Joyce's 7 Layer Dip - Perfect for Drinks Party - Gluten Free as well

 
In the early 80’s, ...our friend Joyce Baker, (pictured below, on the right)... note the 80's hair styles... from California, came to stay with us here in Auckland
In those days, New Zealand was a bit behind the eight ball, with current food trends.

We decided to have a party while Joyce was here, (as we did), Tex Mex Food was beginning to
rear it’s head. Up till then, I could make a good chili.
Gilli’s Chili, it got called in fact.
I’ll post it one day, still like it...however, we weren't really together, with some of the real flavours of Mexico.

On this particular visit, Joyce introduced us to the Famous 7 Layer Dip
Joyce was amazed that we didn't have Cilantro here
Of course, that was a language problem
You couldn’t google it then
We finally worked out that Cilantro, in American English,
was, in New Zealand English…Coriander
Plus, I don't think we could get refried beans
So I think we just squashed up some red kidney beans, with some garlic
But now, all of these ingredients are readily available

We were very impressed with this dip and have been making it since

In fact, I selfishly, didn't pass on the recipe, to anyone but our family
Don't know why I did because as it turns out, it came from
a Californian Food magazine and is widely known in the States
So anyone can find it and make it
But we prefer to call it Joyce’s 7 Layer Dip
Very Simple

For the basic recipe of 7 layers
You need
1 tin refried Beans
Guacamole, your favourite recipe
Salsa… Spicy is good. Any good brand
Grated Tasty Cheese
Fresh Tomatoes, finely chopped, seasoned with S & P
Sour Cream flavoured with Taco seasoning
Spring onions and Coriander, chopped  Handful of each
This time, I changed a couple of things,
I made my own Salsa
1 punnet of cherry tomatoes, finely chopped
3 spring onions, finely chopped
1 cob fresh sweet corn, Pop in Microwave for 3 minutes
Slice the kernels off
Add to onions and tomatoes
1 red pepper finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped coriander
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
A little olive oil
Mix well

I could only buy ready made Guacamole
Not as good as homemade unfortunately
To improve it… I mixed it in with the salsa, which also helped the salsa to stick together
So 2 layers became 1!

In fact the Dip this time, was only 5 layers, but still tasted pretty good
To assemble this particular version

Find a nice flat dish about 4 cms (1 1/2 inch) deep
Cover the bottom with the refried beans

Cover with Salsa

The Grated Cheese

Mix the Sour Cream with 3-4 tablespoons of  La Morena Taco seasoning

Spread the sour cream over the grated cheese
Top with the chopped herbs

Best to make a few hours in advance for the flavours to meld

Serve with Taco Chips
Excellent