VEG COCKTAIL DIPS

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Cocktail Snacks – yes, which are my favorite cocktail snacks? Fresh Vegetables and Fruits – carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, cauliflower, radish, capsicum, onions, green chillies, apples, pineapple, sweet lime, oranges, boiled potatoes, mushrooms, anything fresh and tasty – bite size pieces, raw or parboiled; and to enhance the taste I love to dunk them into yummy dips before popping them onto my tongue. I make sure there are a variety of appetizing dips with contrasting tastes to make the snacking experience more exciting.

Here are some Lip-Smacking Dips:

ZESTY CHILLI CHEESE CREAMY DIP

Finely grate a tin of cheese, mix in half a cup of soft butter [you can use cheese-spread if you like] and whip smooth with your fingers. Add a spoon of green chilli sauce, a spoon of red chilli sauce, half a cup of fresh whipped cream and a little bit of milk and whisk thoroughly with your hands till the mélange is well blended. Taste. It should taste lip-smackingly creamy. Want to add a pinch of salt? Okay. If you want it a bit zestier, add a spoon of chilli powder, finely chopped green chillies and whisk till silky smooth. Chill for an hour or so in the fridge before serving.

SOOTHING MINT CHILLI DIP

Take a cup of curds and beat vigorously with a fork till smooth and creamy. Put in some finely chopped fresh mint leaves, green chillies, green coriander leaves, thin strips of ginger, tender spring onions, mix well, taste, add a pinch of salt to taste, blend till smooth and chill in your fridge for an hour.

STIMULATING RED TOMATO DIP

Puree half a kilo of fresh juicy red tomatoes, or use readymade tomato puree. In a stainless steel vessel, heat some fresh butter, add one or two finely chopped onions, tejpatta , sauté a bit, pour in the tomato puree, simmer for five-ten minutes, remove tejpatta, stir in smooth cornflour-water or cornflour-milk paste, stir and cook till the mélange thickens. Taste. Add Green Chilli Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, salt, pepper, and a spoon of sugar, stir well, taste, plus-minus as required, blend in some butter and your dip is ready. I like to serve this dip hot, but it tastes lovely cold too!

Each of the above dips looks different, tastes different, and will add zing to your cocktail party. Let your imagination run riot, sprinkle a little chaat masala on the vegetables and fruit, use toothpicks, be creative, and I’m sure everyone will relish your fresh healthy nourishing wholesome cocktail snacks.

These are all pure vegetarian dips, ideal for vegetables and fruit.

Now if you are the kababi type, then it’s best to go in for some luscious non-veg dips, bracing barbecue sauces and tangy flavorsome chutneys, isn’t it?

VIKRAM KARVE

http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com

vikramkarve@hotmail.com

vikramkarve@sify.com

Dear Fellow Foodie, hope you and your guests enjoyed these heavenly dips. Do tell us all about it.