Dip Dictionary

 This is the weekend for dipping and double dipping. What dip goes well with chips? Shrimp? Chicken wings? what's the easiest one to make and store? Don;t worry .There 's a guide to help you.

Surprisingly dips are relatively new , coming into popularity in the 1950's.It started with the ever classic onion dip and evolved into all sorts of sauces from around the world. The aforementioned onion dip or California is an easy make. Most just take a powdered onion soup like Knorrs  and stir it in to a tub of sour cream. You cna also buy this already made. However if you want to step up your dip game, then try adding caramelized onions. You can also had a splash of white wine and Worcester sauce in a mix of sour cream and cream cheese. Yellow onions work the best here. Another fun crowd pleaser is guacamole. Use ripe avocadoes in this mash of them, tomatoes and onions.   You can sub in onion powder and garlic powder m because fresh onions may be too strong and overpower the avocadoes mild flavor. Also a little olive oil drizzled in will give the dip a smooth silky texture. Add lemon to the leftover to make sure the guacamole doesn;t turn brown in the fridge.Salsa is another fun one, perfect with tortilla chips. yes you can buy a wide range of already made bottled one but fresh made tastes the best. Use fresh tomatoes, green peppers and onions tossed in lime juice, garlic and cumin.

One of the most famous and most popular is the artichoke one. This starts with a mix of sour cream, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and mayo.  Once these are thoroughly folded together add artichoje hearts and their oil along with dillweed. Pour into a baking dish, sprinkle on more Parmesan cheese and bake at 350 degrees farenheit for twenty minutes or until bubbly. You can add spinach too if you want. Serve in a hollowed out bread bowl (go to Panera for this) and use the scooped out bread chunks for dipping. You can also eat the bowl for later. If your'e having a sea -cuterie platter then you'll have to have a yummy butter sauce for dipping those shrimp ,crab and scallops. Cook sliced garlic in a good amount of butter for a couple of minuets. Add a bit of lemon juice and zest along with dill.  Serve in little ramekins . Microwave them for a few minutes if the butter starts to solidify. Pizza sauce is another great hot dips.It's excellent for garlic knots and mini calzones.Take a can of diced toamtoes and cook with tomato paste, crushed garlic, oregano and basil. Serve piping hot in bowls.

Dips are as vital to the Superbowl as the football itself.There are so many to make and enjoy. Choose a few for a tasty day of fun snacking.