Half the fun (or more!) of a Big Game gathering is the food. For me, it’s all about the dips — and not just for chips and other dippers. You can use luscious dips to enhance appetizers and meals. How about a steaming bowl of Beef, Bean and Veggie Chili garnished with dollop of Creamy Black Bean Dip or a crusty roll filled with a thick slice of tomato and Killer Artichoke Dip? What about a burger topped with Chipotle Mushroom and Goat Cheese Queso or a turkey and avocado wrap spread with Lemon-Ricotta Kale Dip? What a party!
The fun doesn’t stop there. Here are some great ideas for dips and spreads (often used interchangeably) that will make your party unforgettably unique. You can serve these with chips, of course, or try some of our ideas for outside-the-box dippers.
- Eight-Layer Mediterranean Dip – perfect for corn chips, but equally delicious stuffed into tortillas or taco shells.
- Warm Broccoli Cheese Dip is really, really good on hearty crackers or spooned over hot baked potatoes.
- Serve Tofu Curry Dip with Chives over grilled tempeh burger or with kabobs, or alongside warm naan.
- Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip is an old-time favorite, best served piping hot with garlic bread, toast or crostini.
- Spicy Cheddar-Jack Cauliflower dip is stuffed with hidden veggies and a hint of heat. Try it with cherry tomatoes and peppers of all colors — green, red, yellow and orange. Also wonderful with whole grain pretzels.
- Creamy Chocolate Avocado Dip is ideal for fruit dippers such as apples, pears and bananas. Also good with graham crackers.
- This Creamy Cucumber Dip is made with rich cashews and flavored with dill and chives for an easy dairy-free option. Serve with carrot, zucchini, cucumber and celery sticks.
- Caramelized Onion Dip perfectly complements crunchy baked whole grain pita or potato chips. For variety, try it with oven “fried” potato, rutabaga, carrot, parsnip or turnip slices. Simply coat thinly sliced root vegetables with a little oil, bake at 400°F until crisp and tender.
- Quick and Easy Shrimp Dip is great stuffed into hot baked potatoes or served with lightly steamed (but still crunchy) broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus spears or green beans.
- Cajun Bean Dip with Red Bell Peppers smooth and creamy — great with crunchy veggies carrot sticks and cabbage wedges, or spread it over focaccia or sprouted whole grain bread.
Remember, it’s easy to keep dips and dippers gluten-free and/or dairy-free when desired. Our stores carry a variety of dairy alternatives including yogurt, cheese, sour cream and cream cheese alternatives. If you are avoiding gluten, we have plenty of options including gluten-free breads, bagels, pretzels and crackers.
What’s your favorite party dip? Have an unusual dipper? I’d love to hear about it.