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Dips, Spreads, & Dressings
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Ketchup
As a sweet sauce, a little ketchup can go a long way. You can moderate your sugar intake by experimenting with variations of this recipe. Reduce the amount of sugar by half, or try using 3/4 cup honey or 2/3 cup molasses (or even finely ground figs or dates, to taste) as a healthier sweetener. Note: Any liquid ingredients will make your ketchup a bit thinner.

Mayonnaise
Watching eggs and oil swirl together and emulsify into thick, creamy mayonnaise seems almost like a magic trick. And the flavor is delightful.

Tartar Sauce
Mix all the ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Chill until ready to use. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Carolina-Style Barbecue Sauce
Carolina-style barbecue has a decidedly piquant flavor in comparison to its ketchup-based cousins. This sauce is great with grilled chicken, and it makes a mean pulled-pork sauce. You can even use it as a marinade before grilling. Substitute a ½ cup honey or ½ cup maple syrup for the granulated sugar, if you wish.

BBQ Sauce With Cocoa and Molasses
Commercial BBQ sauces are often high in sugar, usually in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. This recipe balances the sweetness of caramelized onions, tomatoes, honey, and molasses with the earthiness of cocoa powder. This sauce is best made a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld.

Gingered-Carrot Relish
This lacto-fermented relish makes a lovely condiment for Asian-inspired grilled meats and fish, and it is wonderful in a salad, sandwich, or rice-bowl dish. Adapted from Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon.

Wine Vinegar
Wine vinegar is a great way to use up leftover wine. Red wine produces the fullest flavor, but rosé or white will work as well. This recipe is inspired by Ideas in Food, by Aki Kamozawa and H. Alexander Talbot.

Beet Ketchup
A creative and healthy alternative to commercial ketchup, which is usually made with high-fructose corn syrup. Try to make this the day before serving so the flavors can meld.

Seed Butter
Make a peanut-butter alternative with your favorite seeds. Roasting the seeds before blending gives the butter a lovely flavor and color. You could try adding a dash of cinnamon or cocoa powder if you like.

Lemon Aioli
This French-style mayonnaise of garlic, olive oil and lemon is wonderful as a condiment with steamed or grilled vegetables, fish and soups, or as a spread when making sandwiches. Lasts for one week in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator.

Turkey Gravy
Serve this delicate yet deeply flavorful, and healthy gravy over sliced turkey, mashed potatoes — and all kinds of Thanksgiving leftovers.

Spinach Yogurt Dip
This dip is a great alternative to the traditional mayo-heavy versions.
Classic Vinaigrettes and Basil Oil
Try this classic vinaigrette recipe, along with some variations!

Classic Creamy Caesar Dressing
A classic since the 1940s, this dressing takes a homemade mayonnaise base and ramps it up with the strong, addictive flavors of garlic, lemon and Parmesan cheese.

Cucumber Yogurt Dressing With Mint
This dressing is based on tzatziki, a classic Greek sauce used for grilled meats.

Roasted Tomato Maple Salad Dressing
Reminiscent of the “Catalina” dressing so popular in the 1960s and ’70s, but much healthier.

Tahini Lemon Dressing
This Middle Eastern–inspired dressing is great on grilled vegetables or fresh salad greens, and also makes a great side for grilled meats.

Thai Peanut Dressing
This Asian-inspired vinaigrette pairs well with a variety of fresh salad greens and shredded cabbage. It can also enliven rice or buckwheat noodles, steamed vegetables, or be used as a dipping sauce for fresh spring rolls.

Sesame-Shiitake Vinaigrette
Light and zesty, this vinaigrette pairs well with a variety of fresh salad greens, especially spinach, and shredded cabbage. It can also enliven rice or buckwheat noodles, as well as steamed vegetables.

Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Dressing
Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives this versatile vinaigrette the zippy freshness to go with just about any salad.

Basic French Vinaigrette
A dressing that should be in every confident cook’s arsenal. Pair any high-quality oil with an acid (such as vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice), season, and you’ve got a simple and endlessly versatile vinaigrette that goes with just about any salad.