Delicious Veggie Dips

Dips are a fun way to increase your family’s vegetable intake. Sadly, most store-bought varieties are filled with unhealthy ingredients. The following recipes, however, are so healthy that they will actually add to the nutritional profile of your veggies!

Guacamole – quick and simple

3 Avocadoes      
Celtic sea salt to taste
Juice from ~1/3 lemon or ½ lime   
Thin cross-section slice of red onion, chopped finely

Place all ingredients in food processor and blend well. Modify lemon and salt as you go.

Zucchini Hummus (no beans)

This is a nice alternative for those who develop digestive upset after consuming beans/legumes.

2 zucchini, peeled and chopped
¾ cup tahini
½ cup fresh lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 ½ tsp Celtic sea salt
½ Tbsp ground cumin
 
Combine all ingredients in a food processor; blend until thick and smooth.
Serve with slices of cucumber, zucchini, celery or carrots.
 
Source: RAWvolution, by Matt Amsden

Refried Almonds  - texture of refried beans, but raw…. and made with almonds!

1 cup raw almonds; soaked 8-12 hours… then drain
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1-2 garlic cloves, crushed
¼ cup sundried tomatoes; soaked 15minutes then drain & chop
¼ cup red onion, diced
Pinch of cayenne
Celtic sea salt to taste
 
Combine well in food processor.
 
Source: Raw Foods for Busy People by Jordan Maerin

Salsa

Fresh tomatoes; chop in quarters, remove seeds and the chop in to smaller pieces
Cucumber; slice in half lengthwise, remove seeds and then chop
2-3 Tbsp cilantro, chopped finely
2-3 Tbsp red onion, chopped finely
1-2 Jalapeno peppers, chopped finely (optional)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 ½ - 2 Tbsp lime juice
Celtic sea salt and pepper, to taste

Combine in a bowl and toss well. Refrigerate 2-4 hours, to allow flavours to blend.
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Veggies worthy of dipping: red peppers, carrots (not ‘baby’ or ‘mini’), celery, endive, radish, cucumber, zucchini, jicama, broccoli, grape tomatoes, cauliflower, thinly sliced beet & sweet potato (yes, raw!)