Tasty Tuesday : Dip Party

Hi everyone!  For today's Tasty Tuesday, I'm going to be sharing a quick dinner party idea with you all.  Last week, I was feeling social and invited over a fellow local blogger for some food and beer.  It was during the week, so I didn't really feel like cooking anything after a long day at work, and didn't want to order pizza either.  I came up with a simple idea that ended up being a lot of fun and low key. Enter the dip party!


It really doesn't get much easier than this- all I had to do was open a bunch of packages and serve the dips up in pretty bowls.  I found a bunch of fun dips and finger foods at Trader Joe's and Aldi's with different flavors and textures, and served it alongside a few different kinds of chips and pretzels.  There was enough variety that no matter who you serve, they'll be happy!  For another variation, you could also have a dip potluck and ask everyone to bring their favorite homemade dip (just make sure everyone doesn't bring Buffalo Chicken Dip!!)


Here are the dips that I got and some of my thoughts on each of them.  I hope this is useful in case you want to have your own dip party (or just a fun dinner for yourself):

Spicy guacamole (Aldis) - I get the medium-spicy version, and it's pretty mild.  I like how this guacamole comes in two 8-oz bags, which is the perfect amount for a party!  I prefer most homemade salsas over store bought, but this one is really good.

Kosher Dill Pickles (TJ) - These pickles are the perfect snack size once they're cut in quarters.  They're delicious!

Roasted Tomatillo and Mango Salsa (TJ) - This salsa was way too spicy for me, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it.  I would just warn your guests that it's hot!

Dolmas (TJ) - I absolutely love grape leaves, and these are fantastic.  They look really pretty served up in a bowl and add something special and different to the spread.

Cowboy Caviar (TJ) - This is another more spicy dip.  It has corn, black beans and pepper and has a good kick to it.

Olive Tapenade (TJ) - I like the fact that this tapenade has both green and kalamata olives, which adds more of a depth of flavor.  I love olives, which is why I have it in a dip form as well as whole!

Corn and Chile Tomato-less Salsa (TJ) - My all-time favorite dip from Trader Joe's.  I use this as a salsa, add it to burrito bowls, or mixed in dishes.  It has a sweet taste with just a tiny (not too intense) kick from the chiles.

Kalamata Olives (Aldis) - You can always mix different kinds of olives, or get a few specialty ones from an olive bar!  I kept it simple by getting a jar of regular (pitted) kalamata olives.

Cumin Spiced Pinto Bean Dip (homemade from Thug Kitchen cookbook) - I made a batch of bean dip the night before, and it held up really well.  This was a really mild flavor that helps to balance out the other, more bold dips.


What's your favorite kind of dip?
Do you ever have themed dinner parties?

Comments

  1. This is a great idea, Gretchen! We make a vegan jalapeno popper dip and a vegan buffalo chicken cheeseball that I'm obsessed with. I need to try that corn and chile salsa!

    Sarah
    www.thesurznickcommonroom.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loooove dip. My favourite dip is the stuff they make to put in the chicken lettuce wraps at the Cactus Club. Do you guys have Cactus Club? I think that's where we met you and Dan in Vancouver, isn't it?!? Nobody got the lettuce wraps though. What a crime!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We don't have them here but I loved the restaurant! Definitely have to go back ;)

      Delete
  3. you picked out some amazing items for your party!

    Abigail Alice 💕

    ReplyDelete
  4. what a fantastic idea - dip party! i could have a solo dip party and be happy. yum.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A dip party?! Now that sounds like a delicious idea!

    Then you don't have to worry about filling yourself up on too much dip (which is pretty much my constant problem as I'd happily eat all the appetizers and no dinner haha)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yum! I love those layered taco dips with like refried beans, chilis, corn, etc. I could eat those forever!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love all thse dips! Everything sounds delicious :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Relationship Rules I Broke (and WEDDING PHOTOS!)

Thinking Out Loud #2

Review- Group Power