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A dip is a flavorful mixture that accompanies certain food items. Like salad dressings, dips should complement or enhance a food’s flavor. Depending on their ingredients and purpose, dips can be served hot or cold. Cold dips often use mayonnaise, sour cream, or cream cheese as a base. Make cold dips the same way as mayonnaise-based salad dressings, although dips are normally thicker than salad dressings. You can thin many cold dips for use as salad dressing. It’s important for a dip to have the proper consistency. Any dip should be soft enough to scoop up with a cracker, chip, or vegetable, but thick enough to stay on it. Serve each dip at the proper consistency and serving temperature. Most dips become thicker as they are held in the refrigerator. Some dips are heated in the oven or microwave before serving.