Dips are a party delight that everyone seems to love. There are all kinds of options to fit your taste or diet, and many can be made in advance.

Of course, your dip needs something to stick to or sit on, and the choices are numerous: chips, crackers, veggies (aka crudités ), breadsticks, toasted pita bread are some of the possibilities. To get the basics on serving dip, check out startcooking's Vegetable and Dip Platter video, the Onion and Spinach Dip post and Fruit Dip made with macaroons.

Despite what folks think, dips are easy to make and can be quite healthy.

Hot or cold, dips are key to any great party.

Cold Dips

1. Shrimp: If you're looking to keep things healthy and tasty, this recipe can't be beat. Low-fat cottage cheese subs for sour cream, which is used in most dips. You can indulge and be kind to your heart.
2. Spinach: This dip is fabulous for reasons beyond the fact that it's just delicious. It can be made 2 or 3 days in advance of your festivities, and will just get better as it sits in your fridge. On party day, whip out this dipper with an interesting array of chopped veggies and your guests will cha-cha the night away.
3. Black Bean: It's healthy, it's scrumptious and it rocks! On a pita or a tortilla chip, this dip is guaranteed to get your party started. Don't be afraid to spice this one up with a good dose of cayenne pepper.
4. Tzatziki: Forget about trying to spell it or pronounce it. All that matters is that this Greek cucumber and yogurt dip is refreshing and simple. It's also perfect to make a day in advance, so you have less to worry about on party day.
5. 7 Layer Dip: This is a more decadent option from startcooking that includes layers of bean dip, avocado, seasoned sour cream, olives, tomatoes, green onions and cheese. Plan to have lots of tortilla chips on hand because guests will want to get to the bottom of it!

Hot Dips

6. Artichoke: This is a ridiculously simple dip to make and is hugely popular right now in many restaurants. I confess that I'm not a big fan of eating artichoke but, for some reason, I can totally wolf it down when it's in a dip!
7. Eggplant: If you love babaganoush, this is a cool variation that mixes in a touch of tomato puree.
8. Asparagus: If you're a fan of the green spear, this warm and chunky dipper is going to please. This goes beautifully with thin slices of French bread that have been brushed with olive oil and then toasted in the oven.
9. Crab: This dip is probably one of the most challenging to make, but here's a terrific short-cut recipe. Don't be afraid to use canned crab instead of the fresh stuff, and no one will even guess you slipped this into the microwave to heat up. Shhhhh.

Quick Tip: If you simply have zero time to make a dip, there are still options other than that jar of ranch dressing. These days, your supermarket has interesting choices that can work in a pinch and still delight your guests. Hummus is popular and comes in interesting flavors — my favorites are red pepper or roasted garlic. You'll typically find it in the veggie section of the store. Some companies are also making fresh onion dips. But at the end of the day, a simple Mexican salsa with tortilla chips works well, too.

Just be sure to take store-bought dips out of their original packaging and put them in an attractive bowl. Sometimes, presentation is the key to making store-bought taste a bit better.

Heck, you might even fool a few guests, too!

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