
Vegetable Dip (base recipe)
This dip recipe can be adapted to many cuisines! I use it often for catering and parties and it's always a hit! See notes for variations.
Equipment
- Food Processor or Blender
Ingredients
- 1 8oz block cream cheese you can use reduced fat, but why?
- 2 red bell peppers, roasted and peeled you can multicolor mini peppers here if you like, use 8
- 1 6-8" zucchini, halved and roasted about 1.5 - 2 cups chopped
- 1 small onion, halved and roasted with veg cut side up any color is fine, about 2/3 cup chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced very fine
- 1/2 tsp each S/P to taste
- olive oil to roast veg
- 3 Tbl chopped fresh parsley or other herb, see notes
- 1 tsp sweet or smoked paprika optional, see notes
Instructions
- Put cream cheese on counter to warm up while you do the veg.
- Put prepped veg on a sheet pan and lightly coat in olive oil, salt and pepper. Put peppers cut side down, with zucchini and onion cut side up. Put under the broiler and roast until peppers are charred. Flip onion or take it out if it gets too charred.
- Cool veg, peel red peppers and cut all into 1-2" chunks.
- Put all roasted veg and garlic into food processor and whiz until uniform.
- Add cream cheese in chunks, whiz until smooth.
- Add paprika and parsley (or other flavorings, see notes) and pulse a couple of times.
- Check seasonings and serve slightly chilled or room temp. Store in fridge.
Notes
This is a very versatile recipe! It can be changed drastically simply by swapping out veg and changing the herbs and spices. I typically add whatever herbs I've got to this; I've added mint, cilantro, tarragon, basil and thyme at various times. This dip is also a lovely condiment for sammies.
NON Veggie Ham Dip
I had leftover ham from Tgiving, so I whizzed it up and added to the dip. SO GOOD! It can be used for dip or on sandwiches - it reminds me of ham salad. I added about 1.5 cups of ground ham to the base. Mexican
I had leftover ham from Tgiving, so I whizzed it up and added to the dip. SO GOOD! It can be used for dip or on sandwiches - it reminds me of ham salad. I added about 1.5 cups of ground ham to the base. Mexican
- Add one roasted roma tomato, seeded
Use cumin and oregano rather than paprika
Use fresh cilantro rather than parsley
- Use one Chinese eggplant (or very small standard, or 3-4 of the tiny ones) instead of the zucchini
Add 2 Tbl tahini
Use cumin in addition to smoked paprika
Use fresh cilantro and/or mint
- Add one roasted roma tomato, seeded
Add 2 Tbl grated parmesan
Use dry basil and oregano
Use fresh basil
- Add 2 tsp curry powder instead of paprika
Or use garam masala