Creamy Pesto Dip with American Grana®

Serve this delicious basil-based pesto and cottage cheese dip with pretzel chips or crackers.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
1 cup (8 ounces) cottage cheese
1/4 cup (about 1 ounce) Wisconsin American Grana® Cheese, grated*
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cooking Directions:

1. In skillet, over medium heat, cook onion and garlic in butter until tender.
   
2. In blender or food processor, blend onion mixture, basil, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese and lemon juice until blended and smooth.
   
3. Chill at least 1 hour to blend flavors.
   
4. Serve as a dip with pretzel chips.
   

Makes 6 appetizer servings.

*If unavailable, substitute with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Variation: 1 cup parsley sprigs and 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves may be substituted for fresh basil.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.