I think we can all agree some foods are pretty bland on their own. But sauces, dressings, dips… they make food taste WAY better. They can be the personality of the dish, the stand-out. You don’t have to settle for a dry burger or boring kale salad. Here I have an elevated condiment trio with three star of the show condiments that will elevate your dish, and make it taste just right.

The condiment trio is: Apricot Chili Goat’s Cheese Dip, Turmeric Honey Mustard Dressing and Secret Sauce Chutney. I guess you could say each of these is a classy take on the trio of mayo, mustard and ketchup; it was a total coincidence that it ended up this way! They CAN be eaten together, but they actually taste even more delicious on their own paired with different dishes. For instance the goat cheese dip is amazing with fresh salmon, while the secret sauce chutney is better on a juicy burger. So, let’s get into each of these saucy stars and how to use them.

Apricot Chili Goat Cheese Dip

Goat cheese is probably my favorite cheese. It’s tart, creamy and fresh. I use it on so many things, so I needed to find a way to change it up, add some variety to my daily goat cheese you know. I like making alternative versions of my favorite foods: mixing in different flavor profiles, adding a pinch of salt or spice. This Apricot Chili Goat Cheese Dip is so simple in ingredients yet so complex in flavor. Its sweet and spicy, but still tart from the cheese. It’s lusciously creamy and fresh; the perfect addition to a sandwich or dip for btoast or veggies.

The Pairings

• Put a dollop of this dip on a fresh piece of grilled salmon
• Use it as a dip with my Giant Sourdough Croutons or pita bread.
• Pair it with hummus and tatziki on a Mediterranean platter.
• Spread on toast and top with fresh mixed greens
• Put it on a cheese platter
• Use it to make my Apricot Chicken Salad

Turmeric Honey Mustard Dressing

Talk about that PERFECT drizzle. This is it. This turmeric honey mustard dressing is bright, creamy and perfectly balanced. But, most importantly it makes the ultimate drizzle. The honey and the mustard are star crossed lovers. It’s sweet and savory; the spice just tickling your tongue. A dash of vinegar adds acid, and the turmeric adds an earthiness that I never knew could be so good! This dressing can go on anything and everything. Believe me, when you try this you WILL start craving salads.

The Pairings

• Mix it into a green salad topped with feta and tomatoes. Inspired by my favorite salad ever: The Old Town Salad from 1810 Restaurant in Pasadena, California.
• Massage it into kale and add sunflower seeds.
• Drizzle it on fish or chicken or steak.
• Drizzle it on a buddha bowl filled with fresh vegetables and sweet potatoes.
• Use it as a dip for crispy roasted potatoes or mini hot dogs.
• Spread it on a fresh veggie and chicken wrap with hummus.

Secret Sauce Chutney

What is the best part of a burger? The secret sauce. Well, as good as it may taste, I’m not a big fan of the low quality condiments served at fast food chains. Here I’ve made a version of secret sauce that tastes just as delicious but is much more elevated. Instead of ketchup we use whole chopped heirloom tomatoes. Only a touch of mayonnaise and favorite gourmet relish from Stonewall Kitchen. This sweet chutney is reminiscent of secret sauce but does not taste one but like something out of a fast food chain. I dare you to put this on your burger next time you’re grilling from home.

The Pairings

• Put it on a classic hamburger or hot dog.
• Serve it with homemade fries or my Spicy Cinnamon Sweet Potato Fries
• Top it on steak.
• Make a bruschetta by putting it on toasted sourdough or baguette and adding fresh avocado.
• Make my Burger Buddha Bowl: Base of brown or white rice topped with ground beef, cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, avocado AND of course the Secret Sauce Chutney. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Whether you make this condiment trio for a party, or you make each sauce separately, I promise they will elevate your meals and turn them into something innovative and full of fun flavor.