Little Dippers

I LOVE Wondertime magazine. Best parent magazine out there. Our dinner tonight was inspired by an article in the new issue. The idea is to serve appetizers (or dips) as your main course! Perfect for a night like tonight, when daddy is working late.

We made white bean dip, and guacamole (they also listed an enchilada dip, which would add meat to the meal). We used whole wheat chips, oat bran pretzels and carrot sticks as our "dippers". Protein, fiber, vegetables....check, check, check! So while they LOVED this dinner, and felt like they were getting away with something sneaky, I loved it too! Easy, and wholesome! I've never seen them eat so many carrot sticks!

White Bean Dip
2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
pinch thyme
3 T. olive oil
2 T. lemon juice
1 large clove garlic, pressed (we used 2!)

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until very smooth, adding a tablespoon or two of hot water if the beans seem disinclined to become creamy.

The magazine printed a "silken guacamole" made with silken tofu, but we just used our regular guacamole recipe. Other ideas for dippers include: pita chips, snow peas, bell peppers, celery sticks, lightly steamed broccoli, sugar snap peas and green beans!

Finally, dessert...of course...chocolate fondue! (the easy microwave kind...no need to knock yourself out!) Yummy Dinner! Although Dave is probably not too sad to have missed this one. I am not sure he believes "dips" constitute a meal!