Nothing perks up a plate of finger foods like creamy sauces and dips. From French fries, and nachos to chicken wings—a dash of your favourite sauce or dip bring out a whole new taste sensation. They don’t just add flavour to your food items but also add some much-desired moisture and creaminess to them. Whether you’re throwing a cocktail party or hosting a game night, here’s a list of fantastic recipes that will help you transform any ordinary appetizer into your spread centrepiece!
Pesto
One of the most diverse sauces that can add flavour to the simplest sandwich, pizza, pasta or simply anything you like. While restaurants tend to price dishes with pesto at a premium level, the sauce is surprisingly easy and quick to make.
Ingredients:
- Fresh Basil: 250 grams
- Garlic: 3-4 pods
- Olive Oil: ¼ cup
- Lemon juice: ½ tsp.
- Pine Nuts or Walnuts: 10
- Parmesan Cheese: 3 tbsps
Process:
Use a mortar and pestle if you have, else a regular blender will do. Blend together fresh basil leaves, and garlic pods (3-4) along with pine nuts. Once the rough mixture is ready add a generous quantity of olive oil and salt and pound some more. Finally, add parmesan cheese and drizzle some more olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice.
Greek Yogurt Creamy Dip
This dip is the ideal dip for any and every kind of finger food. It is rich and creamy and makes it irresistible to say no to! Be it some fries, chips, nuggets or anything else you fancy, this dip will be a thumping success. As exceptional as this dip may seem, it can be easily prepared with some simple ingredients within minutes.
Ingredients:
- Greek Yogurt (Plain): 90 grams
- Cream Cheese: 150 gram
- Dill Leaves: a bunch
- Garlic Powder: 1 tsp
- Pepper Powder: ½ -1 tsp
Process:
Take a mixing bowl and beat some Greek Yogurt into a smooth consistency, add to it cream cheese along with garlic powder and pepper powder and salt and mix well. Finally, add some finely chopped dill leaves and transfer them into a serving bowl.
Pudina Dhania Chutney
How can we forget our Indian traditional dip that works with anything and everything you can think of. Our humble chutney is perfect with pakoras, samosa, sandwiches, rotis and whatnot. Easy and quick to make it is packed with flavour and very easily found in all Indian households. It is India’s answer to a multi-utility sauce as well as a dip. While every household has its own version of chutney, here is one that also never fails.
Ingredients:
- Coriander: 250 grams
- Pudina: 100 grams
- Garlic: 2-3 pods
- Ginger: ½ inch
- Green Chillies: 2-3
- Lemon juice: 1 tbsp
Process:
Use a mortar and pestle for a traditional look and flavour or simply use your blender for a quick and easy chutney. Simply grind some pudina, and coriander, along with green chillies, garlic and ginger and churn it into a smooth paste. Now squeeze some lemon juice and add salt to the mix. You may replace regular salt with black salt for additional flavour.
Transfer the contents into a glass jar and enjoy!
Salsa
Add some zing to your meals with some exciting and refreshing salsa, that can be made easily.
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes: 3-4pcs
- Onion: 2 pcs
- Green Chillies: 1-2
- Red Peppers: 1
- Lemon: 1
- Cumin Powder: ¼ tsp
- Paprika Powder: ¼ tsp
Process: Simply finely chop the tomatoes, onion, bell peppers and green chillies roughly or use a chopper to chop them. Add a pinch of salt, and squeeze half a lemon. Add ¼ teaspoon of cumin powder and paprika powder each. Your salsa is ready for those nachos!
Hummus
Hummus is a cosy comforting base that can be the perfect sauce or base for delicious Middle eastern dishes or even the perfect dip when you have a Mezze Platter out for your party. Hummus is pleasurable to eat and healthy at the same time.
Ingredients:
- Chick Peas (Chole): 1 cup
- Garlic: 2-3 cloves
- Olive Oil: 2-4 tbsps
For Tahini:
- White sesame seeds: 1 cup
- olive oil: 2-4 tbsps
Process:
If you have readymade tahini use that, else simply grind white sesame seeds with olive oil to get a white smooth paste
Boil soaked chickpeas and add them to a blender with about 1/3rd quantity of tahini, a few cloves of garlic and salt. Blend the mixture into a smooth paste. Add some salt and lemon drops, along with that add some cumin powder and Olive Oil. Blend till you can a smooth, thick consistency.
Transfer the contents into a clean bowl and drizzle with olive oil, you may add some paprika powder if you wish.
Serve hummus with some lavash bread, or falafel and prepare your own Mezze platter. Or use it as a base on pita bread with salad and meat of your choice and a quick healthy meal is ready in no time.
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