Twila Fall Issue & BLT Hummus Dip

This weekend we're headed to Charlottesville for the UVA vs. VMI football game. It'll be my second VMI game of the season, and this one is definitely more anticipated!

What I'm looking forward to:

A scenic drive. Seeing friends. Sundresses. The first day of fall is predicted to be in the 80s. YESSS! Tailgating. Day drinking makes me feel young and rebellious. Staying in a hotel. Is this weird? A hotel room is a vacation to me. Local late-night munchies. People keep mentioning dumplings...? I'm not sold on that yet. Sunday morning apple picking. Apple cider donuts = perfect boyfriend bribe

What I am not looking forward to: 

The actual game. Why are they always so long? I need to figure out how to make the game into a game so I don't feel the urge to a) fall asleep, b) drink more, c) eat more, d) run away to go shopping. Boyfriend & company's outrage as the game inevitably takes a nosedive - which results is b) above. Realizing that college freshmen actually look a lot like high school freshmen. Awkward shoulder sunburns...but a suntan is a suntan, right?

For away games, we typically attend the VMI alumni tailgating events. It so much easier than trying to coordinate all the setup and F&B logistics! But I have to say, after reading through this season's Twila magazine, I really wish this weekend was a home game...There are pages-upon-pages of tailgating ideas, featured in their first official magazine photo shoot! Seriously, it's exciting stuff!

(click to visit magazine website)

Amongst the yummy snacks, football fashion, and gorgeous decor is my recipe for BLT hummus dip. It's creamy hummus with a hint of sour cream, salty bacon, crisp lettuce and slightly sweet tomatoes...indulgent in the right way, if you know what I mean.

I also see it as my answer to a "cream cheese" saturated dip category. It seems like every dip, hot or cold, has cream cheese in it, which is something that I refuse to put up with! I recognize I'm the strange one for not liking it. BUT there are so many delicious real food alternatives to this processed, ambiguous "cheese". Hummus is just as blank of a slate and comes with an extra punch of protein.

Once the bacon is cooked (I like baking mine in the oven on a sheet covered in tinfoil for an easy cleanup!), this dip comes together in a matter of minutes and can be served with practically anything you want: bagel chips, pita crisps, wheat thins, or toasted french bread slices. So let the tailgating commence!

BLT Hummus Dip

Servings: ~3 cups 

1 1/4 cups (1 container) store-bought plain hummus
1/2 cup sour cream
1 package bacon
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 package shredded lettuce

• Cook bacon according to directions on package. Place on paper towels to drain and allow to come to room temperature. Chop cooled bacon into small crumbles.
• In a large bowl, mix together hummus and sour cream. Stir in about 1/2 - 3/4 cup bacon crumbles and reserve the rest for topping. Place hummus mixture in serving bowl and smooth down. 
• Slice tomatoes and layer over bacon hummus, followed by lettuce. Garnish with bacon crumbles and a few tomato pieces. Serve with bagel chips, pita crisps, wheat thins, or toasted french bread slices.

Tip: This tastes best after letting the bacon-hummus mixture sit in the fridge overnight, which allowed the smokiness of the bacon to really blend with the rest of the dip.