It’s vacation time. The time when guests will be pouring in at your place unannounced.  Last minute prep work is easier said than done. Add to this the agonizing thought of creating something new for your guests every time.

Starters, as the name suggests, start the party and are thus always scrutinized by those guests-come-food critics. You need to ensure these starters are taken care of. Dips pose as excellent accompaniments with them, to give your party the right start.

Dips can be served with appetizers like crackers, nachos, or even with fruits. A party is incomplete without a set of classy dips to accompany your appetizers.

Following is a list of homemade dips that will pose a challenge to make room for the main course. These are so easy to make that you may never eat dips available at stores again. And these are a little relief on the pocket too.

1. Chile Tomato Dip

  • Prep Time:10 minutes
  • Cook Time:5 minutes
  • Total Time:15 minutes
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 2 ripe red tomatoes (chopped)
  • 1/2 finely diced onion
  • 1 chopped green chile
  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepperflakes
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
Photo by Paavani Jain
  • Step 1

    In a blender jar, crush the chopped tomatoes, onions and chiles. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.

  • Step 2

    Make the dressing by combining lime juice, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, chopped cilantro and olive oil in another bowl.

  • Step 3

    Add and mix dressing with tomato mixture.

  • Step 4

    Refrigerate it for 1-2 hours to chill before serving.

2. Garden Fresh Dip

  • Prep Time:10 minutes
  • Cook Time:5 minutes
  • Total Time:15 minutes
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 cup frozen peas (defrosted)
  • 4-5 mint leaves
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Few nigella seeds
Photo by Paavani Jain
  • Step 1

    Blend the peas, lemon juice, cumin, mint, seeds in a food processor.

  • Step 2

    Serve with celery sticks to get the fresh essence of the salad.

3. Creamy Fruit Dip

  • Prep Time:10 minutes
  • Cook Time:5 minutes
  • Total Time:15 minutes
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 2 cup mango/vanilla yogurt
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 teaspoon dairy sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Photo by Paavani Jain
  • Step 1

    In a bowl, combine yogurt, sour cream, ginger, honey and lemon juice.

  • Step 2

    Refrigerate for 2 hrs.

  • Step 3

    Serve with freshly cut fruits.

4. Mayo-Olive Dip

  • Prep Time:10 minutes
  • Cook Time:5 minutes
  • Total Time:15 minutes
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 block of softened cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1 minced garlic
  • 5-6 chopped green olives
Photo by Paavani Jain
  • Step 1

    Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

  • Step 2

    Let it set for 2 hrs before serving.

  • Step 3

    Serve with crackers.

5. Choco-vanilla Layered Dip

  • Prep Time:5 minutes
  • Cook Time:10 minutes
  • Total Time:15 minutes
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup cream cheese
Photo by Paavani Jain
  • Step 1

    Melt butter over medium heat. Stir in sugar until the sugar dissolves.

  • Step 2

    Remove from heat and add vanilla.

  • Step 3

    Mix the softened cream cheese and sugar in a bowl and add the butter sugar mixture to it.

  • Step 4

    Garnish with chocolate shavings.