All summer long this was my “beach day” staple. Every “Fun Friday” we packed up the beach bag, sun umbrella, sunscreen, water socks, sunglasses and volleyball and headed out to the beach to soak up some rays with the rest of the Italians. Into my cooler went a couple of Peroni (beers), waters, Shrimp Cabbage Dip and Mexican Seven Layer bean dip. It was just so easy to prepare, pack and eat on the beach.
We were always happy to pull out our dip and pop open a Peroni under the hot Lazio sun and dip away. It always caused a pack of voracious wolves to descend, huddling around the Mexican Dip! I guess it doesn’t matter if you are Americans, Australians or Italians, EVERYONE loves Seven Layer Mexican Bean Dip!
Mexican Seven Layer Bean Dip
Ingredients:
1 can of Refried beans or in Italy you can use a can of whole Bertolli beans and fry them up in a skillet, smashing them with a fork as you go. I always add a little chili powder and garlic just for the fun of it.
Guacamole (smash one avocado up in a bowl with a squeeze of lime, a pinch of salt, a dash of chili powder and a little minced garlic)
Sour cream (in Italy it’s labeled Panna Acido)
Shredded cheese such as Monterey Jack, cheddar or provolone
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped black onions
Choped green onions
Salsa or hot sauce
Tortilla chips
Instructions:
if you have to mash the beans yourself you may want to do this at least an hour in advance so the beans can cool)
Spoon the beans on a plate, then layer the guacamole, followed by sour cream, followed by shredded cheese, then each of the veggies. This is where it gets its name “Seven Layer” I think this is more than seven layers but I always forget something so it works out one way or another. Serve with chips and happily dip away!
Then the rest of the toppings
Recipe Index:
Dinner Ideas from Around the World:
Asian Cuisine:
Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce (Published August 18, 2017)
Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef Salad (Bun Bo Xoa) Published March 12, 2018
Gyoza (Potstickers or Chinese Dumplings) Published August 27,2018)
Kung Pao Chicken (Published August 23, 2018)
Italian Cuisine:
Pesto Genovese (published September 21, 2018
Saltimbocca (Roman Style Veal Scallopini) (Published February 18, 2018)
Steamed Mussels and Fettuccine (Cozze e Fettuccine) Published May 4, 2019)
Shrimp Risotto (Risotto alla Gamberi) Published June 2, 2018)
Pasta Carbonara (Published May 12, 2018)
Arancini (Italian Fried Rice Balls) Published June 4, 2018)
Ossobuco alla Milanese (Milan Style Veal Shanks & Saffron Risotto) Published June 20, 2018)
Lasagna Bolognese (Published Aug 3, 2018)
Eggplant Parmesan (Published August 29, 2018)
Cacio e Pepe (Published August 28, 2018)
Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage butter (published October 2, 2018)
Polenta with Sausage and Port Rib Ragu (published November 9, 2018)
Polenta “french fries” (published November 14, 2018)
Pumpkin Risotto (Zucca) (published November 7, 2018)
Jewish Style Fried Artichokes (Carciofi all Giudia) 9published October 13, 2018)
Porcini Fettuccine (published October 12, 2018)
Beef and Barley Soup (Zuppa alla Manzo e Farro) published October 6, 2018
American Cuisine:
Southern Fried Chicken (published September 11, 2018)
Spiced Chickpea Salad with Roasted Cauliflower (Published April 22, 2018)
Beef Bone Broth (published September 24, 2018)
Classic American Hamburger (published September 25, 2018)
Oven Roasted Herb Chicken (published September 29, 2018)
Mexican Cuisine:
Shrimp Tacos (Published September 19, 2018)
Chili Rellinos (published August 16, 2018)
Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup (November 19, 2018)
Other Dishes of the World:
Paella (Published November 21, 2018)
Babaganush (Middle Eastern Roasted Eggplant Dip) Published July 29, 2017
Keto Friendly Recipes
Saltimbocca (Roman Style Veal Scallopini) (Published February 18, 2018)
Eggplant Parmesan (Published August 29, 2018)
Ossobuco alla Milanese (Milan Style Veal Shanks & Saffron Risotto) Published June 20, 2018)
Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef Salad (Bun Bo Xoa) Published March 12, 2018
Kung Pao Chicken (Published August 23, 2018)
Beef Bone Broth (published September 24, 2018)
Classic American Hamburger (published September 25, 2018)
Hollandaise Sauce and Eggs Benedict (published September 23, 2018)
Italian Roasted Vegetable Platter (published September 13, 2018)
Oven Roasted Herb Chicken and Potatoes (published Sept 29, 2018)
Chili Rellinos (published August 16, 2018)
Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup (November 19, 2018)
Side DIshes:
Festive Pineapple Sesame Coleslaw (published September 14, 2018)
Italian Roasted Vegetable Platter (published September 13, 2018)
Pear Gorgonzola Salad (published September 26, 2018)
Desserts:
Cherry Pie (published May 20, 2017)
Homemade Berry Pie (published July 23, 2017)
Almond Roca (published February 22, 2018)
Homemade Banana Cream Pie (published May 10, 2018)
Cannoli (published August 3, 2017)
Easy Authentic Tiramasu (published May 3, 2018)
Ooey Gooey Blonde Brownies (published August 11, 2018)
Old Fashioned Peach Crisp (published August 1, 2018
Classic Canned Peaches (published August 8, 2018)
Noyaux (Almond Extract made from stone fruit pits) Published August 7, 2017
Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream (Published May 25, 2017
Fudgy Chocolate Brownies (published September 30, 2018)
Classic American Apple PIe (published November 17, 2018)
Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Mousse and Berry Sauce (published October 10, 2018)
Cinnamon Spiced Persimmon Cookies (published November 23, 2018)
Breakfast:
Whole Wheat Waffles (published August 12, 2017)
Dutch Babies (published May 30, 2018)
Hollandaise Sauce and Eggs Benedict (published September 23, 2018)
Canning and Preserving:
Noyaux (French bitter almond extract from stone fruit) (Published Aug 7, 2017)
Sweet & Spicy Pickles (Published July 6, 2017)
Canned Peaches (Published August 23, 2018)
Ricotta from Powdered Milk (Published Aug 5, 2017)
Candied Orange Peel (Published September 12, 2018)
For other great travel articles about living in Italy or Traveling around Europe, try one from our Archives:
A Morning Run in Nettuno (Published September 10, 2017)
A Visit to Castelli Romani (Published September 13, 2017)
Dinner for Six (Published October 1, 2017)
Italian Cooking School (Published October 8, 2017)
Culinary Tour of Napoli (Published November 17, 2017)
Changing Seasons in Italy (Published November 25, 2017)
Our Trip to Englands Cotswolds (Published January 12, 2018)
Cooking with Pasquale (Published January 28, 2018)
A Tour of the Garden of Ninfa (Published May 7, 2018)
A Trip to Montefiascone (Published May 17, 2018)
San Gimignano, a visit to a Tuscan Hill Town (Published June 9, 2018)
Tuscan Hot Springs of San Filippo & Saturnia (Published June 13, 2018)
August in Sperlonga (Published August 30, 2018)
Villas, Palaces and Fortresses (Published November 25, 2018)
Articles about Tiny House “Homesteading” in California:
The Beginning of a Blog (Published May 18, 2017)
The Cherry Tree (Published May 20, 2017)
How to Roast Your Own Coffee Beans (Published May 22, 2017)
Successful Square Foot Gardening (Published May 23, 2017)
Yosemite (Published June 7, 2017)
My Tiny House (Published June 15, 2017)
