Appetizer Recipes – Dips Done Daintily

These delicious appetizer recipes are easy, tasty and reliable. Serve anyone of them at your next party or family gathering. You can present them daintily; presentation counts, so use a fun brightly colored bowl that contrasts the color of the dip (red for artichoke dip; blue for hummus dip) and also arrange crackers or chips in a unique pattern or purchase mini chips or crackers and serve them in a cracker tray.

Hummus Dip with Pita Chips

4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chick peas (drained and dried)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup water
salt and pepper (to taste)
Pita Chips: Pita rounds; melted butter; olive oil; seasoned salt; dried thyme

Hummus: Combine the garlic, chick peas, lemon juice, tahini and soy sauce in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Add water and blend; season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pita Chips: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Cut each pita into 6 triangles; open pieces and brush with olive oil and butter; sprinkle lightly with seasoned salt or dried thyme. Bake at 250 degrees on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes or until crisp.

Artichoke Dip

1 (8 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1-2 cloves garlic, minced

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients; mix well. Pour the mix into an oven proof serving dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with crackers, pita, bagel or tortilla chips.