I am a big fan of appetizers and finger food.  I feel very strongly it is a great way to get kids to try new foods.  Kids, especially young ones, are by nature grazers.  Apps create an opportunity to get your kids to try new things in a non threatening manner.  Parties or small get togethers are an excellent place to get started.

Thus, we have the crudite plate.  It’s a fixture at every dinner at our house with more than just the family involved.  Since it’s Halloween we’re doing the creepy crudite plate.  Let’s get ‘er done…

Creepy Crudite

Toothpicks

1 green pepper, ribs cleaned out, top plus 3 slices cut off, reserve slices to use as legs.

carrots

celery

radishes

mini peppers

broccoli

cauliflower

cucumbers

olives

cherry tomatoes

All of the above should be cut into bite sized pieces and arranged artfully on a plate.

The key to a good crudite is the dip.  The veggies are a merely a vehicle to get the dip from the plate to your kids mouth, but in the meantime they do manage to get a carrot or two in there.  My favorite party dip ever is Barefoot Contessa’s Pan Fried Onion Dip.  It’s amazing.  But feel free to pick up a packet of ranch or onion dip at the store and mix it up with some Low-Fat sour cream or even greek yogurt.  Be sure to chill it in advance and get busy making your creepy pepper to store it in.

Take your hollowed out pepper and stand him in the middle of your platter.  Using a sharp knife cut 3 small holes in each side.  Cut each slice into 2 pieces and stick one side of each slice into the holes you just made.  Next slice one of your olives in half.  Using your toothpick stick the olives to the pepper to create eyes.  Do the same for the nose.  Fill your pepper with dip and have at it.  Eating veggies was never so fun or spooky!