Dips for Parties and Barbies

I love dips and I always serve them at my parties or barbies, whether I dish them up with crackers, crisps or vegetables they always seem to be popular. The only problem in the summer is keeping the dips cool, because let’s face it the last thing you want to do is give your guests food poisoning! In the quest to keep my dips cool (I do live in a hot climate) I came across the Pedestal Dip Chiller and it’s absolutely fantastic!

The ceramic platter of the dip chiller is white which means that it’s going to go with whatever décor you’re having at your party. It’s also dishwasher safe which I love, love, love……..the cleaning up after a party or barbie is the part I absolutely hate and I know I can’t be alone in that!

The platter has a 12 inch diameter which means it’s got plenty of room on it, the dip bowl is removable which makes for easy top up should your dip become too popular! It even comes with four dip forks (I can honestly say that I don’t usually use dip forks, but it’s always nice to get something extra!).

How does the pedestal dip chiller keep the dip cool?   The answer is with ice!   Quite simply you fill the pedestal part with ice and being ceramic this conducts the coolness of the ice through to the dip.

How easy is that?   It's often the easiest ideas that tend to be the most effective and this certainly is the case with this pedestal dip chiller as you can see in the picture opposite.

This pedestal dip chiller also makes a great gift idea for a housewarming gift, engagement or wedding gift……..or for just about any occasion! In keeping with the gift idea the manufacturers have provided a great gift box with it. This gift box looks like a hat box and is ‘so cool’ in the words of my dd that you wouldn’t even need to add gift wrap :)

Now for the boring bits –

Features & specs:

• Dimensions: 5" tall x 11.75" diameter
• Dimensions of ice reservoir: 4" deep x 4" diameter
• Dimensions of dip bowl: 2" deep x 4" diameter
• Material: ceramic
• Includes four dipping forks
• Dip bowl capacity: 6 ounces
• Dishwasher and microwave safe

Now that you’ve found the ideal dip chiller for your next barbie, what dip are you planning on using? There is a very popular Kiwi classic dip called the Kiwi onion dip that is very easy to make and I add a little twist which makes mine stand out from the crowd –

Kiwi Onion Dip with a Twist

1 tin (395g) reduced cream

1 pkt (32g) French onion soup mix

Branston pickle (small chunks version is best)

Mix the French onion soup into the reduced cream and then add a couple of tablespoons of the Branston pickle (the amount you want to add will depend on how strong you want the flavor to be). Mix well and then pop in the fridge to chill while you get on with the other preparations.