Dips, Salsa and Sauces
Dips can be made with an endless variety of ingredients, and can certainly brighten up any party, holiday or event! Dips can also add amazing flavor, texture and color to all sorts of foods used for dipping, including crudités (bite-size fresh raw vegetables), Baked Crostini or Broiled Crostini, Pita Chips, Tortilla Chips, potato chips, corn chips, naan bread and more. Dips, salsa and sauce recipes are all included on these pages, simply because they all essentially share the same purpose - to add flavor and texture to other foods.
Dip recipes can be all over the map, and can be made creamy, cheesy, thick or somewhat runny. The basic ingredients of dips (before meats, vegetables or other
ingredients are added) can vary greatly, and can include sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, and one or more variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Monterey jack, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, goat cheese, Parmesan cheese, cottage cheese, and the list goes on! When it comes to the filler ingredients that truly define each dip recipe, the sky's the limit! Meat (including chicken, turkey, beef or pork), seafood (such as crab, shrimp or even salmon) and vegetables (such as red or green bell peppers, spinach, artichoke hearts, tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and onions (yellow, purple or green) can add color, flavor and amazing texture to dips. Dips can also be served chilled (referred to as cold dips) or hot after having baked in the oven (referred to as hot dips), both of which are usually still delicious even when cooled to room temperature. Leftover hot dips are also easily reheated in the microwave. Let's also not forget those wonderful dips that contain avocado, chick peas or garbanzo beans (as with hummus) and olives (as with Tapenade). One thing is for certain, when planning for a party, holiday or any event, dips are one of the easiest appetizers to prepare. Once you decide on the best dip recipe to suit your event, all you'll need is some accompanying crackers, plain crostini (baked or broiled), fresh raw vegetables (crudités), or other dippable food, and you're set to go!
Dip recipes can be all over the map, and can be made creamy, cheesy, thick or somewhat runny. The basic ingredients of dips (before meats, vegetables or other
Dip, Salsa and Sauce Recipes ▼
This homemade Chipotle Ranch dip recipe is a zesty "pumped up" version of traditional ranch dip recipes, in that the ingredients include dried chipotle chili powder as well as some smooth salsa (you choose the spice strengh). This full-flavored dip recipe is delicious served with a variety of foods, including fresh raw vegetables, buffalo wings, chicken strips or nuggets, fried potato skins and much more!
This Dijon Cheese Dip is delicious served with a large variety of party foods, such as fresh cut vegetables, flat breads like pita bread or naan, tortilla chips and little smoked sausages. This tasty cheese dip can also be served as a topping over baked potatoes (instead of sour cream) with bacon bits and more chopped green onion tops or chives, or over cooked vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, etc.
This Festive Nachos recipe combines tender lean ground beef, salsa, black beans, avocado and tomato chunks, ripe olives and a hint of chili powder. You can serve this dish with homemade tortilla chips and/or warm corn or flour tortillas for filling. Photo shows Festive Nachos with served with sides of sour cream, pickled jalapenos and Creamy Guacamole. You can kick this nachos recipe up a notch with a few added ingredients.
Fresh Herb Yogurt Dip is a light and healthy dip that tastes fabulous with assorted fresh vegetables. It is made with yogurt, fresh dill, fresh parsley, lemon juice and lemon zest (optional), along with some honey and Dijon mustard, giving it a sweet and tangy flavor boost. Photo shows Fresh Herb Yogurt Dip served with baby carrots, broccoli, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes, but you can add almost any fresh vegetable to the mix.
Whether served as a dip, garnish or spread, Guacamole is always a big hit and a delicious way to get a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals and omega 3's. Making guacamole is a great way to use up those avocados that have been sitting on the counter or in the refrigerator a few too many days and have become a little too soft. This guacamole recipe uses ripened avocados, seasonings, sour cream and some fresh lemon juice.
Making your own hummus is as easy as pushing the button on your food processor! This Homemade Hummus recipe comes with an easy homemade baked pita chip recipe made from pita bread, giving the pita chips a healthy quality as well. This hummus recipe is made with garbanzo beans (chickpeas), tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and a small amount of cayenne pepper, and tastes fabulous with the pita chips!
