Cute Crudité with High Protein "Ranch" Dip

With Easter, bridal showers, baby showers, graduations and the like around the corner I think we all get a little tired of the same stupid gratuitous vegetable platter that every hostess picks up from the grocery. Can't we do better than that? Using the last little baby vegetables from this photo shoot I did with Swooned , I wanted to create a better for you Ranch dressing type dip. 

My mind is spinning right now with what I can bring to Easter this year as we have our last big 'hurrah' at my Grandparent's old vineyard house. It's so sad to 'part ways' with the house as they downsize, but I guess what that really means is we need to have a big, shoving/pushing/egg hunting Easter like usual. And maybe amplified. In reality, I know nothing can top the time my Grandparents had my Dad dress as a bear and hide in the woods during the egg hunt to scare a 'city' uncle who was marrying into the family. Ah. Family festivities. So as far as appetizers go, I think I'll bring this dip and this rosewater cocktail. 

High Protein "Ranch" Dip

/// Ingredients ///

• 1/2 C raw cashews, soaked
• 1 C 0% Greek Yogurt, Plain 
• juice 1/2 lemon
• 1.5 T Herb Blend seasoning (For example, McCormick makes several ) 
• black pepper
• Chimichurri or chopped herbs with touch of olive oil

/// Directions/// Soak cashews in water for several hours. Drain and place in high powered blender with 1/4 C water. Pureé until smooth. Stir in Greek yogurt, lemon juice, herb seasoning (pick specific flavor profile based on if you want spicy or more herbal), freshly ground black pepper to taste. Put in a bowl and top with a dollop of chimichurri or chopped herbs mixed with olive oil. To create the swirl, use a chopstick or skewer to pull in a spiral motion. 

What are you doing for Easter? Do you have a go-to dip?