Instructions: In a medium bowl using a fork, stir together all of the ingredients, blending until completely smooth. Cover; refrigerate until ready to use.

Yield: About 1/4 cup.

VARIATIONS

Barbecue: Omit lemon juice and add 1 tablespoon prepared barbecue sauce. C

Basil: Add 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil and 2 tablespoons seeded, diced tomato. C & E

Buttermilk: Substitute buttermilk for the sour cream and add 1 tablespoon minced green onions or chives. Just before serving, stir in 2 tablespoons fried, crumbled bacon. C

Chipotle: Add 1/2 to 1 1/2 teaspoons pureed chipotle in adobo sauce. C & E

Chutney: Add 1 tablespoon mango chutney. C

Club: Add 1 tablespoon each diced avocado and seeded, diced tomato. Just before serving, stir in 2 tablespoons fried, crumbled bacon. C & E

Curry: Add 1 teaspoon curry powder or garam masala, 1 pinch ground ginger and honey to taste. C

Herb: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons minced fresh herbs, such as chervil, cilantro, dill, mint, parsley, tarragon or a combination. T, C & E

Horseradish: Add prepared horseradish to taste. T & C

The James Beard: Add 1/4 cup each minced celery and halved grapes; garnish with hard-cooked eggs, capers and chopped black olives.

Lemon: Add 1/2 teaspoon minced lemon zest and 1 tablespoon minced chives or green onions. T & C

The Martha: Add 1 tablespoon each minced celery, minced tarragon and pecans.

Nut: Add 2 tablespoons chopped almonds, macadamias, pecans or walnuts. T & C

Pickle: Add 1 tablespoon pickle relish or minced dill pickle. T & E

Sesame: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons each toasted sesame oil, minced cilantro and green onions. Just before serving, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds.

Southwestern: Substitute lime juice for the lemon juice and add 1 tablespoon minced green onions or red onion, 1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest, 1/8 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper, dash cumin and, if desired, dash hot red-pepper sauce.

Tropical: Add honey to taste, 2 tablespoons diced mango or papaya, 1 tablespoon each minced red onions and mint. C

Vegetable: Add 2 tablespoons minced bell peppers, cucumbers, radishes, red onion. T, C & E

Waldorf: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons each diced celery, green apple, walnuts and, if desired, raisins.

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