Skinny Dipping
While we're on the topic of dips, let me just say that I am no lightweight dipper.
Truth be told, I am a downright scooper.
This is an inherited trait; I blame it on my genes.
Put my dad and I in a room with even a small bowl of tortilla chips, and the salsa jar had better be a large one.
And let it be said, it is not just my genes that have contributed to my scoopiness.
I come from Canada, a country that has proudly embraced the idea of serving dips with our pizza. And before your eyebrows disappear into your hairline, let me say that it is really, really good. Those little plastic containers of creamy mysteriousness have changed the way many of us eat pizza. The hardest part is deciding whether you want the Creamy Garlic flavour or Cheddar Jalapeno. And hold onto your hats, because the truth is, that if you're willing to shell out a few extra coins, you can actually get both.
Oh the joy.
But then again, there is the waistline to think about.
So when I found this recipe that would allow for guilt free scooping, I did a little dance and got down that very same night.
This is the easiest dip to make. It is simple, light and fresh in flavour. It is great as a dip on its own with veggies or pita bread, or as part of a greek-style meal with chicken, lamb or beef brochettes, and rice. Just make sure you like the yogurt you're using, since it acts as the base of the dip. (ok, that obvious piece of advice was really just for my mom. Love you mom!)
Feta Mash
Adapted from Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons by Diana Henry
75g (2.75 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
300g (10.5 oz) greek yogurt
45ml (3tbsp) olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
30ml (2 tbsp) dill, chopped
30ml (2 tbsp) mint, chopped
Mix the following ingredients together and serve.
Suggestions:
Crumble the feta as large or as small as you want.
Add more feta cheese if you want a lumpier dip.
Add some lemon zest for an extra bit of flavour.
Strain your yogurt in cheesecloth over a bowl if you want a thicker dip.
Omit the olive oil if you wish, for a slightly different texture.
Disclaimer:
I loved this dip, my boyfriend did not. If you aren't a fan of mint or dill, then this recipe is probably not for you.
Labels: dips, herbs, Paris, recipes, vegetarian
posted by Michèle at 4:00 AM
24 Comments:
I am a fan of both mint and dill, and this sounds and looks great. But...dips for pizza???? I trust your taste, I do....but hmm :)
It does sound very good to me.
Yum, sounds good to me too! Then again, I think I never met something with feta and olive oil that didn't :) I am most certainly a heavy-handed dipper as well - I mean, that's where all the flavor is, isn't it?? I must say I've never tried dipping pizza, however. Sounds like it's time to start planning a trip to Canada to witness this culinary innovation in action!
i love dips for pizza -- for me it's a chipotle-cilantro dip that wins my heart in it's tiny plastic bowl. your feta dip sounds amazing and i can almost taste it with warmed pita bread. yum!
Ah my dear displaced Canadian - did I tell you that the company is now selling their pizza dips in some grocery stores? Your dip sounds divine, perfect for a cooling mouthful, or even as a sauce alongside grilled meat. And my dear, if one is to dip, I'm all for the gusto!
Creamy garlic for me, please!
I miss my pizza dips too!
I'm all for dipping pizza in anything, but our favorite is blue cheese dressing! I like the idea of guilt-free scooping - my waistline thanks you!
for me the same problem..I love dipping and my boyfriend no!!
Oh Michelé...All the man are so "bore"??
( excuse my english..please...:-D)
Sandra
dip dip dip. I discovered dips amongst Anglo Saxons!! AND end result is I love to dip dip dip!
This one sounds devilish too!!
Alisa, oh but it is goood. My favourite was the creamy garlic, and I'm not even sure what it was made of, but it was tasty. It took me some adjustment when I had to eat pizza without it after I moved away.
Kalyn, I'm glad to hear it!
Melissa, I'm not sure I'd call it a culinary innovation--perhaps an attempt to mask bad pizza? Although it actually is pretty good pizza, from one of our most popular chains. Perhaps I can smuggle some back for you, I have a feeling that whatever its made of might not even need refrigeration ;)
Kickpleat, chipotle-cilantro? That sounds fantastic. Do you make that yourself?
Tara, are they seriously selling it in grocery stores now? That is so funny. Gotta love Canada!
Torie and Erik, creamy garlic is my favourite too. It seems they have a couple of other flavours too that I wasnt aware of: Creamy Horseradish and Marinara. Although I think I would stay far away from the horseradish one.
Michelle, you ad-libbed your own pizza dip? Very impressive. I never would have thought to do that until they started offering it with our pizza. You clever girl!
Sandra, my boyfriend and I definitely have different dipping styles. I scoop, and he just barely dips the end in. He's much more refined than I am!
Bea, well I am glad to hear you enjoy dipping as much as I do!
As a born dipper my own self, I'm looking forward to trying this recipe sometime soon! Although, like you, I'll probably be the only one in the house enjoying it!
I'm not sure I've heard of all the variety concerning pizza dips, but down east we tend to drown it all in donair sauce. Are you familiar with this?
Michele, after recently devouring a container of Greek yogourt, I would very happily eat a large container of your dip.
As a Canadian, and a lover of all things pizza, let me just say that the Creamy Garlic dip from Pizza Pizza is the "Undisputed King of Pizza Dips." Let us never speak of the Italian Marinara, however.
Oh my gosh dips and pizzas together sound marvelous. US chain pizzas are finally getting into the dip scene.
I love feta cheese!
Paz
Alas, my Michele, I cannot take the credit...I learned it from a friend who spent a year in Australia (although where he got it, I do not know!).
So THAT's what it's all about! I was having a slice in a favorite pizzeria one day when I gaggle of teens sitting at a nearby table called over to ask the counterman for ranch dressing. I thought, "Good -- at least they're eating salads!" But of course they used it for dipping pizza. something I had never seen here before (Marin County, California). Thanks for explaining this weirdness -- I will leave the pleasure to you: I'm a purist.
Skat, if you give it a try, I hope you like it! I have made it many times since first trying it and it gets better every time.
Marilyn, I have never heard of dipping pizza in donair sauce, but from what I remember donair sauce is sort of creamy and garlicky too isn't it? If so, its probably not a far stretch from the Creamy Garlic one that we have in Canada, which is my favourite.
Rob, you know I had forgotten about the Marinara one when I first posted this, I think for the exact reason you mention--it is entirely forgettable. Creamy Garlic is my favourite too, but on occassion I did venture towards Cheddar Jalapeno. Have you tried the new Creamy Horseradish one? I just saw it listed on their website, Im not entirely convinced though.
Foodiechickie, well if you cant find any pizza dips in the US you may just have to start inventing your own. Although I dont think this feta dip would fit the bill, perhaps because of the herbs in it. Im not sure dill and mint are a good match for pizza, but I'm sure you could rework it!
Paz, I love feta too. There is always a tub of it in my fridge. And now that I've found this dip I seem to never be at a loss for greek yogurt either.
Michelle, an Aussie huh? That's very interesting! I've been surprised after posting this at how many people actually do this, and not just Canadians!
Kudzu, I'm still not sold on the idea of salad dressing to dip your pizza in, it tends to be runnier than the dips Im used to, but I'm sure it has its merits! But I'm with you, unless I go to that particular pizza place in Canada, I do not dip.
hi michele, men *insert expansive eye roll here* i love the sounds of pizza and dip, although i can't say i've ever had it this way before. sounds like the perfect tv dinner!
How's the Eiffel tower doing these days? :-)
I'm sceptic re: pizza&dipping sauces as well, but that dip on its own looks certainly delicious, and very welcome on my table. Would go well alongside my beetroot&feta dip:)
This dip looks delicious! Feta makes any dip. Visit my new food blog at:
http://na-zdravi.blogspot.com/
J, Im not sure this dip would work so well with pizza, but its great for everything else. I haven't stopped making it since that first time, its becoming a bit obsessive I think. But since its healthy, I dont feel too bad about it.
Sandy, the eiffel tower is as lovely as ever! The rain has finally cleared and sunny days arent far behind!
Pille, your dip sounds pretty good too. Im a fan of anything dip-able and/or containing feta. I seem to have a container of feta in my fridge at all times.
Dianka, thanks, and thanks for the link, I'll check it out.
This looks so good. My little sister will go mad when she tastes it she loves feta...
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