#29 Cheesy, Oozy Guacamole Bean Dip

The Kind (for) Life!

This is one of my all time favorite things to make!  It's from Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet.  Lynzie and I have decided that this is the book we will recommend/lend to people when they ask for a good starting place towards vegetarianism and veganism.  When the book first came out, I was hesitant to purchase it because the first half of the book is info and I was mainly interested in recipes.  Lynzie bought it right away and raved about it. It wasn't until Alicia came to Vroman's bookstore in Pasadena for a book signing that I caved and purchased my own copy.  I am SO glad I did!  Even very pregnant, she was so bright and bubbly, down to earth, friendly and so nice (even to the grumpy, confrontational man that hogged the question/answer session) she easily became my favorite vegan celebrity!  I love how approachable she makes the lifestyle and sprinkles in some macrobiotic education too.  On to the food.....

One for the Family and one for the Slumber Party!!!

I've made this dip for many potlucks and my family requests it for dinner a lot too.  I wasn't too keen on heating up avocado and sour cream (I use one tub of Tofutti brand, it's 12 oz. the recipe calls for 2-8oz containers but the one has always worked out well for me)  but I am glad I gave it a try.  Everyone raves about it and comments on how it's so much better than a traditional 7-layer dip.  It's so true!  I do reduce the amount of Daiya on top.  I agree with Lynz that it's flavor can easily overpower a dish.  My 2 cup bag was enough for both of the dips.  Unfortunately I only have a picture of it before baking...I took it to our grown up slumber party and we tore in to it before I had a chance to take a warm, gooey, post heating picture.

Visit Alicia's website for inspiration, rad products, and tons of great information!

And buy her book!  Don't wait around like I did!