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Showing posts with label Spinach Dip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spinach Dip. Show all posts

Tuesday, 3 September 2019

Sour Cream Dip



For Debarshi’s birthday this year, I baked a Devil’s Food cake. It turned out really good. Believe me I wish I would have been able to save another piece for myself. Anyway, I got a big pack of sour cream for the cake and after baking it, I realized I still had almost half of the pack left. So, I decided to make a spicy, tangy dip for the party. Thankfully everyone loved it and I thought I should share the recipe, because as it happens, if I don’t share a recipe on time, I just forget about it and then it gets impossible to re-create that recipe.

I served this dip with tortilla chips but you can also throw in some veggies, crackers or other types of chips. Make sure to whip up the dip a few hours before you intend to serve it so that the dip gets cold in the fridge and the flavors blend together nicely. Keep it in an airtight plastic container in the fridge. You can also freeze it, since it doesn’t have any yogurt there is no chance for any runny liquid.

Serve this delish dip at your next party, get-together, game day, family BBQ or ladies night. This makes a perfect munching food and can be enjoyed for hours. If you use readymade dip packets for the seasoning, then this is the time to try the spices which are already in your pantry. Yes, you may not have Chaat masala or Cumin but I am sure if you love Indian food, those spices will be a wonderful addition to your pantry. You will be saving money on those readymade dip packets plus avoid any possible preservatives.



Personally, I don’t like those recipes where you have to use an entire big container of sour cream to make a dip. As you know in our home, we are only two people. If Debarshi and I want to enjoy some chips and dip, then why do I have to use an entire container? So, I prefer smaller quantities which are easy to experiment and can be multiplied if need be. Homemade is the way to go both quality and quantity wise.

Another advantage of serving this cool dip is, if someone starts feeling the heat of my spicy Pakoras or my special potato/ sausage pastries then they can always take a break with this dip and calm themselves. Although I take care not to add any extra heat (red chili powder) in any dish whenever guests/ kids are coming over still having an instant back up plan is always good.

When you are preparing the dip for a large number of people make sure to divide it into 2-3 portions. That way, you can easily refill whenever the dip is all used up. And everyone will be getting fresh cold dip even after several hours.

Before we move on to the ingredients list, I would like to express my gratitude to all my readers. I read each and every comment and reply whenever I can. Please bookmark my blog and share it with every foodie you know. Post on my Instagram #lifewithoutalu with the photo and your comments/ input.



Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese - 8 ounces, room temperature
  • Sour Cream – 1 cup, plus more if necessary
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper – ½ teaspoon 
  • Garlic Powder – ½ teaspoon
  • Chaat Masala – ½ teaspoon
  • Roasted Cumin Powder – ½ teaspoon
  • Red Pepper Flakes – ½ teaspoon
  • Green Onions – a handful, chopped


Directions:
  • Take a big bowl because it makes the stirring easier. If the Cream Cheese is too stiff put it in the bowl and microwave for 10-15 seconds.
  • Combine the Cream Cheese and Sour Cream in the bowl and stir until combined and smooth. If necessary, thin out the dip by whisking in more sour cream, a tablespoon at a time. 
  • Mix in the spices (Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Chaat Masala, Cumin Powder and 
  • Red Pepper Flakes). Stir to combine.
  • Taste to adjust the spices. Mix half of the Green Onions in the dip and chill. 
  • Garnish with the remaining Green Onions before serving.



Love Homemade dips? They are not that difficult to make right! Try these as well:

Thursday, 11 July 2019

Spinach Dip



I am always happy to share simple and quick recipes. Today I have a delish and luscious Spinach dip for you. I prepared this on a movie night with just a few ingredients I had in my fridge. It turned out so good that it was all gone before I could click some more photos. Well, that’s what happens when the food is too good!

This cool and creamy dip is perfect to serve at game nights and movie nights. Major crowd pleaser too. I prepared it a couple days back for my book club friends and it was gone within minutes! This is so quick and easy that you will want to make this again and again. The fresh spinach adds a beautiful flavor while the Parmesan adds a delicious sharpness and saltiness in the dip. The cream cheese and heavy cream makes it melt in your mouth silky! I have seen several spinach dip recipes online but the special ingredient which adds a beautiful aroma in this dip is the garlic. Do not skip it! Trust me, one clove is not enough to overpower the entire dip, it does however, lends a delicious taste making the dip homemade and special.

Prepare ahead:
Prepare this delicious Spinach dip ahead of time, keep it in the fridge and when your guests are there, serve it! This yummy dip can be kept refrigerated for up to three days but I would recommend you to prepare this fresh so that it tastes as good as it looks. Preparing this dip doesn’t require any elaborate list of ingredients or instructions. 

Can I freeze it?
I have never frozen this dip so recommending it is difficult. However, the best part about this dip is, it is not prepared with yogurt (which when frozen may break down and make the dip runny). Since, we are using cheese and cream, freezing it should be ok. If you are keeping it refrigerated, then I would recommend consuming it within 2-3 days. Although it tastes great right out of the fridge, I like to microwave it for 10-15 seconds just to slightly melt the cheese. When refrigerating, make sure to use a clean plastic/ glass container and cover it with plastic wrap.

How long can you leave it out?
Since homemade dips don’t have any added preservatives in them, leaving them out for a long time wont work. Remember, the cheese, cream and spinach are all perishable items. When you are preparing the dip for a large number of people make sure to divide it into 2-3 portions. That way, you can easily refill whenever the dip is all used up. And everyone will be getting fresh dip even after several hours (I do this every-time we are hosting a game viewing party). Make sure not to let the dip sit at room temperature longer than 3-4 hours.

What can I serve with it?
  • Hawaiian/ French/ Sourdough Bread
  • Snacks
  • Chips
  • Crackers
  • Baguette
  • Tortilla chips
  • Crudités (assorted Veggies like Celery Sticks, Carrot Sticks, Cucumber Sticks, Bell Pepper Strips, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Fennel and Asparagus Spears)
  • Sausage
  • Crostini
  • Pretzels
  • As a spread on sandwiches

So give this dip a try and then post on my Instagram #lifewithoutalu with the photo and your comments/ input.



Ingredients:
  • Spinach – 1 small pack
  • Butter - 1 ½ - 2 tablespoons, unsalted 
  • Onion – ¼ cup, finely chopped 
  • Paprika/ Red Chili Powder – ½ teaspoon 
  • Cream Cheese - 8 ounces 
  • Heavy Cream – ¾ cup (or more) 
  • Salt – to taste (about ¼ teaspoon)
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper – ½ teaspoon 
  • Parmigiano Reggiano - 1/3 cup, grated
  • Garlic - 1 big clove, crushed


Directions:
  • Wash the spinach well.
  • Squeeze as much liquid out of the spinach as possible with a clean dishtowel or paper towels. 
  • Melt butter in a big pan over medium-high heat. 
  • Sauté the Onion with the Garlic until soft, 3–5 minutes. Add ¼ teaspoon of Salt. Mix well.
  • Stir in Paprika and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. 
  • Add the Spinach, Cream Cheese, Heavy Cream and Black Pepper and cook, stirring often, until everything is warmed through and slightly reduced, 8–10 minutes; the spinach will wilt in the meantime.





  • Mix ½ cup of the Parmigiano Reggiano. Taste to adjust the Salt.





  • Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with snacks/ chips.





With the football season coming in, it is always best to have a couple of different types of dips at hand. Try these dip recipes as well: