Crowd-pleasing holiday dips

HOLIDAY FOOD | Lindsey Romain

Avocado goat cheese dip

• 3 ripe avocados

• 2 gloves minced garlic

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• 4 ounces cream cheese

• 4 ounces goat cheese

• 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice Mix all ingredients at once with a large spoon or hand-mixer in a medium bowl. Serve with blue corn chips, pretzels or crackers.

Smoked salmon dip

• 8 ounces cream cheese

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1 tablespoon fresh dill

• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise

• 1/2 teaspoon horseradish sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• pepper to taste

• 4 ounces smoked salmon Mix all ingredients at once with a large spoon or hand-mixer in a medium bowl. Serve with bagel chips or sliced veggies.

Buffalo chicken dip

• 2 c. cooked diced chicken

• 16 ounces cream cheese

• 1 cup ranch dressing

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a saucepan, combine cream cheese and ranch over low heat. Pour mixture over chicken in a baking dish. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve with veggies, crackers or breadsticks.

Cream cheese pesto dip

• 8 ounces cream cheese

• 1 diced tomato

• 1 cup pesto

• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place cream cheese in a baking dish. Spread pesto over cheese blocks. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and tomatoes. Bake 5 to 10 minutes Serve with quartered pitas or breadsticks.

Honey goat cheese dip

• 4 ounces goat cheese

• 3 tablespoons honey Stir together in a medium bowl. Serve with fresh berries, apple slices or warm cookies.

Vegan white bean dip

• 1/2 cup white beans, drained

• 1/2 cup garbanzo beans, drained

• 1/2 cup juice from either bean can

• 1 teaspoon xantham gum

• 1/4 cup vegan cheddar cheese

• salt and pepper to taste Process in a food processor. Serve with carrots, red peppers or pretzels.

Peanut butter dip

• 1/2 cup vanilla or honey Greek yogurt

• 1/2 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)

• Ground cinnamon

• 1 tbs. brown sugar Mix together in a medium bowl Serve with celery, graham crackers cookies or apple slices.