Summer Soiree: 6 Dips to Make in a Dash
When company is coming and time is short, keep one mantra in mind (admittedly inspired by the band Devo): Dip it. Dip it good.
These no-fail ideas all come together in mere minutes, and are guaranteed to cover you through all seasons, types of gatherings and guest dining preferences. The key is to always have a mix of vegetables and crackers on hand. Then just go ahead and take a dip:
Sriracha-Pimento Cheese Dip: It’s hard to improve on classic pimento cheese dip, but this one (pictured above) actually does. A dose of sriracha is just the thing to cut the rich cheddar-mayonnaise combination. The spice averse may need to keep a drink on hand.
Armando Rafael Moutela,  2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved  2014, Cooking Channel, LLC All Rights Reserved
Pizza Dip: Pizza dip is as good as it sounds. If you can't take our word for it, whip it up in 10 minutes. The sun-dried tomatoes are the only ingredient requiring cooking (for 1-2 minutes), so you'll have this ready in the time it would take to decide on toppings for a regular pizza.
Spinach and Cannellini Bean Dip: Got spinach on hand? Then you’ll likely have everything you need to make this 11-minute crowd-pleaser, which calls for balsamic, garlic, beans, olive oil and lemon juice. The perky green result is a boost of color for any table spread.
2014, Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Peppadew Dip: Nab some sweet red cherry peppers while the season lasts to make this creamy cilantro-laced dip. It’s an excellent option for vegetables, including celery, carrots and radishes.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
Sweet Pea Dip: Michael Symon’s mellow pea dip is as good slathered on grilled bread as swiped on pasta or grilled chicken.
Tara Donne, Tara Donne
Five-Layer Mexican Dip: The most time-consuming of the bunch (at just 23 minutes), this five-layer five-star dip is also surprisingly healthy thanks to its extra vegetables. It’s the perfect game-day dip, and it’s a guaranteed hit.
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