Fiesta Dip

Fiesta Dip is essentially a multi-layered, colourful, tasty and inviting Mexican appetizer dip that uses a host of interesting ingredients and delivers some persistent flavours that one simply cannot refuse.

 

Ingredients and Preparation

 

Although a variety of ingredients can be used to make the Fiesta Dip, a quick and easy Fiesta Dip requires- Sour cream, some sliced black olives, a diced tomato, mild green chilies (diced), ranch dressing mix, shredded cheddar cheese, and a bag of tortilla chips All the ingredients have simply to be mixed together, chilled and served with crisp Tortilla chips.

 

Nutritive Value

 

A single serving of ~ 90g provides:

• 226.4 calories with 148 calories from fat

• Total Fat content is 16.4 g with 7.3 g saturated fat

• Cholesterol content is 28.3 mg

• Sodium content is 473.1 mg and Potassium 611.7 mg

• Total carbohydrate content is 14.3 g with dietary fibre content of 1.8 g and 0.8 g sugars.

• Protein content is 6.6 g.

 

As such the Fiesta Dip is an energizing, fresh, protein rich food that can be eaten as an appetizer or anytime snack. It incorporates certain healthy ingredients like olives, cheese and veggies which deliver a reasonable amount of vitamins antioxidants, minerals like calcium, iron etc. making this a healthy option for persons who wish to gain weight or muscle mass as well as persons who wish to lose weight (if ingredients are tweaked accordingly).

 

Variations

 

1. Baked Cheese Fiesta Dip A Baked Cheese Fiesta Dip can be similarly prepared using softened cream cheese, grated cheese, sour cream, green chillies and paprika. Baking in a pie plate or quiche dish to gratinate the cheese layer is what gives the final cheesy crusty golden appearance to this fiesta dip.

2. A Seven Layered Fiesta Dip Refried beans can form the bottom layer, Sour cream and Taco Seasoning Mix are blended thoroughly and spread as the 2nd layer. Subsequent layers are formed of Cheese, tomatoes, onions, guacamole and sliced black olives.

3. A Vegan Seven Layered Fiesta Dip Black beans are pulverised along with salsa till they attain the consistency of refried beans. This forms the first bottom layer. Shredded soy cheese forms the 2nd layer, followed by taco-flavoured soy crumbles (browned in little olive oil, seasoned with taco seasoning mix). Sour cream forms the next layer, above which Guacamole is spread uniformly. Salsa, shredded cheese and black olives complete the last few layers.

 

Suggested Accompaniments:

This may either be served with French fries or chips. Crackers, herbed garlic bread toasts or whole wheat toasts are healthier options.

 

Nutritional Improvement

In order to reduce the overall fat content, sour cream and regular cheese may be substituted with fat reduced sour cream as well as reduced fat cheese for a saving of ~10 calories and about 1g fat per serving. Similarly, serving with baked tortilla or pita chips helps to save additional calories and fat.