"chips and dip" news and stories

Happy National Chip and Dip Day!

Whether you spring for the easy classics like chips and salsa, or are more adventurous in your snacking, favoring the likes of blogger Everybody Likes Sandwiches' Red-Lentil Curry Dip with Pita Chips, it's unlikely there isn't at least one chip-and-dip combo you don't munch on regularly.

In celebration of today's holiday, we'd like to share some of our favorite tried-and-true or unique combinations -- and hope that, as the satisfied blogger cited above admitted of their culinary attempt, you'll be chopping, blending and sauteing yourself "back into a better frame of mind." Check our suggestions below!

• Cracked Pepper Potato Chips with Onion Dip
• Smoky Eggplant Dip with Baked Cumin Tortilla Chips
• Hot Artichoke Dip
• Chipotle-Onion Dip with Garlic Pita Chips
• Zesty Queso
  
• Crab and Coconut Dip with Plantain Chips
• Tomato and Basil Hummus
• Hot Crab Rangoon Dip with Wonton Chips
• Fire-Roasted Corn Dip with Blue Corn Chips

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A few of the best Super Bowl links on the Web this week:

• At a loss for what to serve? Check out these recipes for Sunday, from soup to nuts.
• Your pants will thank you Monday morning if you tweak a few of the usual leaden apps for less caloric impact.
• Perk up your party with signature drinks, decorations and snacks that really extend the game-day theme.
• Don't get caught with sub-par chips and salsa: Let our taste test be your guide.
• See what your favorite celeb chefs like to nosh on while watching the game.

With potato chips, you can go in a few different directions -- thick, plain potato chips with dip; skip the dip and serve flavored potato chips; or get all kinds of flavor-crazy and serve flavored potato chips with dip!

I am fickle when it comes to potato chips, so I actually do need to have several different options available. Sometimes I love those horrible Lay's potato chips that are nothing more than pieces of potato paper, but most of the time, I love thick, hard, crunchy kettle-cooked potato chips with an obscene scoop of French Onion Dip. You can make it from scratch, but I have to confess that I have a soft spot for the French Onion Dip made from dried soup mix and sour cream.

Frito Lay is releasing a new version of its popular Tostitos tortilla chips: Multigrain Tostitos. The new chips are made with four whole grains, including corn, oat, buckwheat and wheat, contain no trans fats and little saturated fat. When compared to the classic Restaurant Style Tostitos, which are made with whole, white corn, the Multigrain have 65mg of potassium and more dietary fiber, though they actually contain slightly less calcium. The fat and calorie counts are very similar.

A nuttier, multigrain taste will probably enable the new chips to compete with crackers as a dipable snack food, good for things like cheese spreads and hummus. The regular corn tortilla chips will still be tops for salsa, though, since there isn't enough nutritional benefit to be gained from making a switch to give up that classic taste.

Source

Fruit salsas are not the on culinary cutting edge as they were only a few years ago, but they are as popular as ever. Instead of being found topping lightly grilled fishes and elaborately stacked entrees at high end restaurants, they are on supermarket shelves and being whipped up in homes. They provide a great alternative to the more ordinary tomato based salsas, with added variations and flavors. The fruits provide a sweetness that really livens up the dip and tempers the heat of the peppers. Trader Joe’s Roasted Peach salsa is a current favorite of mine. It is smoky, sweet and has a definite kick to it. Soft-firm fruits, like peaches, mangos, papayas and avocados typically make the best choices for salsas, as they hold up well and have strong enough flavors to compliment other spices, without overwhelming them or being overwhelmed. The salsas are great for dipping tortilla chips, pita chips and veggies and would be well received at any party (football, anyone?). They can also be mixed into a salad as a spicy alternative to regular dressings.

[Photo by Nicole Weston]