Tuesday November 13, 2012 09:00 AM EST
Carla Hall's Perfect Party Dips
Carla Hall (inset) Raymond Hom; inset: Getty
As a former caterer, Carla Hall knows the value of an impressive, easy, make-ahead dish, and nothing could be easier than The Chew host's dip recipes.
Hall, 48, has created four updates of crowd-pleasers like spinach dip – her version uses fresh spinach and tangy feta cheese – perfect for warming up the guests at your next holiday party.
"Put 'em out and let 'em rip while you're focusing on the rest of the meal," Hall says. "As long as you have great breads or other dippers, your party is off to a great start."
1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor.
2. Cover and chill for at least an hour.
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
10 oz. fresh spinach; sautéed, drained well and chopped
½ tsp. kosher salt
¼-½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
6 oz. blue cheese
8 tsp. salted butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp. chopped fresh dill or 1 tsp. dried dill weed, crumbled
1 tbsp. chives, minced
¼ tbsp. parsley, minced
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
¼ cup water
Juice and zest of one lemon
2 tbsp. tahini
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
4 oz. goat cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. finely chopped chives
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 tbsp. chopped dill
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Hall, 48, has created four updates of crowd-pleasers like spinach dip – her version uses fresh spinach and tangy feta cheese – perfect for warming up the guests at your next holiday party.
"Put 'em out and let 'em rip while you're focusing on the rest of the meal," Hall says. "As long as you have great breads or other dippers, your party is off to a great start."
4 Perfect Party Dips
Each recipe makes up to 2 cups1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor.
2. Cover and chill for at least an hour.
Spinach & Feta Dip
This is so fresh and packs a lot of flavor 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
10 oz. fresh spinach; sautéed, drained well and chopped
½ tsp. kosher salt
¼-½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Blue Cheese Boursin
I love the creamy, smoky taste of this dip 6 oz. blue cheese
8 tsp. salted butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp. chopped fresh dill or 1 tsp. dried dill weed, crumbled
1 tbsp. chives, minced
¼ tbsp. parsley, minced
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Lemon Hummus
Lemons bring zing to this dish, and that makes it a better pairing with vegetables 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
¼ cup water
Juice and zest of one lemon
2 tbsp. tahini
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Goat Cheese Ranch Dip
Adding goat cheese makes ranch thick, creamy and tangy 1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
4 oz. goat cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. finely chopped chives
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 tbsp. chopped dill
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper




