All chips, no dip
The holiday season really is the most wonderful time of the year. We are surrounded by friends and family, we get to reminisce on what we are grateful for and getting gifts doesn’t hurt one bit. However, what is easily the best part of the holiday season, is the food. Whether it is turkey and gravy for Thanksgiving or gingerbread cookies and eggnog for Christmas, there is no denying the fact that there is a lot to look forward to this season.
If you are planning on entertaining during the holidays, one thing you need on standby is a great dip recipe. This is important for casual snacks like chips and vegetable sticks. The tips below will help you create a dip with a kick to ensure that you start your holiday meals the right way.
Tip #1: Know Your Audience
Who you are serving will determine the type of dip to prepare. Age and food preferences are the most important determining factors in this case. What it takes to please one group might not hit home for another. Therefore, before you narrow in on a specific dip for the holiday festivities, make sure you understand what your guests like. To help put things in perspective, here are a few groups and what may work for them:
- Children: They would appreciate dips with a mix of sweet and savory in which case yogurt and peanut butter dips would be an instant hit.
- Adults in general: This is the easiest group to cater to and literally, anything savory would do. So try out dips like pesto, hummus, and guacamole recipes and you should have no trouble.
- Vegans and Vegetarians: The good thing about dips is that, for the most part, they are made with vegan-friendly ingredients. So knock yourself out with options like guacamole, pesto, artichoke, and spinach dip.
Tip #2: Get Inspired by the Theme
If your holiday party has a specific theme then this would definitely help you come up with a perfect recipe. Say, for example, you wanted to go with the winter wonderland theme for your Christmas soirée. You might want to stick with the all-white theme and go with yogurt-based dips. You could also add peppermint for a nice icy kick. Whatever the theme, you could go with recipes that complement the vibe either aesthetically or in terms of the flavor profile.
Tip #3: Pick Great Ingredients
In order to make the perfect dip for your holiday, you need to make sure you have great ingredients. Fresh fruits and vegetables are usually a great place to start and will offer your dip life and character with every bite. Trust me, fresh homemade salsa will outdo the bottled stuff any day.
While we are still talking about ingredients, it is important to ensure that you pick ingredients that work together. For the late 2019 season, in particular, you can really never go wrong with the sweet and savory combination. So do not be afraid to add fruits or yogurt to your bacon or peanut butter.
Tip #4: Work with Fun New Recipes
If you want something with a kick then you need to get a little creative with your recipes. Give your guests something they haven’t tried– and possibly won’t have the chance to try again until your next holiday bash. Here are a few awesome ideas that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
- Pumpkin pie dip
- Red Pepper and basil dip
- Baba ganoush dip
- Edible cookie dough or cake batter dip
What’s more, there are healthy versions of all of these and more!
Tip #5: Pick the Right Sides
Finally, the dip alone will not make the show. You need to find the perfect sides to complement all the flavors. If you are going for a meaty, seafood or cheesy dip, you are better off picking bread as your main side. If you are going for something light and fresh like hummus or guacamole then vegetable sticks are the way to go. If you are going with a sweeter dip, fruit pairs nicely. However, if you are in doubt, just serve some organic chips. You can never go wrong with them whether your dip is sweet, savory, warm, cold or a mix of everything.
Bonus Pro Tip: Secret Ingredient
Dazzle your guests with a secret ingredient that comes with a nutritional power punch, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA), a rare but highly nutritious type of blue-green algae. With a mild taste that is easily hidden among other ingredients, AFA will heighten the nutritional value of any cool or cold dip. Remember, this secret ingredient should not be used for warm or hot dips.
Bottom Line
With these five important tips, you have all you need to know to make a banging dip for your holiday parties. Whether you are entertaining the whole clan or just making snacks for your family Christmas movie marathon, you should now be able to make the perfect dip. Just remember that the most important thing is to use fresh ingredients. With this and a touch of creativity, you will have the perfect bowl to accompany your casual snacks this holiday.