Phillip Sweet was the voice that rounded out the LBT sound. Karen, Jimi, and I had begun singing together, but something was missing. We loved the sound we were making but felt like we needed a big low voice to round out what we had. As soon as Phillip joined, we knew our sound was complete. We all grew up singing harmony with our families, so the harmony came naturally and easily. Over the years we have sung harmony just about any which way you can sing it . . . and loved every bit of it!
I always like to have a snack ready when we get together for our brainstorming and songwriting sessions. When it comes to snacks, Phillip is a chip man, and his flavor of choice is sour cream and onion. Just the other night, he and I were sitting over some gloriously delicious onion dip the caterers had put in our dressing room. We desperately wanted to figure out what was in it so that we could make it. He loves food, and I love to make him happy by cooking for him, so this is my version. He is a fan of this baked-until-bubbling dip, and I am a fan of his!
Makes 3 cups
3 CUPS FINELY CHOPPED VIDALIA ONION
3 CUPS GRATED MEXICAN CHEESE BLEND
1 CUP MAYONNAISE
4 OUNCES CREAM CHEESE, AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
¼ TEASPOON RED PEPPER FLAKES
¼ TEASPOON SALT
1 TABLESPOON GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE
¼ TEASPOON PAPRIKA
TORTILLA CHIPS OR TOASTED BREAD SLICES, FOR SERVING
1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
2. Combine the onion, cheese blend, mayonnaise, cream cheese, pepper flakes, and salt in a large bowl and mix well. Spread the mixture evenly in a small baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the Parmesan and paprika and bake for 25 minutes.
3. Serve warm with tortilla chips or toasted bread slices.
SOUTHERN SIMPLE: This also makes a doggone good filling for a grilled cheese sandwich!
SOUTHERN SIMPLE: Another favorite quick dip is Cheesy Peach Pepper Jelly Dip. Just combine 8 ounces room-temperature cream cheese and 6 ounces Texas peach habanero pepper jelly. Serve it on crackers and make some folks happy!
SOUTHERN MOTHER: This cheese dip is great with celery and carrot sticks. Dipping makes even vegetables fun.
SOUTHERN SKINNY: Use ⅓-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel) and low-fat mayonnaise and serve with baked chips to cut a few calories.