One Great . . . dill pickle dip

With the Kentucky Derby coming up on Saturday afternoon, it's time to think easy party food. Looking through a new book, "The Southern Bite Cookbook," by Stacey Little, this simple recipe jumped out at me. It would fit in perfectly on a buffet with things like pimento cheese spreads and all the other tradition Derby Day foods.

Little's book came out of his blog, southernbite.com, where he chronicles his family's cooking in Alabama.

Dill Pickle Dip 

From "The Southern Bite Cookbook," by Stacey Little (Thomas Nelson, $24.99).

1 1/2 cups finely diced kosher dill pickles
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 to 4 tablespoons pickle juice
Crackers, potato chips or vegetables for serving

COMBINE the pickles, cream cheese, garlic powder and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the pickle juice to get to a dipping consistency. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Serve chilled with crackers, chips or raw vegetables for dipping.

YIELD: About 2 cups.