Here at Italian Recipes, we love a delicious and satisfying snack! We especially love all types of crunchy breadsticks. They’re so versatile and can be enjoyed on their own when you’re feeling peckish, as an aperitivo, or as a side to bring your whole meal together. This week, we’re putting tasty grissini (breadsticks) in the spotlight and looking at all the different ways they can be enjoyed at home – as always, taking inspiration from our favourite Italian cuisine.
What to dip breadsticks in?
When it comes to enjoying breadsticks, Italian cuisine offers a delightful array of dips to complement them. One popular choice is marinara sauce, a classic tomato-based sauce infused with garlic and herbs. Its rich, tangy flavour makes it an excellent accompaniment for grissini and other traditional Italian appetisers.
Another delectable dip option is pesto, a vibrant sauce crafted from fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Its vibrant green hue and intense, aromatic taste create a perfect harmony with breadsticks. Pesto's unique combination of ingredients adds a touch of freshness and complexity to every dip.
For a creamy and indulgent experience, consider trying a roasted red pepper dip. Made by blending roasted red peppers with creamy ingredients like cream cheese or mayonnaise, this dip boasts a subtle smokiness and a smooth texture. The dip's lusciousness pairs wonderfully with the crispiness of breadsticks, creating a satisfying contrast of flavours and textures.
An alternative dip worth exploring is balsamic vinegar reduction. By simmering balsamic vinegar until it thickens and develops a syrupy consistency, you create a tangy and slightly sweet dip. The reduction's deep and complex flavour profile adds a touch of sophistication to breadsticks, elevating their taste with its distinctive notes.
Finally, if you're seeking a lighter and refreshing dip, consider a Mediterranean-inspired tzatziki. Although not strictly Italian, this Greek yogurt-based dip infused with cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs offers a cool and creamy option. Its zesty and herbaceous taste provides a delightful contrast to the crunchy texture of breadsticks.
Whichever dip you choose, these Italian-inspired options will undoubtedly enhance your breadstick experience, bringing a burst of flavour and making every bite a delight.
Delicious and sophisticated breadsticks
Once a beloved appetiser, breadsticks had fallen out of favour for a period of time, relegated to the side lines as other trendy snacks took centre stage. However, in a delightful turn of events, breadsticks have made a triumphant comeback with a twist. Gone are the plain and ordinary sticks of the past. Nowadays, breadsticks have experienced a renaissance, boasting an array of delicious flavours that have reignited their popularity. With offerings such as sesame and rosemary, these revitalised breadsticks have captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts everywhere. The aromatic essence of sesame pairs perfectly with the crunchy texture of the bread, whilst the infusion of rosemary adds a delightful herbal note. With these new delectable flavours, breadsticks have re-established themselves as an irresistible and versatile snack, making a triumphant return to appetiser menus and households alike.
Italian dip recipe inspiration
One of our favourite ways to enjoy grissini is with a delicious, flavoursome dip. We highly recommend them with a creamy and subtle dip like humous or tomato salsa, but we also love them as a side to a comforting pasta bake, creamy risotto, or a speedy pasta dish.
If you’re looking for the perfect Italian dip for your breadsticks, we have a few suggestions that you might like: a unique, protein-packed lupin humous, an elegant sun-dried tomato dip, or a speedy artichoke dip.
Lupin humous dip
A common addition to antipasti boards, lupin beans are no stranger to Italian cuisine. They are part of the pea family, and like many other bean types, they have their nutritional benefits such as being high in fibre and protein. But it’s their sweet and nutty flavour that we love about lupins, so we’ve made it into a hearty humous to go perfectly with our breadsticks!
Here's what you'll need:
250g Organic Lupin Beans
1 tsp Diced Garlic
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp Lemon Juice
60g tahini paste
Pinch of pepper
Instructions:
1. Drain the lupin beans and add them to a blender, followed by all the other ingredients. Blitz everything together until smooth. If the mixture is a little too thick, you can loosen it with a little more olive oil.
2. The humous is best served chilled, so we recommend placing it in an airtight container and keep in the fridge until cold. The humous is then fine to store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
3. Serve with the Monviso Tomato & Basil Artisanal Breadsticks and enjoy!
Sun-dried tomato dip
Sun-dried tomatoes make it really easy to upgrade many types of dishes and boost flavour. In this case, they perfectly complement the classic tomato and basil flavour of the breadsticks, and if you’re looking for something to bring your party food together, this is the perfect addition!
Here's what you'll need:
65g Sun-dried Tomatoes in Oil
225g cream cheese
120g sour cream
120g good quality mayonnaise
1 tsp Chilli Sauce
Salt
Pepper
2 spring onions, thinly sliced (plus extra to garnish)
Instructions:
1. Place everything apart from the spring onions into a blender and blitz to a smooth paste.
2. Add the spring onions and pulse a few times to combine.
3. Place in a serving dish, cover, and refrigerate to chill. Just before serving, sprinkle the extra spring onions on top.
Artichoke dip
If you’re looking for something a little different to the standard dips you normally find in the supermarket, we highly recommend this unique, homemade artichoke dip. Artichokes are full of wonderful flavour that are not too powerful, so it goes well with lots of different types of foods and snacks. Artichokes are also packed with many nutritional benefits such as being low in fat and high in fibre as well as being rich in vitamins such as C and K, minerals, and antioxidants.
Here's what you’ll need:
240g Artichoke Hearts in Oil
½ tsp Lemon Juice
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
Instructions:
1. Place the artichoke hearts in a food processor or blender, followed by lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add the parsley and stir to combine.
3. Sprinkle the dip with a little extra parsley and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
What to do with leftover breadstick dips?
Do not throw them away! Leftover dips can be repurposed in many creative and delicious ways. Here are some ideas for what to do with leftover dips:
Sandwich Spreads: Use the leftover dip as a spread for sandwiches or wraps. Whether it's marinara sauce, pesto, or tzatziki, they can add a burst of flavour to your sandwiches. Spread it on bread or wraps before adding your favourite fillings for a tasty twist.
Pasta Sauces: Repurpose leftover marinara sauce or roasted red pepper dip as a base for pasta sauces. Heat them up and toss with cooked pasta for a quick and easy meal. You can also add some additional ingredients like vegetables, cooked meat, or cheese to customise the sauce.
Pizza Toppings: Turn your leftover dips into pizza toppings. Spread the breadstick dip on pizza dough, add your favourite toppings, and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted. It's a great way to use up dips while creating a delicious homemade pizza.
Dipping Sauce for Other Snacks: Use the leftover dips as dipping sauces for other snacks. They can be great accompaniments for cooked chicken, potato wedges, or vegetable sticks. The tangy and flavourful dips can elevate the taste of various snacks.
Salad Dressings: Transform your leftover dips into salad dressings. Thin them out with a little extra virgin olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice to create a tasty dressing for your salads. Adjust the consistency and seasonings according to your preference.
Baked Appetisers: Incorporate leftover dips into baked appetisers. Stuff mushrooms or peppers with a mixture of dip and breadcrumbs, then bake until the vegetables are tender and the filling is golden brown. It's a fantastic way to utilise dips and create flavourful appetisers.
Note: Remember to store the leftover dips properly in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Use them within a few days or freeze them for longer storage. We hope that these additional ideas give you even more reasons to make your own delicious dips!
Final thoughts on Italian breadstick dips
We hope you love our recommended dips to go with breadsticks. They are the perfect addition to any antipasti board or brunch to treat your family or guests to, especially if you’re looking for something unique to wow them with. Our favourite – and traditional Italian – way to serve these is to simply arrange everything on a board or platter and let everyone dig in and help themselves!