Summer Bites: Dips

Taramosalata

What you need:
• 1 medium potato (boiled)
• 1 clove of garlic
• 225 gr. cod roe – usually found in tins
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Some parsley
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

What to do:
Place the potato in the blender and whilst the blade is still running, add the roe, lemon and parsley. Now drizzle the oil a little at a time to make sure that your dip will not be too oily. Once the dip is done, allow it to set and serve with some hot bread or crackers.

Here are some fresh and tasty dip recipes you can try this summer. These are great as an entrée or just a snack and are especially ideal to spice up a BBQ!

Prawn and Avocado Dip with Chilli Vodka

What you need:
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled and stone removed
• 2 tbsp soured cream
• 150g/5oz cooked prawns, finely chopped
• 1 ripe tomato, quartered, de-seeded and finely diced
• ½ red onion, very finely chopped
• ½ small lemon, juice only
• 1 tbsp chilli-flavoured vodka, or a good splash of Tabasco sauce with a little extra lemon juice
• flaked sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

What to do:
Mash the avocado with the soured cream until fairly smooth. Mix in all of the remaining ingredients and serve straight away, or chill in the fridge for a few hours.

Cheese & Pineapple

What you need:
• 175 gr. Pineapple pieces – you can use tinned or fresh
• 225 gr. cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons chives – chopped

What to do:
Place the pineapple in the blender and give it a good whiz. Once this looks nearly done, add the ricotta and most of the chives reserving some to garnish your dish. Blend on top speed until a creamy consistency is achieved.

Salmon and Cream Cheese Dip

What you need:
• 1 x 400g/14oz tin Salmon, drained
• 200g/7oz Cream Cheese
• 4 tbsp Crème Fraiche
• 1 Garlic Clove, crushed
• 2 teasp Lemon Juice
• 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
• Salt and Black Pepper

What to do:
Place all the ingredients in a bowl and beat together until smooth. Alternatively, place in a food processor. Refrigerate until required.