9 Festive and Gourmet Dips
Whether served as an appetizer or as a side dish, dips always add a touch of fun to any celebration. Revisited classics, vegetarian options or sweet treats: Let yourself be inspired by recipes that will appeal to all tastes.
Get Ahead of the Curve
Most dips are made in advance, which is also a great way to enjoy a stress-free holiday season. As a bonus, they often gain flavour after being in the refrigerator overnight, allowing their flavours to fully develop.
Optimize Storage
It is recommended to put dips into airtight containers to prevent them from absorbing odours from the fridge. Recipes based on cheese, sour cream or yogurt can be kept for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, while seafood dips should ideally be eaten on the same day or at the latest the next day.
The Right Temperature
Take cold dips out of the refrigerator 15 to 30 minutes before serving so that the flavours can be fully expressed. As for hot dips, it’s ideal to cook them in advance and then reheat gently in the oven or microwave, stirring to maintain a smooth texture.
Last-Minute Toppings
Save the toppings for last! Adding herbs, nuts, spices or dried fruit at the last minute ensures that the dips retain their texture and freshness.
Dips That Impress
Play with textures: by combining creamy dips and crunchy ingredients. Vary the colours: by offering several dips in different shades for a festive visual effect.
Offer original flavours: Create classics with sweet, spicy or surprising combinations.Take care of the presentation: Serve the dips in pretty bowls or in hollow breads, with fresh herbs or a pinch of paprika on top. Thematic toppings include:
● dried cranberries
● pomegranate seeds
● toasted nuts
● thin slices of red pepper (to recall the colours of Christmas)
Vary the pleasures: cold dips...
● Mascarpone
Sour cream, yogurt and cream cheese are often the basis of the best dips, while mascarpone—which is less common—makes its mark here. It’s in fact the star of this creamy duo: one, flavoured with curry, can be enjoyed with figs or fresh dates; the other, with caramelized onions, is hot and served with meat skewers or crackers.
Try this recipe: Mascarpone dip duo
● Sweet Corn
It’s time-saving to use pre-cooked corn to make this creamy dip that also includes cream cheese, red bell pepper, chives and a touch of cayenne pepper. Ideal with chips or crunchy vegetables.
Try this recipe: Sweet Corn Dip
● Curry and Ginger
Refreshing and spicy, this version combines yogurt and sour cream with green onions, honey, fresh ginger and yellow curry powder. It’s served with crunchy vegetables, pita chips or grilled chicken.
Try this recipe: Fresh Yellow Curry and Ginger Dip
Hot Dips
● Roasted Pepper
Combining sour cream, feta cheese, mayonnaise, roasted peppers, spinach and a hint of garlic, this recipe is ready in just 30 minutes.
Try this recipe: Quick Roasted Pepper Dip
● Seafood
Inspired by scallops, this creamy seafood dip is sure to be a hit as an aperitif. A few minutes in the oven is all it takes to get a golden top. Serve with crispy croutons and baby potatoes.
Try this recipe: Coquille St. Jacques dip
● Shrimp
This quick and easy dip includes cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon, horseradish, hot sauce and shrimp. It’s served with raw vegetables, crackers or pieces of bread.
Try this recipe: Spicy Hot Shrimp Dip
● Artichokes and Spinach
We love the dramatic effect of a dip served directly from a loaf of bread. This comforting version mixes cream cheese, Gouda and Parmesan cheese, as well as sour cream and mayonnaise.
Try this recipe: Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip in a Bread Bowl
Dairy-Free Version
In this vegan dip duo, we bet on bases other than dairy. The first uses soft tofu and the second uses white beans. The result: creamy preparations, just the way we like them.
Try this recipe: Vegan Dip Duo from Alexandra Diaz and Geneviève O’'Gleman
Chocolate Variants
To add a sweet and original take on the dip, try out these two chocolate versions that promise to delight gourmets. The first, rich in fibre, is made with date purée, while the hummus is made with white beans, almond butter and maple syrup. Perfect for dipping fruit and cookies.
No Time to Cook?
There are plenty of ready-to-serve dips in grocery stores. Hot, cold, salty or sweet: there’s something for all tastes and occasions.