Why it works: Spread and sauce share more aroma than cooks usually use. They rank in the top 2% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 45 recipes. Both carry ethanol, which smells alcoholic, ethereal. The science ↓
Tavern Dip
Ingredients
Directions
Combine the ingredients in a 1-½ quart bowl.
Microwave on medium, cooking 6 to 8 minutes, rotating one-quarter turn every minute until the mixture is done.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
Counts 5 of 6 ingredients. The other 1 aren't in our nutrition table and add nothing above, so the real totals are higher.
What these numbers assume: 5 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese | 1 oz (28g) cheddar | 113 |
| Cream Cheese | 1 oz (28g) | 99 |
| Beer | 1/4 cup (60ml) for cooking | 43 |
| Bacon | 1 slice cooked (8g) | 43 |
| Soy Sauce | 1 tbsp (15ml) | 9 |
| Spread | not in our table | 0 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
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Spread + saucetop 2% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together45 recipes
Shared aroma: ethanol (alcoholic, ethereal).
-
Cream cheese + cheesetop 4% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together473 recipes
Shared aroma: ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (fruity, apple).
-
Cheese + beertop 11% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together174 recipes
Shared aroma: 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5h)-furanone (spice).
-
Cream cheese + spreadtop 12% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together101 recipes
Shared aroma: decanoic acid (soapy, waxy).
-
Cream cheese + beertop 15% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together47 recipes
Shared aroma: ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (fruity, apple).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Cream cheese
- Provides a creamy, smooth base and body for the dip.
- Old english cheese spread
- Adds sharp cheese flavor and helps the dip stay smooth and melty.
- Dark beer
- Adds liquid and a malty, slightly bitter flavor that thins the dip.
- Imitation bacon bits
- Adds a smoky, savory flavor and a bit of texture.
The step that matters
Microwaving with rotation. Microwaves heat unevenly, so rotating the bowl every minute helps the dip warm and melt evenly. Stopping once it is done keeps the cheese from becoming grainy or oily.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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