Parents know that kids love to dip, whether it's chicken nuggets, fries, veggies, chips or pretty much anything else. And if you serve a dip as an appetizer, it might get challenging to get the kids to eat their meals. So why not serve the dips as the main dish? It's a great way to whip up a nutritious, unique dinner that kids will crave. Dinner becomes a party when you make appetizers the main course - plus, with a little creativity, it's a great way to sneak in some veggies. Picky kids might first like to stick with the basics - chicken tenders dipped in a little honey mustard, plus veggies on the side dipped in ranch, perhaps. But try branching out and having the little ones dip with hummus instead of ranch. You'll boost fiber and reduce fat. Try cutting the bread out of a round storebought loaf and filling it with spinach dip - the kids can take chunks of bread and scoop up the dip. Guacamole is another healthful dip that you can serve with baked chips or on a tortilla. Avocados are considered fruits, so a good-sized scoop counts as one of those five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables you should be getting each day.
Add chopped tomatoes and onions for more flavor and yet another serving! Salsas are chock-full of veggies - and sometimes fruit - as well. Get creative with varieties that include pineapple, mango and even peaches. During the summer is a perfect time to craft your own delicious salsas. Tomatoes are plentiful, and so are jalapenos; one advantage to making your own means you can adjust seasonings to please your family's palate. A simple quesadilla with cheddar cheese sandwiched between two tortillas and heated in the microwave can make a great dipper for those Mexican-themed dips. Cap off your dip dinner with even more dip - do a fondue! You can melt dark chocolate - which is high in antioxidants - and dip fruits and marshmallows. The kids will love this delicious deviation from the same old, same old dinner, and you'll love the easy prep!