Nothing says winter like getting everyone together for a little party indoors. But when that means providing the food and drink, it can be hard to want to step up to the plate. But we have good news: pleasing your guests does not have to be such a complex affair!
In fact, sometimes the greatest of edible pleasures require the simplest ingredients (and easiest prep – need we say more!). And few things are tastier and easier to prepare than a dip.
These dips are seasonally friendly with all your favorite winter-friendly flavors.
1. Root Vegetable Ranch Dip
All of the winter roots came to play in this dip: roasted carrots, parsnips, and turnips only need a dash of olive oil and salt along with that ranchy zest and a creamy base to bring out their best.
INGREDIENTS 1 container sour cream (16 ounces) 1 packet (1 ounce) Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dips Mix 4 medium carrots, roasted with salt 2 parsnips, roasted with salt 1 turnip, roasted with salt
DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Once your carrots, parsnips, and turnips are washed and sliced, toss them with olive oil and salt before cooking for 30 mins. While they soften up, combine the ranch dip mix with sour cream. Once the veggies have cooked and cooled, dice them up and mix with the ranchy sour cream thoroughly.
2. Pumpkin Ranch
The cold months are pumpkin season all across culinary culture. But even if you love pumpkin, let’s face it — we’re all a bit tired off of pumpkin pies and pumpkin spice lattes. But add pumpkin and a dash of garlic to a creamy ranch base, and it’ll be your favorite seasonal special all over again.
INGREDIENTS 1 container sour cream (16 ounces) 1 packet (1 ounce) Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dips Mix 15 ounces pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1-2 teaspoons salt
DIRECTIONS Ready to be done? You’re already almost there. Start by baking a clove of garlic for confit. While that cooks, blend the ranch mix with sour cream, then blend one can of pumpkin puree into the ranch sour cream mixture. Once cooked and cooled, add the confit into the mix to taste, along with 1-2 teaspoons of salt.
3. Mashed Cauliflower Dip
Just like mashed potatoes, except far healthier and with even more of a flavor punch – this ultra cheesy, equal parts chunky and smooth cauliflower dip is going to be a winner.
INGREDIENTS 1 packet (1 ounce) Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dips Mix 1 container sour cream (16 ounces) 1 head cauliflower Fresh chives, chopped 3/4 cup gruyère cheese
DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Wash and slice cauliflower, toss with olive oil, and put in the oven on a sheet to bake for 30-45 minutes (until tender and light, golden brown). Blend in a food processor until cauliflower has formed smaller chunks, but stop before it’s pureed. While cooling, melt 3/4 cup gruyère cheese in the microwave. Remove melted cheese from microwave, let cool, and then blend with the ranch sour cream mixture, followed by the cauliflower and then diced chives.
