WARM BLUE CHEESE DIP

7 bacon slices
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup half and half
3 oz blue cheese, chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
2 tbsp chopped smoked almonds (for garnish)
crackers, bread and/or vegetables (for serving)

Chop bacon slices and cook in skillet until almost crisp. Drain excess fat from skillet, add minced garlic and cook until bacon is crisp.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth and blend in half and half. Mix bacon mixture with blue cheese and chives. Put into a 2 cup ovenproof baking dish and cover with foil.

Bake about 45 minutes.

TO SERVE:
Sprinkle with chopped smoked almonds and serve with crackers, bread and/or vegetables.

Makes about 1 2/3 cups, 16 servings
Source: Jeff Viets