Dip

If you don't have time to make your own hummus, buy some at the market or specialty foods store, and mix in chipotle chilies and cumin to taste.

Offer toasted pita bread triangles or toasted baguette slices with this tangy dip. It's nice with raw vegetables, too.

We use this dressing with our Onion-Crusted Fried Chicken Salad, but it's great, too, as a dip with pieces of fried chicken, vegetables, or best of all, with fried frogs' legs. It's a real thick dressing that gets even thicker when chilled.

This crowd-pleasing dip is a natural with potato chips and good with crudités, too.

For this easy starter, the nonfat yogurt is strained to a thick texture and then combined with oregano, lemon peel and cayenne.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

For this dip, based on the Mexican queso fundido, you will need to use a flameproof dish set over candles or Sterno to keep the cheese melted. Kevin Taylor, chef of Cafe Iguana, Denver, Colorado also offers guacamole with the chips.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. This quick Southwestern cheese dip benefits from a bit of brew in the mix — as it would from a cold Mexican beer enjoyed alongside.

This is inspired by the dip served at Ca'Brea in Los Angeles. Try it with sliced boiled potatoes, crostini or vegetables.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

This dip requires only three basic ingredients. If you're bringing it to a party, you can assemble it ahead of time in a disposable aluminum pan and throw it in the oven when you arrive. I got this recipe from Lisa Lombardo, a friend of mine who brought it all the way from Albany, New York, to my housewarming party in Brooklyn. Even after the long haul it still tasted great!

Yogurt gives this dressing tang and lightens it a bit for the weight-conscious.

This recipe was created to accompany Crudités and Grilled Sausages with Sweet and Hot Chutneys.

This relish is best at room temperature. Note that the nutritional numbers following the recipe are for the relish only.

(Greek Cucumber and Yogurt Salad)

Look for rice vinegar in the Asian foods section of your market.

Many kinds of vegetables and even some fruits go well with this versatile dip.