That Green Sauce and Veggie Dip
Other moms give the best advice.
Like the other day while lamenting about the trials and tribulations of the snacking vs. meal times vs. vegetable eating, etc. etc., another mom shared with me her strategy.
“They get to pick out whatever little empty snack they want. And then if they are still hungry, I set out a veggie tray and dip. That way, while I’m cooking dinner they can’t whine to me about being hungry. And, if they are pigging out before a meal, at least its on vegetables. It may be the only vegetable I can convince them to eat all day. But it stops the argument. I can cook in relative peace.”
So I tried it. And it’s genius.
In a perfect world I would have a well-planned out snack, maybe this one, and it would give them the appropriate energy they need to sustain them until dinner time, when we would all sit down and indulge in a filling and balanced meal, including many many veggies.
Yeah, accept we don’t run that playbook in this house. So after whatever small snack of crackers or fruit or yogurt or whatever it is that peaks their curiosity, then the veggies come out. And some sort of dip. Ranch is a major fave in this house. And I can’t blame them. It’s so darn good and no greek yogurt replacement has been able to take it’s place. Hummus is another good one, bonus protein there.
But this next dip is my ultimate fave. It’s like guacamole and chimichurri had a baby. The avocado and the pistachios and the fresh herbs and the lime all blended up to give it that creamy and tangy flavor you love in a ranch without any of the guilt over what could possible be in that bottle that tastes too darn good. It’s green and delicious and is great on ANYTHING.
But I have to be straight with you. I haven’t convinced my kids yet. Hopefully yours aren’t corrupted by the ranch bottle.
At the very least, set out the ranch for them, and the green sauce for you.
I apologize. It’s another dip. But it’s a dip that is a sauce and a spread and a marinade. And it’s really darn good.
And maybe just maybe you’ll get your kids to eat a vegetable or two. If not, at least try that veggie tray trick. It worked in Breaking Bad and it worked in my house, so I have great hopes it will work for you.
Hey sis, try this...
That Green Sauce and Veggie Dip
Adapted a touch from Pinch of Yum
1 avocado
1 cup packed parsley and cilantro leaves (combined)
2 cloves garlic
juice of one lime (or two - get lots of limey goodness in there!)
½ cup water
½ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup pistachios (you can sub other nuts – pistachio remains my favorite)
INSTRUCTIONS
Pulse all ingredients - except pistachios - in a food processor until incorporated.
Add pistachios and pulse until mostly smooth (depends on what consistency you want).
If you like a little heat, add in some hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or a jalepeno with seeds removed. To keep it kid friendly (wimpy white kid friendly) I leave it out.
Serve as a dip, spread, or sauce -- or add additional water or oil to thin the sauce for use as a dressing or a marinade.
That Green Sauce and Veggie Dip
Adapted a touch from Pinch of Yum
1 avocado
1 cup packed parsley and cilantro leaves (combined)
2 cloves garlic
juice of one lime (or two - get lots of limey goodness in there!)
½ cup water
½ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup pistachios (you can sub other nuts – pistachio remains my favorite)
INSTRUCTIONS
Pulse all ingredients - except pistachios - in a food processor until incorporated.
Add pistachios and pulse until mostly smooth (depends on what consistency you want).
If you like a little heat, add in some hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or a jalepeno with seeds removed. To keep it kid friendly (wimpy white kid friendly) I leave it out.
Serve as a dip, spread, or sauce -- or add additional water or oil to thin the sauce for use as a dressing or a marinade.