Dip

Drained nonfat yogurt—rather than mayonnaise or sour cream—provides the creamy texture. Start making this dip a day ahead, and try it with apple or pear slices.

Similar to the peanut sauce that accompanies an Indonesian satay, this would be nice with chips or crudités.

Be sure to use the whipped cream cheese sold in tubs—it will give this dip a smooth, light texture—and not the regular cream cheese in blocks. If the dip seems a little salty, just serve it with unsalted chips.

The ultimate onion dip? You decide.

This dip is great with crudités or crackers, on sandwiches, or with cold meats. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 20 min

This is very easy to prepare and it makes an elegant addition to any party.

Our food editors were evenly divided concerning which dipping sauce they preferred with the duck salad. Some liked the nuoc cham because of the depth of flavor imparted by the fish sauce; others leaned toward the sweetness and heat of the chile sauce. Make one or both, depending on your taste.

Nam Prik Ong Relishes are a cornerstone of Thai cooking, playing a crucial role in the balance of hot, salty, sour, and sweet that Southeast Asian cuisine strives for. The vegetables are traditionally dipped into the relish and then eaten, but you might find it easier to use a plate. Because this dish is quite spicy even with just a few chiles, we suggest using the least amount the first time you make the recipe. Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

A sophisticated yet simple dip that is wonderful with toast triangles, crackers or some assorted raw vegetables.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(BAGNA CAUDA) The name of this warm dip of melted butter, olive oil, anchovies and garlic means "hot bath." It is usually accompanied by raw vegetables. Pour a dry white Arneis or a Gavi with this.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Feel free to add, subtract, or substitute any raw or cooked vegetables you'd like, but make sure there's a good variety of textures and colors.

This is one of the never-absent standard-bearers of the Greek meze table, a classic dish found from one corner of the country to the other, on almost every taverna and meze menu.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Keep the fried shallots, dip, chips, and raw vegetables separately; just before digging in, top the dip with shallots.