mmmmm, mondays: italian five layer dip

believe it or not, i just had someone write me a message today asking me for this recipe. it was meant to be that it was also on the recipe docket for the day. this dip is amazing. it is great warmed up or cold. i eat it with every sort of bread or cracker i can find. i served it at a book club meeting, a neighborhood bunco game and it will probably be on the super bowl snack roster as well. it's a great way to switch up chips and salsa to something a little more delicious. enjoy

italian five layer dip

1 cup pesto sauce (if you've never made your own pesto, click here for an easy recipe or pick some up at 

         the store. )

6 oz. goat cheese

1/2 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup marinated roasted red peppers (in a jar)

1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes (in a jar)

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 cup pine nuts

in a small bowl, combine softened goat cheese and ricotta cheese. mix until smooth and spreadable. 

dice the roasted red peppers and sun dried tomatoes. mix the red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, garlic and red pepper flakes into a thick paste. if the mixture seems dry, add a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.

layer the dip in a glass dish for the prettiest effect. begin by spreading out a layer of pesto sauce, completely covering the bottom of the dish. layer the goat and ricotta cheese mixture over the pesto, spreading carefully so the pesto doesn't get mixed in. thirdly, add the sun dried tomato and red pepper layer. top with a layer of parmesan and then a layer of pine nuts. serve with bread or crackers for a crowd pleasing snack. enjoy!