If you're looking for a flavorful, eye-catching holiday appetizer that comes together in a pinch, look no further than this festive 5-minute creamy avocado dip! This is one of the best dips to pair with my go-to chip, Plant Snacks cassava root chips! These two are a sure crowd-pleaser.
This recipe is sponsored by Plant Snacks. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Blissful Basil.
The holidays are notoriously a stressful, rushed, and busy time of year. Despite our best efforts to simplify, cut back, and squeeze in self-care, the hurried holiday pace is nearly a forgone conclusion.
As a recovering perfectionist (I say this mostly playfully), the holidays can throw my perfection-seeking tendencies into overdrive. It's tempting to want to do it ALL. The picture-perfect holiday cards, tins full of homemade baked goods for neighbors and friends, a holiday spread of food fit for a queen, artfully wrapped packages adorned with twine and evergreen sprigs. You get the gist.
In this Pinterest-perfect world we live in, it's easy to perceive lack where there's actually great abundance.
And so, this year, Dan and I made a pact to streamline, simplify, and really feel thankful for what we already have. We're:
» Cutting out the holiday cards (not because we don't love our friends and family, but because the thought of taking on that task amongst so many others felt daunting and forced).
» Skipping the holiday decorating (our decorations are in Chicago, and we're still in Milwaukee).
» Protecting our energy by saying 'no' to the opportunities, events, and gatherings that aren't a "heck yes!"
» Cutting back on gifts for each other and saving that money to put towards travel with family and friends.
In general, I've also been keeping the holiday cooking, baking, and candlestick making (ha, just kidding) to a minimum. Because that's what feels right to me now, in this particular (holiday) season of life.
There's no shame in conserving and protecting our energy EVER, but especially not around the holidays. And if you need a reminder, remember that this is almost always true.
This creamy avocado dip is made in the spirit of keeping things simple. Despite taking all of five minutes to prepare, it's super pretty, it's nourishing, and it's delicious.
Plus, there’s no need to worry about peeling and slicing veggies to serve alongside the dip. Instead, I recommend pairing it with Plant Snacks’ cassava root chips. They’re light and crisp yet sturdy, which makes them perfect for dipping and scooping.
Plant Snacks’ cassava root chips are also vegan, free of the Big 8 Allergens, gluten-free, non-GMO, and free from added sugars, grains, corn, artificial flavors and preservatives. Simplicity for the win yet again!
To make this creamy dip, you'll add avocados, a bit of cashew yogurt (or other plant-based yogurt), cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and sea salt to a food processor.
Process for a few minutes, or until the mixture is super smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can skip the processing and simply mash the mixture with a fork.
Once the mixture is smooth, scoop it into a serving bowl and top with chopped toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds, black sesame seeds (optional), and cilantro leaves.
Serve this creamy avocado dip alongside plenty of Plant Snacks’ cassava root chips, especially the Beet with Vegan Goat Cheese and Sea Salt flavors.
(Be sure to keep an eye out for their Super Seed Mix and Vegan Cheddar flavors, too!)
Festive 5-Minute Creamy Avocado Dip
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled
- ⅓ cup plain unsweetened cashew yogurt, almond yogurt, or soy yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Small handful cilantro leaves, to taste
- 1 clove garlic, smashed and peeled
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ¼ cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped
- Black sesame seeds (optional)
- Plant Snacks cassava root chips (for serving)
Instructions
- Add the avocados, yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and sea salt to a food processor*. Process until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Scoop the avocado mixture into a serving bowl and top with the pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts, and sesame seeds (if using).
- Serve alongside Plant Snacks cassava root chips.
Notes
This looks delicious! I decided to skip decorating this year and I don't regret it! Went with flowers and bought a diffuser instead :)
Love that we're not the only ones skipping the decorating this year! Sometimes it just feels like too much, right? Whenever I say to myself "I need" to do something, I take it as a sign that I probably don't really want to do it and am doing it for other external reasons instead. That's how decorating felt this year! Happy holidays to you, Courtney!
This was a big hit for a holiday gathering I had for my employees! It was a fun & light introduction to the rest of the menu. The Plant Snacks were awesome. A new favorite snack.