Image Source: Muhammara Spread

After a busy day with work, school, rushing from one place to another, or what not, it’s nice to  finally sit down and relax at the end of the day. And, when relaxation sets in, the body tends to register that it’s hungry. At least this is definitely the case with myself and my family. To avoid lashing out at each other like ravenous beasts before dinner, we have adopted “cracker time.” Now, you might be asking– What exactly is cracker time?

Cracker time (noun): a time to snack on crackers and some form of dip or spread while catching up with friends and family before dinner.

This little snack is the perfect pick-me-up needed to keep hunger at bay and prevent overeating once dinner is on the table. My go-to cracker time consists of whole wheat crackers and hummus. I can never seem to get enough hummus (the first step is admittance, right?) but salsa and guacamole have made their way into my list of other cracker time favorites.  However, it’s nice to mix it up once in awhile and get a little fancy with a new recipe. Different dips and spreads are a great way to incorporate exciting flavors and combinations into your meal plan. They also make awesome appetizers to bring to social functions.

Notes:

• Double-dipping: While you may not think twice about double-dipping in the privacy of your own kitchen, it tends to be a social faux-pas when snacking with others. To avoid double-dipping with still maximizing cracker surface area, break the cracker in half before scooping for dip. By doing so, you even out the ratio between dip and cracker so you’re not left with the end of a dry cracker missing out on delicious dip.
• Spreads vs. dips: They’re pretty much the same type of dish but there are a few slight differences. Dips tend to be a bit lighter and smoother while spreads can be heartier. The “spread” part comes in usually when a some utensil, whether it be a spoon or knife, is needed to load up the cracker. Without a utensil, crackers may have a higher tendency to break during the traditional dipping process and no one likes those cracker crumbs.
• Take a serving for yourself: To avoid bumping hands and that awkward moment when two people simultaneously reach in the bowl for some deliciousness, have a little plate and take a serving or two of the dip/spread for yourself. Not only does this help prevent you from going overboard on snacking but, it’s also easier to navigate the dip/spread with your own plate (and yes, permission granted to double-dip).
• Pick the perfect pair: Some crackers and chips work better with certain dips and spreads so keep that in mind when choosing a recipe if you know picky eaters

With that being said, I’m pleased to introduce you to 5 Unique and Delicious Dips and Spreads. Pinkies up and enjoy ;)

Here are some of our favorite recipes:

1. Pureed Lentil Dip with Caramelized Leeks

2. Creamy Green Avocado Basil Dip

3. Pimento Cheese Spread

4. Mint Coconut-Cashew “Cream Cheese” Spread

5. Moroccan Grilled Eggplant, Onion, and White Bean Spread

6. Creamy Zinger Garlic Spread

A few fun notes on dip and spread etiquette: