Nacho Average Nachos

These were such a fun way to vary taco night. We had different chips, different cheeses, and beans. I topped them with pickled onions and then we had salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and elote street corn.

Nacho Average Nachos
Ingredients: (for 4)

flavored tortilla chips (mine were some local ones at my grocery store El Nacho – Hot Honey, Mango, & Lime)
Refried black beans
1/4 cup white queso dip
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
pickled onions
salsa

Directions:
Warm the black beans and add a splash of water to make it spoonable.
Preheat the oven to 400-degrees.
Spread a layer of chips and top with shredded cheeses, queso, spoonfuls of beans.

Put into the oven for just 2-3 minutes to melt.
Remove from the oven, and build another layer. Add it back to the oven to melt and crisp.
Repeat for another layer and top with salsa and extra cheese.

Add pickled onions and any toppings you choose!
Enjoy!

These were really good. 3 out of 4 of us ate them. We had street corn, some tiny quesadillas, and more chips so there was something for everyone – always the goal. Later I thought about a spicy ranch drizzle which would be fun! I’d also for for chopped tomatoes.

These chips are amazing. They were a touch sweet but not spicy to us. Sometimes we get the tortilla chips made in house at the grocery store. The layers getting a quick chance to melt is the key to good nachos so there aren’t all naked chips at the bottom!

Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip with Honey & Pistachios

No need to like cottage cheese for this – I sure don’t! This dip is smooth, the way it should be. There’s honey and crunchy pistachios. Swap in hot honey or any nut or seeds.

Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip with Honey & Pistachios
Ingredients: (serves 4)

1 cup cottage cheese
2 tablespoons honey
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
dash of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup pistachios, chopped

Directions:
Add cottage cheese, half the honey, olive oil, and chili flakes to a food processor or blender.
Blend until smooth.
Spoon into a bowl and top with honey and nuts.
Serve with crackers. Enjoy!

This is so good. It hits all the marks for texture, subtle spice, and sweetness.

Greek Dip with Some Assembly Required

{originally published in 2012 and updated in 2024}

This is the easiest dip ever – no cooking involved…some assembly required. This one is a great alternative to not-as-exciting hummus. It would also be cute on cucumbers as little single bite servings!

Greek Hummus Dip
Ingredients: (serves ~4)

4 oz hummus
2 oz feta
1/2 English cucumber
2/3 cups chopped tomatoes
2 tbs Italian salad dressing
2 tsp Creamy Caesar Dressing

Directions:
Spread hummus onto a plate
Drizzle with Caesar dressing. Then sprinkle feta on top.
Chop cucumbers and tomatoes and toss with dressing.
Spoon (don’t pour) on top of the hummus
Serve with pita, pita chips, wheat thins, or your favorite crackers
Enjoy!

It is a nice alternative to other dips. It is light but filling. I’ve made the topping and assembled on-site when it was time to eat so I can attest to how portable it is.

Cost Breakdown

Hummus: $3.50
Feta $1.99
Cucumber $0.75 (English cuke $2.00)
2 plum tomatoes $1.00
Wheat thins $3.00
Total = $11.49 (for the dip & dippers to serve 6-8 for <$2.00) That’s even using an English cuke which is totally worth it not to have to peel it!

Parmesan Peppercorn Cheeseball

Cheeseballs are so easy and are best when prepped ahead. We had some apps for dinner with this cheeseball and the leftovers are great in lots of uses.

The Three Bite Rule - Parm/Peppercorn Cheeseball

Parmesan Peppercorn Cheeseball
Ingredients:

1 brick cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup grated parmesan, reserving 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon dried herbs (rosemary & oregano, or Italian Seasoning)
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup panko

Directions:
With a stand or hand mixer, mix together the cream cheese, parmesan, pepper, and a sprinkle of salt.

The Three Bite Rule - Parm/Peppercorn Cheeseball

Spoon onto a pice of plastic wrap and twist up into a ball. Let chill for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.

The Three Bite Rule - Parm/Peppercorn Cheeseball

Melt and brown the butter, cooking for about 5 minutes until nutty and brown. Let cool for 5 minutes.

The Three Bite Rule - Parm/Peppercorn Cheeseball

Mix the brown butter with the panko and remaining parmesan. Roll the cheeseball in the brown butter crust.
Spread onto crackers or pieces of baguette.
Enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - Parm/Peppercorn Cheeseball

I love the crunch. It was great on a hefty cracker. I later used leftovers on an egg and cheese sandwich and ohhmygosh, it elevated it. Put it on a burger! Spread it on toast! Use some on a turkey sandwich!

A trio of cheeseballs would be so fun with this parmesan peppercorn cheeseball, and this cheez-it crusted one, and this bacon crusted one!

Grilled Peach & Ricotta Toasts

Eat this as toast, eat this as an open-faced grilled cheese, eat this as a pizza or flatbread – whatever you do, make yourself some grilled peach & ricotta {insert format here} and it will wow you.

The Three Bite Rule - Peach Ricotta Toast

Also, for the record, whenever I say peach I likely mean nectarine since I’m not into the fuzz.

Grilled Peach & Ricotta Toasts
Ingredients: (for 2 people, or 4 app servings)

1 peach
1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
1/2 cup ricotta
2 tablespoons honey
basil or mint

Directions:
Slice the peach and grill until the outside is a little caramelized but not too soft.

The Three Bite Rule - Peach Ricotta Toast

Toast the bread (in a toaster, on the grill, or in a skillet lightly brushed with olive oil or butter).
Spread on ricotta, a sprinkle of salt & pepper, and the peaches.

The Three Bite Rule - Peach Ricotta Toast

Chiffonade the basil and sprinkle on top. Then, drizzle with honey.

The Three Bite Rule - Peach Ricotta Toast

Enjoy!

This has so many possibilities. It was lunch this time but would be great on little baguette rounds for snacks! I’d also love it with another piece of bread that has some melted cheese like a panini! Swap the drizzle of honey with balsamic reduction for a little more contrast if you’d like! Not as into ricotta (it is ok, nobody is) use cream cheese or marscapone or goat cheese.