YumSugar

28 Dips For a Delish Memorial Day Feast

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:32:47 PDT

A winning Memorial Day meal should be easy, fun, and certainly delicious. What better way to bring all those ideas together than with a tasty dip for your guests? To encourage you to go for a dip this Memorial Day, I've rounded up 28 dips - in honor of Memorial Day on May 28 - in order to get your creative juices flowing. You'll find something for every palate, from chili con queso to Greek salsa!

Beyond Roasted Red Pepper: 5 New Takes on Hummus

Susannah Chen — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:38:00 PDT

If there's one food that we dream of bathing in, it's probably hummus: the silky-smooth chickpea and tahini puree is one that seems apropos for any eating occasion, whether it's as a dip for vegetables or a vehicle for a warm sandwich. But let's be honest: this beige dip seems to appear everywhere in the same iterations, from roasted red pepper to sun-dried tomato. As much as we love it, we're ready for something new.

If you're on the same page about this, then look no further: we present you with five totally unconventional takes on hummus, from kabocha squash hummus to a lentil variety. Grab some pita chips and keep reading!

Source: Martha Stewart

3 Amazing Super Bowl Dips!

Camilla Salem — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:06:35 PST

Still not sure what you are going to serve on Sunday? How about dip? It's an easy crowd-pleaser that's finger-licking good - and we've got three awesome variations for you to choose from. There's chili con carne for the meat lovers, guacamole for the traditionalists, and pizza dip for those who want to serve something fabulously unexpected. Watch the video now to learn how to make all three!

Go Beyond Tapenade, and Dip Into Green Olives

Lauren Hendrickson — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:53:42 PDT

Tapenade is a staple in my house, since it does double duty served with a cheese plate or used as a spread on your favorite panini. I must admit, however, I always end up making it with black olives, so I was thrilled when I found a recipe specifically for a tasty green olive spread. Because the olive's flavor takes center stage in this milk-based dip, I recommend using your favorite green olives; I chose castelvetranos since they impart an amazingly buttery flavor and bright green color, and they aren't incredibly briny.

The result was a salty and creamy dip that was perfect served on crunchy crostini, and would also be ideal in pasta or even as a dressing for salad. Move over, olive tapenade; it's all about going green! Keep reading for this simple recipe.

Fast, Easy, Amazing: Salsa-Baked Goat Cheese

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:53:11 PDT

One of the easiest appetizers ever, which I've made countless times, is baked goat cheese. Normally I smother it in marinara sauce and serve it with toasted baguette, but recently I came across a recipe that turns the baked goat cheese into a Tex-Mex-style dip. The marinara is replaced with roasted tomato salsa and tortilla chips stand in for the crostini.

The resulting dip is so good I couldn't help but wonder, "why didn't I think of this?!" If you've got time, make your own salsa, but when you need an app fast, simply pour your favorite store-bought salsa over the goat cheese and pop it in the oven. For a festive Fourth of July spin, serve the red and white dip, hot from the oven, with blue corn tortilla chips. Here's the scrumptious recipe!

Jazz Up Guacamole With Roasted Garlic

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:34:24 PDT

The dish that I've probably made the most in my life is guacamole. When I started cooking, it's the first thing I mastered; I still remember learning how to make it from my dad. It's a dip that I never get tired of because there are tons of different variations and it's just so good! My latest favorite involves a whole head of roasted garlic. It's amazing how creamy and rich this guac is. The roasted garlic gives it a smooth texture and depth of flavor. The ingredient list doesn't call for tomatoes, but if you prefer guacamole with tomatoes, add them. Really, feel free to adapt the recipe to your liking! Check it out after the break.

Killer App: Spicy Red Pepper Hummus

Katie Sweeney — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:22:05 PDT

Whenever I pick up hummus from the grocery store, I buy the spicy red pepper varietal rather than the regular kind. But while I've made the regular many times, I've never made red pepper hummus at home. Until recently! With the help of a food processor, it's super easy to assemble. You simply blitz everything and then season to taste.

In this version, there are three kinds of peppers: roasted red peppers, which provide sweetness and color, jalapeño peppers, which add fiery spice, and for a rich smokiness, chipotle peppers in adobo. Don't be afraid to use my recipe as a guide and adjust the heat to your liking. Do serve with homemade pita chips! Get the quick and crowd-pleasing recipe here.

Easy, Healthy Killer App: Hot Spinach Dip

Susannah Chen — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:10:53 PDT

This year, several friends and I started an informal dinner party club. Each month, we take turns hosting; the hostess makes the entrée, and everyone else is assigned a supplementary dish like a salad, appetizer, or dessert. Most recently, I was assigned the appetizer to go with a baked cheese and sausage ziti.

What to serve, I pondered, with a hearty pasta and a rich frozen dessert? The answer turned out to be a hot, creamy spinach dip, made healthier with the addition of reduced-fat sour cream and a greater proportion of spinach. Light yet indulgent, it was a nice, green start to what would be a filling meal. I can't wait to serve it again during March Madness playoffs. Want a killer app that's at once both sinful and guiltless? Just keep reading.

Killer App: Marinated Baked Goat Cheese

Lauren Hendrickson — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:27:59 PST

Marinated goat cheese at the market can be pricey, but it's one of the easiest things to make in your own kitchen. I picked up a log of chèvre and cut it into six even slices. Then, I raided the pantry and fridge for olive oil, vinegar, and herbs; like many marinades, you can easily alter it to suit what you have on hand. Marinate the goat cheese rounds for a couple hours in the fridge and up to a week. I baked the rounds to make an easy appetizer but can't wait to try the leftovers on homemade pizza. The remaining marinade is delicious drizzled on some veggies, so definitely use it too! Ready to add a little more flavor to goat cheese? Keep reading!

10 Easy Appetizers to Throw Together on a Weeknight

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:18:11 PST

Today, Annie asked me for help. She's hosting a small party tomorrow night and wants to serve some nibbles. Since it will be after work, the amount of time she can devote to cooking is limited. Thus she needs some delicious, but easy appetizer recipes. I provided so many suggestions, I thought, why not share them? Here, you'll find my favorite shockingly easy hors d'oeuvre ideas.