needed to serve with it was some crusty bread.  But I thought while Mr. Devilish Dish was preparing dinner we could use some kind of appetizer or antipasto.  Literally on the fly I the grocery store I settled on a Dirty Martini Dip.  I was so tired from cooking, shopping, singing and dancing I needed a simple appetizer to prepare.  I've seen this several times, with the olives chopped up and served in martini glasses, but I thought serving it on a big platter would be fun with a couple of different kinds of olives.  Honestly I wish I would have doubled the recipe, spread the dip onto a big charcuterie board and added several kinds of olives.  That's definitely happening soon.  It was truly a fun appetizer, light and tasty and not too filling before our delicious main course. 

A great party appetizer.

Combine the ingredients in a 
food processor or mixer and blend
until smooth.

Spread mixture onto a platter.
Drizzle with good quality 
olive oil.

Top with your favorite
pitted olives.
We love the Castelvetrano olives.
I opted for the Jalapeno stuffed since the
dip already contained blue cheese.
(Normally blue cheese stuffed
olives are my go-to for a good martini.)

This is such a pretty alternative to
just chopping the olives and 
serving the dip in a bowl.

DIRTY MARTINI DIP

8 ounces cream cheese
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
2-3 tablespoons olive brine
1 tablespoon vodka
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
zest of 1 lemon
good quality olive oil for drizzling
1 jar of olives (Your choice - or use several different kinds.  I used Castelvetrano Olives and Jalapeno Stuffed Olives)
Chips of your choice for dipping

In a food processor or mixer combine the cream cheese crumbled blue cheese, olive brine, vodka, white pepper, garlic powder and lemon zest.  Mix until smooth.  Spread the dip onto a plate or platter.  Drizzle with olive oil and place the olives on top.  Serve with pita chips, crackers, pretzel chips or tortilla chips for dipping.