Parents are on a perennial quest to get fresh fruits and vegetables into their children's diet, and one of the standbys that we grow up with is the celery stick spread with peanut butter. Then there's peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches, but that's for another day because I found a recipe that can introduce a shade of sophistication into the celery stick dip.
Before I go into it, I must mention that even though I bought the Kirkland Signature chocolate chips at Costco during the Holiday season, I had not used them until this past week. I do not usually make a lot of chocolate recipes during the Holidays because I prefer nuts and spices to the all-year-around chocolate that is always appropriate.
When could you not make brownies and have them go over? But anyway, last week I made a recipe of Chocolate Chip Cookies--the regular classic recipe--using the Kirkland chips, and I have to say that they are superb. You can't do any better than pick up one of their very large packages to supply yourself with chocolate chips for at least several months. And while you're at it, you could always make Double Chocolate Brownies by folding them into your brownie batter.
Now about the dip. I found this peanut-butter dip in Diabetic Snacks from the Better Care Kitchen. I got their three books a couple of years ago but their recipes are far from uninteresting. Since I am always watching my blood sugar I welcome any information that could help in that area, and honestly I cannot see why anyone who likes peanut butter would not like this dip.
If your children comment that it has an unusual taste, you can always try giving them an indulgent smile and explaining, "Honey, it's a dip," and see how far that gets you. But I think that if you put it in front of children watching the Super Bowl (or anyone else who is in the same general area this Sunday), you'll have a hit on your hands.
ASIAN PEANUT BUTTER DIP
Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 Tablespoons apple butter
2 Tablespoons milk
1 Tablespoon soy sauce (reduced salt if possible)
1-1/2 teaspoons lime juice
10 stalks celery, cut into fourths
Combine all the ingredients except the celery and stir until the mixture is smooth. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and keep refrigerated until you serve it with the celery.
This recipe is picking up on a classic Asian peanut sauce that is eaten with various dishes, especially in Southeast Asia. My plan would be to make a couple of recipes, cut up the celery, and store everything in the refrigerator so that you can provide immediate munchies when people start positioning themselves in front of the television set.
It is one thing when the focus is going to be on your cooking, as in a dinner around the table, but with Sunday's focus on the big game, you will find that everyone loves you if they don't have to give a second thought to food.
You ought to get some appreciation when you bring out your home-made chicken wings, and according to the media they are being bought up fast. So if you are thinking about doing the shopping tomorrow, don't forget the Apple Butter for this dip and lay in your supplies so that you can do your host/hostess duties Sunday.
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