9 kick-as* DIPS to order when you are playing host in a hurry

A few crunchy snacks and delicious dips to go with the tipple make for the perfect party menu. From the exotic Dry Fruit Muhammrah to the fiery habanero Chilli Salsa, The GUIDE brings you the best from Mumbai's dial-a-dip directory. Compiled by Bhairavi Jhaveri, Anjana Vaswani, Melissa D'costa, Shikha Shah and Aditi Sharma

Creamy Red Pepper Dip, Green Asparagus Dip

At Mansi Amersey's Call-A-Dip Service

Mansi H Amersey, a resident of Gamdevi says her fondness for cooking began when her Masters degree led her to move from Switzerland to Boston and then to London, where she ended up spending enough time in the kitchen. "I worked for a multinational, and that job didn't leave me with half the satisfaction I experienced when a guest enjoyed a dish I had prepared," she smiles.

Her interest led her to sign up for cooking courses at Sophia College, work in the kitchens of the Taj President Hotel, and develop her skill at London's Le Cordon Bleu. She now stirs up seven varieties of dips and spreads at home. The Creamy Red Pepper Dip and Green Asparagus Dip are her bestsellers. A vegetarian herself, Mansi says her menu will always be strictly vegetarian.

For: Creamy Red Pepper Dip for Rs 325 for 300 gms, Green Asparagus Dip for Rs 300 for 300 gms
Call: Mansi on 9819085455

Muhammrah Dry Fruit Dip

At Moshe's
The eatery that introduced Mumbai to Mediterranean food, now stocks a variety of pre-packed dips on the take-away shelves of its Colaba branch. We tried three varieties, and our favourite turned out to be the Tapenade, a popular French hors d'oeuvre prepared with finely chopped olives and capers. The Muhammrah, a dry fruit dip, was also delicious, though a bit sweet. Made from red pepper and parsley, this dry dip is best eaten with pita bread. The Labaneh, a Lebanese favourite, is prepared with yoghurt and cheese and served on a Mezze platter with hot and cold finger-foods.

For: Labaneh for Rs 98 for 200 gms, Tapenade for Rs 160 for 200 gms and Muhammrah for Rs 160 for 200 gms.
At: Moshe's, opposite Dharam Palace, near Regal Cinema, Colaba.
Call 22020934

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Creamy Yoghurt Sandwich Dip and Tangy Classic Mexican Salsau00a0

At Tangy Tamarivd
Ever since this Continental restaurant opened shop on Pali Hill, and then moved on to the busy Linking Road stretch, it's been known for whipping up that delicious yoghurt-based sandwich dip. Many of Bandra's party hosts/hostesses have ordered it in, shamelessly claiming it's their own own culinary creation. But the real Bandra foodie will know it when he tastes it. The dip, prepared using onion, garlic and cheese, meshes well with anything from classic potato chips, to Tortilla and herbed bread. Those who dig spice can take home the Mexican Salsa.

For: Rs 120 for 300 gms
At: Tangy Tamarind, 2nd Floor, Hotel New Castle, above Only Parathas, Linking Road, Khar (W). Call 26498549

Fragrant and low-cal Basil Hummus

At Falafel's
A popular Middle Eastern dip traditionally served with Pita bread, the Hummus is made from cooked, mashed chickpeas and is one of the most popular items on Falafel's menu. We suggest you try the interesting variants like the Basil Hummus. They also offer the Jain Hummus. The Tahini is another dip prepared with roasted sesame seeds, spices and dati. The cherry on the cake it's protein packed, and without the extra olive oil drizzle, it makes for the tastiest dip the weight-conscious lot can hope to gorge on.

For: Regular Hummus for Rs 70 for 250 gms, Tehina for Rs 70 for 250 gms, Basil Hummus for Rs 95 for
250 gms.
At: Falafel's Veg Hummus House outlets across the city.

Water Chestnut-Spinach Dip, Cucumber Mousse

At Namrata/Sapna's Mandal's Call-A-Dip Service

Namrata and Sapna Bajaj, siblings from Colaba started off making cakes 19 years ago, after they attended a course with a visiting Cordon Bleu chef who had been invited to India by the Taj Mahal Hotel. The duo's experiments with savoury recipes is more recent. "As our cakes and chocolates grew popular, we were flooded with requests for fancy party appetisers, and novel cuisine for the more refined palate," adds Sapna, who also rustles Sushi and fancy salads on demand.

Though their range of dips and spreads includes everything from cheesy dips to fancy mousses and pastes, the sisters are especially proud of their Water Chestnut and Spinach Dip, which they serve in a bowl carved out of Pumpernickel bread. Their Cucumber Mousse Dip prepared from yoghurt is best eaten with Lavache (Mediterranean crackers).

For: Water Chestnut and Spinach Dip for Rs 1,000 (serves 10 to 12). Cucumber Mousse for Rs 450 (serves 10 to 12)

Call: Namrata on 9867417309 and Sapna on 9821163571

Cream Cheese Garlic and Green Peas Hummus

At Theobroma

This little SoBo deli sells four dips that are prepared fresh every day. The Green Peas Hummus costs Rs 80, the Barbeque Dip and Cream Cheese Garlic Dip come for Rs 100 for a 150 gms pack. We love the Cream Cheese Garlic Dip for its soft mix of cheese with minced garlic. Perfect to go with soup sticks for Sunday breakfast.
for: Rs 80 onwards

At: Theobroma, Shop No. 24, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Apollo Bunder. Call 22873778

Rajma Hummus and Herbal Green Garlic

AT Rabia Mandal's Call-A-Dip Service

Colaba resident Rabia Mandal has been churning out delicious dips for close to a decade. She says Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the secret ingredient she can't do without. Herbal Mint, Herbal Dip Chilli Flakes, Rajma Hummus, Herbal Dip Celery, Herbal Dip Green Garlic, Herbal Black Pepper and Chickpeas Hummus go well with chips, or better still with sliced carrots and cucumbers. The Herbal Dip Mustard, the dip that doesn't use olive oil, is great to enhance the flavour of burgers or rolls.

For: Rs 95 for 250 gms (Rajma Hummus, Chickpeas Hummus and Fresh Green Garlic at Rs 100 each for 250 gms)
At: Roshan's Homemade Products on 9821367493. Also at Regal Dryfruits, LJ Road, Matunga (W).
Call 24301252. Also available at Chheda Dry Fruits, Matunga.
Call 24141672. And at Appetiite, Kemps Corner. Call 23887373

Chicken Liver Pate with Melba Toast

At Candies

This one may sound more adventurous than your run-of-the-mill variety, but it sells like hot cakes, says Candice, owner of this quaint bakery-cum-deli chain in Bandra. All you have to do is inform the team here a day in advance, and you can pick up as many servings as you need, depending on the size of the group you are hosting. Just smother some of it on to their scrumptious Melba toast, and bite in.
For: Rs 60 for a single serving
At: Candies, Mac Ronells, 5AA Pali Hill, St Andrews Road, near Learners Academy, Pali Hill, Bandra (W).
Call 26424124 / 26422324

Fiery Habanero Chilli Salsa

At Big Daddy
Big Daddy is a food delivery joint that specialises in Mexican and Italian food, promising to deliver at your doorstep within 30 minutes. They have 10 varieties of dips to offer. The 3 salsa dips include the basic Tomato and Jalapeno Salsa Dips and the made-to-order Verde Salsa Dip made from green tomatoes (has a shelf-life of just 24 hours, so gobble up). The Ranch dips include the American Ranch Dip (Rs 40) made with eggless mayo and lots of herbs, Jalapeno Ranch Dip and Tobasco Ranch Dip. The olive-based dips include Olive and Cheesy Cream Dip (Rs 55) and Olive Oil and Balsamic Dip which can be ordered in a combination with Focaccia Strips (freshly baked, herbed bread split into strips). The dip and strip combination costs Rs 90. If you are in the mood to experiment, call for the Habanero Chilli Salsa (Rs 65), which is a "very, very, very spicy" dip, the Chipotle Dip (Rs 65) made from dried and desecated Mexican chilli, or the Guacamole Dip (Rs 60). Proprietor Sanjeev Raj Bagga says, "Guacamole is so good, it needs nothing to go with it. Your fingers are enough!" Try it with Nachos, French Fries or Chips if you aren't a Hannibal-style gourmet.

For: Rs 35 onwards
At: Big Daddy. Delivery from Goregaon(E) to Borivli (E), Oshiwara to Juhu, and Juhu to Bandra Reclamation.
Call: 9819930930, 9819930830

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