Smoked Tomato Mozzarella Dip

So, let’s talk about one of my all-time favorite party starters – Smoked Tomato Mozzarella Dip! Trust me, folks, this dip is so good it’ll have your taste buds doing a happy dance. Now, let me walk you through how to whip up this crowd-pleaser in a jiffy.

How to Make Smoked Tomato Mozzarella Dip

Alrighty, first things first, let’s gather our ingredients. You’ll need:

• 2 cups of cherry tomatoes (or any small tomatoes you’ve got handy)
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise (the creamy stuff, folks)
• 1/4 cup of sour cream (gotta have that tang!)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced (more if you’re feeling bold)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste (because seasoning is everything, my friends)
• Wood chips or pellets for smoking (more on that later)

Now, onto the magic-making process:

1. Preheat Your Smoker: Fire up your smoker and set it to around 225°F. We want that gentle, smoky heat to work its wonders on our tomatoes.
2. Smoke Those Tomatoes: Toss your cherry tomatoes in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then, spread them out on a baking sheet and pop ’em in the smoker for about 30-45 minutes, or until they’re beautifully charred and smoky.
3. Mix It Up: Once your tomatoes are smoked to perfection, chop ’em up into small pieces and mix ’em in a bowl with the shredded mozzarella, minced garlic, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Give it all a good stir until everything’s nice and combined.
4. Bake Until Bubbly: Transfer your cheesy, tomato-y goodness into a baking dish and pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until it’s hot and bubbly.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Once your dip is all melty and irresistible, serve it up with your favorite dippers – crusty bread, tortilla chips, veggie sticks, you name it!

What type of wood/pellets to use for this recipe?

Now, let’s talk wood chips or pellets. When it comes to smoking those tomatoes, you want a wood that’ll complement their flavor without overpowering them. Personally, I’m a fan of using hickory or cherry wood chips for this recipe. They add a subtle smokiness that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the tomatoes and the creaminess of the cheese.

Additional Tips

• Don’t be afraid to get creative with your add-ins! Crumbled bacon, chopped jalapeños, or even a sprinkle of Italian seasoning can take this dip to the next level.
• If you don’t have a smoker, you can achieve a similar flavor by roasting your tomatoes in the oven at a high temperature until they’re charred and caramelized.

What to serve

Now, let’s talk serving options. This dip is a real crowd-pleaser, so feel free to get creative with your dippers. Tortilla chips, baguette slices, pita wedges, or even crisp apple slices all make delicious vehicles for scooping up that cheesy goodness.

What to do with leftovers

If you somehow manage to have leftovers (hey, it happens to the best of us), fear not! This dip reheats like a dream. Just pop it in the microwave or oven until it’s warmed through and melty again, and you’re good to go.

Overall, folks, this Smoked Tomato Mozzarella Dip is a real game-changer when it comes to party snacks. It’s cheesy, smoky, and downright irresistible. So go ahead, whip up a batch for your next shindig, and watch it disappear before your very eyes. Your taste buds will thank you!

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Smoked Tomato Mozzarella Dip

Dive into the delicious world of smoked tomato mozzarella dip! Our easy recipe will be your new go-to appetizer.

Course Snack

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Baking Time 25 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes plum or cherry tomatoes work great
• 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese diced
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup of sour cream
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Wood chips or pellets for smoking hickory or cherry wood recommended

Instructions

Smoking the Tomatoes

1. Preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F. If you're using a grill, set it up for indirect heat.
2. Wash and dry the tomatoes. If using plum tomatoes, cut them in half lengthwise. If using cherry tomatoes, leave them whole.
3. Place the tomatoes in a bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then toss to coat evenly.
4. Arrange the seasoned tomatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Place the baking sheet in the smoker or on the grill. Close the lid and smoke the tomatoes for about 45 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly charred.
5. Once the tomatoes are smoked to perfection, remove them from the smoker and let them cool slightly. Chop them into small pieces and set aside.

Making the Dip

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the smoked tomatoes, diced mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
3. Taste the dip and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. Remember, you can always add more, but you can't take it out!
4. Transfer the dip mixture to a baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
5. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly, and the cheese is melted and golden brown on top.
6. Once the dip is bubbling and irresistible, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve it up with your favorite dippers and watch it disappear before your very eyes!