Recipe: My 5 favourite dips for kids

If you kids love their veggies or hate them, I find dips the best way to get kids to eat and enjoy their meal. It works as a great snack or mini meal that can be whipped up in no time.

Here are my favourite dips that can be served with Carrots, cucumbers, Bell Peppers, bread sticks or Lavash

1. Spring Onion, Pepper and Garlic Dip:

Recipe:

1. Finely chop Spring Onions ( 2- 3 stems) & Bell peppers (a small slice of each colour).
2. Grate about 4 – 5 cloves of Garlic.
3. Take 1/2 a bowl of curd and whisk it until smooth.
4. Add the veggies and salt to taste.

2. Basil, Walnut & Curd Dip

1. Take about 10 – 15 leaves of Basil
2. 4 – 5 cloves of garlic
3. 1/4 spoon of Olive Oil
4. Salt to taste
5. 6 – 7 walnut halves
6. Blend all of it together in a blender. When its half done add 3 – 4 spoons of curd. Blend it once again till smooth

3. Beetroot Dip: Love the colour

1. 1 average size beetroot
2. 3 – 4 cloves of garlic
3. Small pinch of corriander leaves
4. 2 teaspoons cumin(jeera), ground
5. 2 teaspoons lemon juice
6. I cup yogurt ( try to strain of the water)
7. Blend all the ingredients together. Add salt to taste

4. Beetroot & Cream Cheese Dip:

1. 1 average size beetroot
2. Few Mint Leaves
3. 3 – 4 spoons of Cream Cheese ( Cream cheese is part of our healthy junk food ideas, see the list here)
4. Blend all together and add salt & pepper to taste

5. Roasted Tomato Pesto

1. 3 – 4 spoons of olive oil
2. 2 – 3 ripe tomatoes
3. 1/2 red capsicum, deseeded and cut into thick slices
4. 4 – 5 cloves of garlic
5. 10 cashews
6. Roast the tomatoes & bell peppers on a grill or in a baking tray in the oven. Preheat oven to 200°C or 180°C. Pour a little oil on an oven tray. Add the tomatoes, capsicum and the cloves of garlic. Toss to coat in oil. Roast in the oven for about 15 minutes or till the skin of the capsicum gets a slightly brownish coat. Once it cools blend all of it together with some cashews.
7. If you need it to be quick then just add some olive oil in a pan, saute the cloves of garlic and add finely chopped tomatoes. Add salt & pepper to taste. You can serve this with toast and top it up with cheese.

I am sure your kids will love these and you can start these as early as 9 months. My other favourites include Avocado dips, hummus and salsa but I am sure you know about those already. Share your favourite recipes with us in the comments below or email us at [email protected] .

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