This weekend we attended a backyard birthday BBQ for a good friend.  It was a “bring something to share” kind of potluck event, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t bring the same Buffalo Chicken Dip, Spinach Artichoke Dip, or Deviled Eggs that I’ve done before.

Then I remembered this fantastic and unusual dip that a member of our American Legion Riders motorcycle group brought to our post Christmas “Blah’s” party.  Reuben (or Rueben) dip!  It has all of the flavors of a classic Reuben Sandwich in a delicious party spread.

As an added bonus I’m including the recipe to make your own tasty homemade Thousand Island Dressing-why pay more for store bought that has who knows what kinds of chemicals in it!

Reuben Dip

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cups shredded swiss cheese (6 oz)
1/2 cup thousand island dressing (see below for homemade)
4 ounces  corned beef, chopped (can use the canned stuff)
1/2 cup drained sauerkraut
rye cocktail bread or crackers

Directions

Pre heat oven to 400.
Mix cream cheese, 1/2 the cheese, thousand Island Dressing and Corned Beef.
Spread in pie plate or quiche dish. Note: if you want to reheat in the microwave don’t use metal!
Layer sauerkraut and remaining cheese on top of corned beef/cheese mixture.
Bake until bubbly around edges, approx 10-15 min
Serve hot with cocktail rye bread or crackers.  To really dress it up serve it in a hollowed out round loaf of bread!

Alternately you can just mix everything together, place in a small crockpot and bring it to the party like that.

Thousand Island Dressing

1/2 C Mayonnaise
2 TBS Ketchup
2 tsp Sweet Pickle Relish

Mix all ingredients together. Store in the refrigerator.

Variations:

Add any of the following depending on your taste & preferences:

1TBS Vinegar, 1TBS Sugar or Sweetener, 1 tsp minced onion, 1 tsp minced garlic, 2TBS minced pepper (yellow, red or green), dash of Tabasco sauce, dash of siriachi sauce, salt and/or pepper.

Also Chili Sauce may be substituted for the ketchup