A metal or wooden spatula would work best for spreading. (Remember, no licking off the utensil until everything is spread.) Top with chili and cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish with chopped green onion and bits of tomato. Serve with tortilla chips.

If you are going to a party and know that an oven is available, I would wait until you arrive before heating up the dish. That is, unless you live in the same place or next door to where the party is being held.

As you can see, this is really a no brainer. Even I can make it, and believe me, I am no chef. Plus, it is something that will be liked by almost everyone at the party. Who cannot like this American delicacy?

There are a great number of permutations on this dish, which can be found through Googling. These are not mentioned in the Kraft book, of course, but by competitors. Hormel, for example, answers one of my questions about microwavability (is that a word?). The Hormel recipe website says "Microwave for 5 minutes on high, stir after 3 minutes." Of course Hormel uses other standards such as Velveeta (mmm Velveeta), Hormel Chili (with or without the beans) and cheese. This will give a somewhat different taste.

A more elaborate and dinner approach is "Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip" suggested by the...

This takes much longer, but surely has a lot more of a hot and zesty taste: 1 Pound Ground beef; 1 Pound Velveeta cheese; 10 Ounces Can of El Paso tomatoes and Green chilies; 2 Teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 Teaspoon Chili powder.
Brown ground beef and drain. Cut cheese in small pieces and put in crock pot; add other ingredients. Turn on High and stir frequently for 1 hour and then turn on Low and let simmer for 5 or 6 hours. This will probably be hot enough to burn your mouth, so supply plenty of wine.

Lastly, here is a list of some of the myriad other things that can be added to change the flavor: garlic, bacon, hot jalapeno cheese, onions, taco seasoning, broccoli, sour cream, ham, horseradish, parmesan cheese, chili powder, olives, pimento cheese, and on and on. Just experiment, you can have a dish for every holiday, dinner, snack, breakfast ... Bon Appetit American style.

References Cited

Hormel Foods. Our Kitchen. "Hormel Chili Cheese Dip." Website retrieved October 22, 2005. http://www.hormel.com/kitchen/recipe.asp?id=1712

Kraft Foods. Kraft Best-Ever Holiday Recipe Collection Description. New York:

Meridith Books, 2000.

The Recipe Link. Chili Cheese Dip. Website retrieved October 22, 2005.

http://www.recipelink.com/mf/31/6627