SINS OF OMISSION

I have received a compliant about the recent lack of recipe's in the content of my blogs. On reflection it is all to true, I have been rather prone to waffling of late, so a thousand pardons to the complainant, I shall remedy the matter at once.
I have been amazed recently by the cost of small tubs of dip that are to be found in supermarkets these days. Then there are the small packets of mixture to be sprinkled in to mayonnaise or crème fraich ladies and gentlemen we are being ripped off! Here are a few recipes that are quick to do,cheap to make and will turn an ordinary bowl of chips or wedges into a tasty supper.

Lemon and Dill Dip
5 tablespoons of mayonnaise (or crème fraiche
Rind of half a lemon
Half a teaspoon of dried dill or a tablespoon of fresh
A pinch of salt
Mix the ingredients in a small bowl and refrigerate for and hour or so.
This is good with chicken or fish. Or just a bowl of chips

Horse radish and mustard dip
Small tub of crème fraiche of sour cream
I tablespoon of horsehadish (less if you do not like it too hot, and the bottled sort is best)
1 dessert spoon of made mustard, I use Dijon
pinch of salt
ten twists of fresh ground pepper.
Mix all the ingredients together and chill for a couple of hour
This is terrific with grilled trout. Salmon or steak, you can spoon it on to Yorkshire puddings and at a barbecue it is splendid on a beef burger. Very versatile.


Italian herb dip
This one is a breeze.
Five tablespoons of mayonnaise
1 teaspoon of garlic salt
half a teaspoon full of Italian seasoning ( thyme, rosemary ,basil and marjoram/oregano) This can be purchased for just over a pound as a mix and will last for ages.
6 twists of fresh ground black pepper.
Mix in a small bowl and chill for about two hours, less if you use fresh herbs.

Cheats hot tomato dip or sauce if you make more of it
Half a cup of tomato ketchup
quarter cup of tomato purree
teaspoon of sugar
pinch of salt
1 clove of garlic crushed or a teaspoon of garlic salt.
juice of an orange
If you like it very hot add a little cayenne pepper or as much chilli as you are comfortable with, I hate the stuff but if you like it go ahead.
Put all the ingredients in to a small saucepan and heat, do not boil, serve at once
This makes a lively change from parsley sauce with any fish and is good with tortillas or chips.

Blue cheese dip
2 oz of any soft blue cheese
half a cup of crème fraiche
salt and pepper to taste
! teaspoon of lemon juice.
Mix in a small bowl and chill until needed
Serve with crackers or jacket potatoes

My own favourite is the simplest of all and I think I may have already cast the recipe in to the ether but here goes
Tarragon dip
1 tub of crème fraiche
1 tablespoon of fresh chopped Russian Tarragon (much better than French)
salt and ground pepper to taste.
Mix in a small bowl and chill until needed. You can substitute dried tarragon if you grind it up in a pestle. Chopped fresh chives can also be used a s a substitute and are very good. Do not be tempted to use dried chives they really are ghastly!

I hope this swift trot through the dips is satisfactory and I promise more recopies and less waffle in the future.