A Healthier Dip & Dressing Recipe

I know…it’s been a long while since I posted, and recipes are not what I’ve been known for.

I have recently lost some (a couple sizes worth) weight, and the one thing that was missing from a healthier eating plan for me was a veggie dip/salad dressing that I could feel good about. The calorie free kind tends to be chemical tasting to me, and the regular is laden with lots of fat. I’ve been on a “I can make that better” kick for a few years now, so here is what I have come up with.

The base is the same for all the creamy-style.

• 12 oz. of plain Greek Yogurt
• 4 oz. of the Mayo of your choice (I use regular Hellmans/Best Foods.)

These can be the vegan versions if that is where your tastes lie.

Now the fun begins. I’m a spicy gal and my friend Yvette had a semi-recipe for her spicy veggie dip, so I loaded those ingredients into my base, with a bit of a twist (I toned mine down just a little…pain is not a flavor!)

Put that in a quart Mason jar and add:

• 2 oz. of Gochujang Hot Pepper Paste (I do Medium…you do you)
• 1 oz. Tajin Classic Snack Sauce (or you can do any of the liquid Tajin sauces.)
• 1 Tbsp. Red Pepper Powder (Coarse)
• 2 oz. Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1 oz. Aji-Mirin
• 1/2 oz. Sesame Oil

Use your stick blender to combine thoroughly (you can also shake the living hell out of it, but I am lazy. The stick blender means I have less to clean up ,too.)

That’s it. All there is to it. If you don’t have access to the ingredients, there is always Amazon…but they should be readily available if you have an Asian market in your area.

The possibilities are pretty endless. I make my Ranch on the same base with the following:

• 2 Tbsp Buttermilk Powder (I buy mine here and this lasts for a long time.)
• 2 oz. Water
• 2 oz. Lemon Juice
• 3-4 Tbsp. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix (I buy that huge one at Costco…lol)

Blend that the same way. If you want a chunky Ranch that is even better, cut the Hidden Valley to 3 Tbsps, blend, then add 3 Tbsps of Lake Skinner Blend from Old Town Spice & Tea Merchants and shake it up…let it sit in the fridge for a couple hours to develop the taste.

Maybe some Thousand Island? Ketchup, Relish, finely chopped sweet onion and Lemon Juice?

Add Blue Cheese Crumbles to the basic Ranch recipe?

The possibilities are endless…