Holiday Celebration + Sun-Dried Tomato Dip {#MezzettaMemories}

I love this time of year and I'll use any excuse to have a celebration. On this occasion it was just the hubby and I, but we were celebrating the fact that we were 99% done with our Christmas shopping on December 1st! That's a big accomplishment for the Mueller Family. I whipped up a favorite sun-dried tomato dip, crackers, cheeses, olives, and threw it all on a wood board. What made it more festive was our boxwood wreath, the Christmas music in the background, and the beautiful color of the pinot noir we were drinking.The holiday season brings so many memories of being with my family in the kitchen and celebrating the season. I think that's the reason you'll find me in the kitchen more often during the holiday season - making cookies, homemade hot chocolate, hosting a holiday brunch, or just enjoying a simple cheese plate with great ingredients. This season is very special to me as it brings family closer together. And although my side of the family may be living in the West Coast, and my friends scattered all over the world, I feel they are with me whenever I'm in the kitchen.Recently, Mezzetta invited to participate in their #MezzettaMemories campaign. I have long used their products so I immediately said yes. This recipe in particular brings memories of our time living in South America. The Christmas we lived in Peru, we actually traveled to Chile to visit our very good friends that were living there. My friend Lisa made this recipe and I still remember the day she made it. It's been my go-to dip recipe ever since and I love that it brings back memories of the Christmas we spent with them. I love to make the dip as an addition to a cheese plate or with a few other appetizers.Mezzetta is hosting a daily giveaway. Find details on how to enter after the recipe. Also, Mezzetta is offering a downloadable $.50 off coupon on any Mezzetta products. The coupon is located on the Mezzetta landing page and is available from December 1st through December 31st.Sun-Dried Tomato Dip {#MezzettaMemories}1/3 cup Mezzetta sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped (about 10 tomatoes)8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature1/2 cup sour cream1/2 cup good mayonnaise10 dashes, hot red pepper sauce1 teaspoon kosher salt3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper3 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts), dividedPuree the sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, red pepper sauce, salt and pepper in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the scallions and pulse a few times until evenly mixed. Serve at room temperature.Mezzetta Holiday Gift Basket GiveawayEnter the Daily Holiday Gift Basket Giveaway for a chance to win daily prizes. The giveaway will run from December 1st through December 31st. That means there are 31 daily prizes!To enter, entrants must visit the Mezzetta landing page and enter their name, email, address and favorite holiday memory. Each day a winner will be selected at random. Prizes will be shipped within 2 weeks.Mezzetta Favorites Holiday Gift Basket (31 Winners – Daily) includes:• 100% Italian Estate Grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil• Golden Greek Peperoncini• Garlic Stuffed Olives• Castelvetrano Olives• Pitted Greek Kalamata Olives• Roasted Marinated Red & Yellow Sweet Bell Peppers• Cocktail Onions• 1 Apron (from House Party contents)• 1 Metal Olive Spoon (from House Party contents)• 1 Tote Bag (from House Party contents)• 1 Ceramic BowlThis post is sponsored by Mezzetta. Thank you for supporting the brands I love and that make A DOSE OF PRETTY happen. All opinions and expressions are my own.