Tips for increasing the enjoyment of Party Flavours' Dip Mixes
Tips to making and enjoying our delicious dips.
Directions For Use: Each package of our dip mix seasonings makes 2 cups of dip but it is mostly it is a matter of taste and our directions are only guidelines.
This is how our samples are made: Add our seasonings to 1 cup (250 ml) of real Mayonnaise (Not Salad Dressing) plus 1 cup (250 ml) of Sour Cream.
You can experiment with more or less of either sour cream or mayonnaise and don’t forget that you can add a little plain yogurt into your experiments as well. Some customers also substitute a little spreadable cream cheese into their dips. Find the combination that you like and impress your friends.
This is how our samples are made: Add our seasonings to 1 cup (250 ml) of real Mayonnaise (Not Salad Dressing) plus 1 cup (250 ml) of Sour Cream.
You can experiment with more or less of either sour cream or mayonnaise and don’t forget that you can add a little plain yogurt into your experiments as well. Some customers also substitute a little spreadable cream cheese into their dips. Find the combination that you like and impress your friends.
Dips Taste Different: “When I make up a dip it never tastes as good as your sample” or similar expressions is a comment that I sometimes hear from some of our customers. I suspect that the reason is either what I call the ‘Other Peoples’ Food Tastes Better’ syndrome or an error in Ingredients, Preparation or Time, or perhaps a combination of two or more of these.
Other People's Food Tastes Better: My mother always said that other peoples’ food tasted better to her than the food she prepared. None of the rest of us could understand why she said that because we thought that she was a very good cook. After many years I began to suspect that it wasn’t that she thought that she was a bad cook, but rather that for once she could go straight to the table and sit down and eat rather than first spending hours or sometimes days in the kitchen prepping and cooking; and she appreciated that so much that the food served became more special for her. So if you suspect that this might be the issue, by all means see if you can get someone else to prepare the dip for you and you can stop reading.
Ingredients: This should be easy to master because you have only 3 ingredients Mayonnaise, Sour Cream (Yes you can use 2 cups of plain Yogurt instead see below) & a bag of our Dip Mix Seasoning. The key is to use mayonnaise and not that “miracle product” that most people stock in their fridge. That “other” product will work but it will alter the taste and your dip mix will NOT taste like my samples.
Preparation: Mixing the 3 ingredients thoroughly (also applicable if you are substituting Yogurt instead) is a KEY step. Take the time to break up any powder clumps (Chipotle Bacon & Tomato Basil are especially prone to clumping) before mixing and then mix all ingredients thoroughly. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the container as you will find that the herbs and spices love to stick to the sides and bottom edges of your container. If you allow them to remain there, you will have less herbs and spices distributed throughout your mixture which in turn may result in reduced flavour and your dip mix may NOT taste as good as my samples.
Time: Yes, in an emergency you can eat the dip after it has rested in the fridge for about 2 hours but the flavours may not be as intense as you would like. You really need to give the dried herbs and spices time to regain some moisture and thus be able to impart their delicious flavour throughout the whole mixture. If at all possible, leave it covered and resting in the fridge overnight (longer doesn’t hurt either – within reason). If you don't give the herbs and spices time to impart their flavour throughout the mixture, your dip may NOT taste as good as my samples.
Stir Before Serving: Always remember to give the mixture a quick stir every time you take it out of the fridge to serve it. The flavours keep developing so always get in the habit of giving the dips a quick stir each time before you serve them.
Following these simple steps should produce the flavour that you tasted and loved in my samples.
Happy Dipping!
Other People's Food Tastes Better: My mother always said that other peoples’ food tasted better to her than the food she prepared. None of the rest of us could understand why she said that because we thought that she was a very good cook. After many years I began to suspect that it wasn’t that she thought that she was a bad cook, but rather that for once she could go straight to the table and sit down and eat rather than first spending hours or sometimes days in the kitchen prepping and cooking; and she appreciated that so much that the food served became more special for her. So if you suspect that this might be the issue, by all means see if you can get someone else to prepare the dip for you and you can stop reading.
Ingredients: This should be easy to master because you have only 3 ingredients Mayonnaise, Sour Cream (Yes you can use 2 cups of plain Yogurt instead see below) & a bag of our Dip Mix Seasoning. The key is to use mayonnaise and not that “miracle product” that most people stock in their fridge. That “other” product will work but it will alter the taste and your dip mix will NOT taste like my samples.
Preparation: Mixing the 3 ingredients thoroughly (also applicable if you are substituting Yogurt instead) is a KEY step. Take the time to break up any powder clumps (Chipotle Bacon & Tomato Basil are especially prone to clumping) before mixing and then mix all ingredients thoroughly. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the container as you will find that the herbs and spices love to stick to the sides and bottom edges of your container. If you allow them to remain there, you will have less herbs and spices distributed throughout your mixture which in turn may result in reduced flavour and your dip mix may NOT taste as good as my samples.
Time: Yes, in an emergency you can eat the dip after it has rested in the fridge for about 2 hours but the flavours may not be as intense as you would like. You really need to give the dried herbs and spices time to regain some moisture and thus be able to impart their delicious flavour throughout the whole mixture. If at all possible, leave it covered and resting in the fridge overnight (longer doesn’t hurt either – within reason). If you don't give the herbs and spices time to impart their flavour throughout the mixture, your dip may NOT taste as good as my samples.
Stir Before Serving: Always remember to give the mixture a quick stir every time you take it out of the fridge to serve it. The flavours keep developing so always get in the habit of giving the dips a quick stir each time before you serve them.
Following these simple steps should produce the flavour that you tasted and loved in my samples.
Happy Dipping!
Using Low Fat Varieties: If you use low fat varieties of sour cream and mayonnaise, you may find that the flavours of the dips are more intensified. If you find the flavours to be too strong for you, just add more sour cream and mayonnaise (in equal proportions) until you get the level of flavour that you like. The bonus is that you get more finished dip per package. I experimented with 1% Sour Cream and 1/2 Fat Mayonnaise and found that the flavours remained true to the full fat versions although it was less rich and creamy.
Using Yogurt: Our dip seasonings will mix fine into plain yogurt (regular of Greek varieties) but the resulting taste will be quite different than if using sour cream and mayonnaise. Some people like the flavour. Some people don't. Experiment a bit to find a combination that you like best.
Other Uses: Our dip mixes are very versatile as they can be added to other recipes. You can add them to bread mixes, soups, sauces, stews, chili, vegetables and rice, jambalaya. Try adding a dip mix to a meat you are cooking in a slow cooker or as seasoning in meat loaf. Infuse your favourite dip seasoning into olive oil and rub on chicken, lamb or fish before cooking. Your only limit is your own imagination! Just remember that you need some form of liquid to bring the flavours out of the dried herbs and spices.
Shelf-Life: If properly stored, herbs and spices do not generally go bad but they do lose their strength over time. Store them in a cool dark dry environment. For best results, our dip mix seasonings should be used within 12 months of when you purchase them.
Thin Mixture: If you find that your dips turn out a little too runny for your liking, try switching your brand of mayonnaise or use a little less mayonnaise. The light varieties of mayonnaise seem to be thicker than the regular fat mayonnaise so you can experiment with those as well. Adding a little cream cheese to the mix might also help.
Clumping: The granular/powder portion (usually found at the bottom of the bag) of some dip mix seasonings (especially the Tomato Basil and Chipotle Bacon) are prone to clumping or "caking" in the bag. This is a consequence of us not adding preservatives or anti-caking agents even though we could solve the clumping problem by doing so. Click HERE to see an explanation of Anti-Caking Agents.
If you find a dip that has clumped or "caked", break up the clumps before you mix up the dips. You will find that it is much easier to stir the spice mix evenly throughout the sour cream/mayonnaise mixture. This also helps get an even flavour distribution and lets you enjoy every bite.
Chipotle Bacon: After your Chipotle Bacon dip mix has been made up and has rested in the fridge, you may notice dark spots on the surface of the dip mix. This is normal. The chipotle pepper has been smoked and it is just the flavour trying to release from the dried peppers. Just give it a quick stir to help distribute all that smoky goodness throughout your dip - and enjoy.
Using Yogurt: Our dip seasonings will mix fine into plain yogurt (regular of Greek varieties) but the resulting taste will be quite different than if using sour cream and mayonnaise. Some people like the flavour. Some people don't. Experiment a bit to find a combination that you like best.
Other Uses: Our dip mixes are very versatile as they can be added to other recipes. You can add them to bread mixes, soups, sauces, stews, chili, vegetables and rice, jambalaya. Try adding a dip mix to a meat you are cooking in a slow cooker or as seasoning in meat loaf. Infuse your favourite dip seasoning into olive oil and rub on chicken, lamb or fish before cooking. Your only limit is your own imagination! Just remember that you need some form of liquid to bring the flavours out of the dried herbs and spices.
Shelf-Life: If properly stored, herbs and spices do not generally go bad but they do lose their strength over time. Store them in a cool dark dry environment. For best results, our dip mix seasonings should be used within 12 months of when you purchase them.
Thin Mixture: If you find that your dips turn out a little too runny for your liking, try switching your brand of mayonnaise or use a little less mayonnaise. The light varieties of mayonnaise seem to be thicker than the regular fat mayonnaise so you can experiment with those as well. Adding a little cream cheese to the mix might also help.
Clumping: The granular/powder portion (usually found at the bottom of the bag) of some dip mix seasonings (especially the Tomato Basil and Chipotle Bacon) are prone to clumping or "caking" in the bag. This is a consequence of us not adding preservatives or anti-caking agents even though we could solve the clumping problem by doing so. Click HERE to see an explanation of Anti-Caking Agents.
If you find a dip that has clumped or "caked", break up the clumps before you mix up the dips. You will find that it is much easier to stir the spice mix evenly throughout the sour cream/mayonnaise mixture. This also helps get an even flavour distribution and lets you enjoy every bite.
Chipotle Bacon: After your Chipotle Bacon dip mix has been made up and has rested in the fridge, you may notice dark spots on the surface of the dip mix. This is normal. The chipotle pepper has been smoked and it is just the flavour trying to release from the dried peppers. Just give it a quick stir to help distribute all that smoky goodness throughout your dip - and enjoy.
