ISO Kid friendly appetizers

[sugaree]

We're having friends for the weekend including 3 kids (8,12 and 14.) I will be serving pita chips with Barefoot Contessa's Roasted Eggplant Spread for the adults but don't know if the kids will eat that. Any thoughts on other (easy, non meat) things I can put out for them? Thanks.

[Kathy B]

Veggie tray with dip. Fruit kabobs are fun and there are lots of fruit dips on the BB if you do a search. Pretzels or tortilla chips with cheese sauce or maybe a bean dip. Trail mix. Personal pizzas (Cheese or veggie).Hope that helps you get started!

[Kathy B]

Here's one dip that has gotten great reviews. It is in my "to try" pile....



Toffee Dip With Apples

Recipe By :Cooking Light Magazine. Jul/Aug 1999. Page: 142.
Serving Size : 32 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Desserts

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 block 1/3-less fat cream cheese -- softened
3/4 cup toffee bits (such as Skor) (about 4
ounces)
1 cup pineapple juice
6 Red Delicious apples, each cored and cut
into 8 wedges
6 Granny Smith apples, each cored and cut
into 8 wedges

Directions.
"We love taking this dip to the lake in the summertime so everybody can have something to munch on between meals. But be sure to make it up ahead of time. That way the toffee bits have time to soften." --Sue Martin, Birmingham, Ala.

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl; beat at medium speed of a mixer until smooth. Add toffee bits, and mix well. Cover and chill.

2. Combine juice and apples in a bowl; toss well. Drain apples; serve with dip. Yield: 2 cups (serving size: 1 tablespoon dip and 3 apple wedges).

[blazedog]

Pigs in a blanket - They've become quite chic as well at cocktail parties. At my friend's catered affair they were the first thing to go:D

[sneezles]

When I've done open houses the kids seem to gravitate to the fruit and cheese. I usually have read and green grapes and jack & cheddar in squares.

[krhm]

I read a great tip for doing fruit kabobs for kids...use straws instead of the regular skewers. If you're doing soft fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, etc, the straw goes through easily, and there's no sharp point for the kids to get hurt with.

[AvrilH]

I popped in specifically to say that the apples with toffee dip is a big hit every time I bring it out for kids. Thank Kathy for posting the recipe for me.:)

A good dip for strawberries and bananas is light strawberry yoghurt and light cool whip blended together.

[southjerseymom]

Here's an easy fruit dip recipe that's always a winner when my 9yr old has a party or friends over: combine 1 container of softened cool whip with 1 8 oz yogurt(any fruit flavored). Serve with sliced granny smith apples. Bananas and pretzels are also good with this dip. It's always a hit at my house. I've made it for classroom parties and the kids devour it. Adults like it too.

[AndreaU]

These are very kid-friendly (adults love them, too) and easy to make. They're not gourmet and they use prepared ingredients, but I have yet to have any leftovers when I bring them!

Veggie Bars

2 cans reduced-fat crescent rolls
2 8-ounce pkg. fat-free cream cheese (or Neufchatel)
1/4 cup fat-free (or light) mayonnaise
1 1-ounce pkg. ranch dressing mix
Assorted Veggies: shredded carrots, chopped peppers of various colors, broccoli florets, sliced mushrooms, sliced olives, etc.
Low-fat shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese

Spread crescent dough to fill bottom of 11x15" pan, sealing seams together to make bottom crust. Bake according to package directions. Let cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine cream cheese, mayo & ranch dressing mix. Set aside. Spread over cooled crust.

Top with assorted veggies. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight. Top with shredded cheese. Cut into squares and serve.

**I usually find this works o.k. with just one package of cream cheese and I even omit the mayo- it just makes it a bit creamier.**

[Vicanddi]

Cheese, crackers, and fruit...that's what my nieces and nephews devour when they come over!

[little_bopeep]

Toasted ravioli with pizza sauce is a good kid finger food.

[rinsav]

Just wanted to say that the Veggie Bars and Toffee Apple Dip are both awesome and get rave reviews every time I serve them!

[gobluem82]

Last weekend I put out pita chips with hummus for the adults and veggies and dip for the kids and was very surprised that the kids absolutely WOLFED down the pita chips and hummus!! So maybe you could just make extra chips and add a second dip for the kids.