Light Dips for Every Taste

Pnudderbutter Dip

1/4 cup of smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup of chocolate syrup

½ medium banana

One container of non-dairy whipped topping

Melt peanut butter until liquified (about I minute in the microwave). Mash banana until spreadable. After peanut butter cools, add syrup until blended and liquified. In mixing bowl, scoop in chunks of semi-thawed topping and break into smaller pieces. Immediately pour in liquid and banana mash and beat vigorously until smooth and creamy. Chill in refrigerator for one hour before serving.

Tropical Yogurt Dip

8 oz can of crushed pineapple

Small can of mandarin oranges

½ cup of roasted macadamia nuts

1/4 cup of toasted coconut

16 oz of vanilla yogurt

In a blender, mix macadamia nuts and oranges until pureed. In mixing bowl, add drained pineapple and blended mixture and combine evenly. Add yogurt and mix again. Chill for one hour and top with toasted coconut before serving.

Bacon Cucumber Dip

One seedless (Hot House) cucumber, chopped fine

½ cup of bacon bits (or meatless bacon substitute)

½ tsp of dill

1 tsp of garlic powder

½ tsp of coarse black peppercorns

16 oz of plain nonfat yogurt

10-12 tomato wedges, sliced thin

In large mixing bowl, combine cucumber, bacon, spices and yogurt and mix evenly. Drain tomato wedges for at least 15 minutes and garnish before placing in refrigerator.

Sweet Carrot Dip

2 medium carrots, cooked soft and peeled

½ cup of raisins

½ cup of crushed pineapple

2 tsp of honey

Pinch of apple pie spice or cinnamon

Mash carrots down in large bowl. Blend raisins and pineapple until pureed. Blend all three ingredients together and add honey to taste. Fold in sour cream and garnish with left over raisins and carrot shavings. Chill one hour before serving.

'Restaurant Style' Wasabi Ranch Dip

2 tablespoons of ground wasabi powder

½ tsp of garlic powder

One pack of dry ranch dressing

1 tsp of soy sauce

16 oz of lite sour cream

Mix all ingredients in large bowl until even. Chill for one hour. Idea condiment for teriyaki chicken entrees or dim sum appetizers.