Dip Day Ideas

Well depends if you want a healthy one or not. Around here (at work) they would shoot me.

If healthy I would go for a homemade mango salsa.

If off the record I would go with a chili dip. Can of hormel chili (no beans), brick of cream cheese, can of diced green chilis, shredded cheddar. You can mix some velvetta in there to really get those arteries clogging. I use a variety of spices also like liquid smoke, cumin, chili powder etc. All depends on the audience i.e. heat and salt....

For a healthy dip I would do homemade salsa or a fruit salsa. But, my favorite dip is a spinach and artichoke dip.

2 small jars of chopped artichoke hearts, 1 package of fat free cream cheese, some fat-free mayo (can't remember how much - maybe 1/4 cup?) and parmesan. Mix together and bake for 20 minutes at 350F.

Tomorrow is Dip Day at work, what's a quick and easy dip I can make?? Thanks!!

I use the 0% Greek Yogurt for Tatziki: Cucumbers, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper, dill. Yum!

Have you ever made dip using Tofu or fat free fage? You can use any seasoning mix (ranch, lipton onion soup mix) and instead of using sour cream you can use a either Fage (fat free greek yogurt) or firm Tofu - when you blend firm tofu it becomes a dip like consistency and as a dip it's very good.

but home made salsa is always good and so it home made guacamole

For guacamole - just blend (in a food processor or blender) 2 or 3 avocados, add in diced raw onion, peppers (I use orange or red bell peppers), add in a little cumin, chili powder, dash of cayenne and a little squeeze of lemon juice). My family loves my guac; you can also toss in some parsley or cilantro (I'm allergic to cilantro, so parsley is the sub).

Plain greek yogurt, sundried tomatos, basil, and walnuts (all chopped and mixed). VERY fast and easy. Using plain greek yogurt as a base reduces cals and gives a good flavor.

You could also just stop and get a Tzatziki (it's made with greek yogurt). Whole Foods has several options (usually 35 cals for 2 tablespoons)

Taco dip is one of my family's favs but it's not healthy. Take a box (8 oz) of cream cheese and an 8 oz. container of sour cream, mix them together and add one packet of taco seasoning. Spread that mixture in the bottom of a pan. On top of that add chopped onions, chopped tomatoes and chopped olives, top with shredded cheese......... eat with tortilla chips. I can eat the whole thing, nom nom nom

You could probably make this lower fat and less "bad". Skip the cream cheese and sour cream - use Greek yogurt instead. Mix in the taco seasoning, spread in dish, layer with a load of shredded lettuce, tomatoes, olives, peppers and a light sprinkle of shredded low fat cheese. I have even seen the greek yogurt, then layer of salsa, then the veggie toppings and cheese. I am sure it would still be super yummy - and it will look fat-laden

Had the best dip this weekend...tatziki...which my friend brought to dinner (can't get enough) even the kids ate it!

2 cups greek yogurt 0%
1 cup of light feta cheese
1 medium english cucumber grated and drained
2 tbsp red onion
1 clove of garlic
lemon juice

My fav is mango salsa:
2 mangoes diced finely
1 cucumber, peeled and seeded - diced finely
1/4 cup brown sugar
some lime juice (to taste)
some crushed red pepper (to taste)

Julie

Hummus!
this is my non-recipe, adjust to your taste.

one can of chickpeas (i like reduced sodium), drained (but reserve the liquid!)
1-2 cloves of garlic
1/4 - 1/2 cup of tahini (sesame paste)
1/2 - 1 lemon
olive oil
salt and pepper (and/or other seasonings that you like)
zaatar (Mediterranean spice blend), paprika, extra olive oil/tahini for decoration

blend chickpeas, tahini and lemon juice together, using reserved liquid until you reach your desired consistency. i like mine thick but smooth. add olive oil for body and texture and flavour (you probably don't need more than 1/4 cup, and sometimes a tablespoon or so will do!)
taste! add salt/pepper/zaatar/paprika to taste.
you can also add zest from the lemon for a bit more "spark"

decorate by sprinkling the seasoning on top and a drizzle of olive oil.

homemade is so much better than store bought and you can adjust the fat and flavour to your liking! it will keep in the fridge for a few days, maybe up to a week.

serve with pita and veggies for the health-conscious!



Or you could make this sauce from my fav blogger, Smittenkitchen:

http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/06/asparagus-with-almonds-and-yogurt-dressing/

I use low fat yogurt/sour cream and I use it on/for everything!

Sweet Caramelized Onion Dip- From Hungry Girl book. There are sweet and savoury dip recipes, 19 in total if you want more.
Ingredients
2 Large sweet onions
6 Tablespoons fat-free cream cheese, room temp
1/2 Cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 Cup fat-free mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon light butter
1 Teaspoon Dijion mustard
1 Teaspoon balsamic vinigar
1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 Teaspoon salt
Directions
Heat butter in large pan over medium-high heat. Once butter has coated the bottom of pan, add onions,cayenne pepper, and salt. Dont worry if onions are piled high in the pan, they will cook down. Sautee for 10 minutes, stir often.
Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for aditional 25-30 minutes stirring often until onions are brown and caramelized. Meanwhile in a large bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo. Whisk until smooth. Refridgerate. Once onions are caramelized, add mustard and vinigar to pan. Continue to cook for 5 minute, stir frequently. Remove onions from heat and allow to cool. Once cooled add onions to the large bowl and mix dip thoroughly. Refriidgerate overnight and allow flavours to combine.
Serving- 1/3 Cup
Cals-74
Fat-1.75g
Sodium-512g
Carbs-11g

Bump

Yes Hummus! YUM!

Drooling!

My go-to is cottage cheese (16 oz) with a packet of ranch dip. YUM!

Yes Hummus! YUM!