Come summertime, if you have kids, you are sure to find yourself in a house full of young ones with surprisingly large appetites, and absolutely no patience. Playdates, sleepovers, birthday parties: these occasions will sometimes leave you at a loss for time to prepare the main course. And if you serve deviled eggs and tapenade, you are inviting trouble and an untouched platter. Those sophisticated hors d’oeuvres are for only adults to appreciate. Kids find appetizers that are colourful and sweet more appealing.
Chocolate covered strawberries
The most luscious and vibrant of all berries, dipped into the most luxurious of any concoction. Strawberries dipped in chocolate are bound to be a hit with the children, given their love for both the fruit, and the flavour. On the healthier side, the strawberries, rich in vitamins and antioxidants, carry little calories, and the chocolate, being a natural anti-depressant, makes the children even more joyful.
To make this fruit appetizer, drive in toothpicks into the strawberry and dip them deep into thick, smooth, melted chocolate. Once the fruit is satisfactorily covered in the brown liquid, turn the toothpick upside-down, and wedge it into a slab of thermocol. Once cooled, pile up the strawberries, tastefully, on a platter, and smoothly pour a little bit of white chocolate, such that all the strawberries receive a smattering of it. The kids will down them with relish.
Cupped grapefruit appetizer
Neatly scoop out the juicy pulp of the grapefruit, such that its skin is unharmed, and remains in a cup-like form. Depending on the number of attendants, juice the grapefruits. You will require the juice of 4 grapefruits for 4-5 people. Now, pour half of the juice into a pan and boil it. Fold in three tablespoons of gelatine into the boiling liquid, and stir till it dissolves completely. Follow this up with the rest of the juice. Pour this solution into the fruit-skin cups, and refrigerate. Before serving, cut the each cup into 2 equal sections, and serve the appetizer chilled.
Grapefruits are usually used by weight-watchers to curb their appetite. These nutritional powerhouses are also loaded with vitamin-C, and act as liver detoxifiers. This chilled grapefruit appetizer is also a wonderful treat during harsh summers.
Blueberry spread on graham crackers
Take three cup of fresh blueberries, with equal amount of butter, and half the amount of honey. Heat the blueberries with about three tablespoons of honey, and stir until the mixture is thickened and is reduced to half its original level. Fold in the remaining honey, and add the butter, and stir vigorously. Spread it out on graham crackers, and serve it on an appetizer tray.
Blueberries have the highest amount of antioxidant found in any fruit, and do a world of good for your child’s brain development and vision. Moreover, they aid digestion, and make the eater’s mood lighter. Perfect appetizer.
Spicy nuts with cranberries
Technically, nuts are fruits. They are filled with protein, and kids love popping these crunchable grubs into their mouths. For an easy variety of this appetizer, roast almonds, raisins, and cranberries in a little bit of olive oil, with sea salt and cayenne pepper added to taste. These tangy treats will be loved by the kids.
Fruit kebabs
Kids love eating anything off kebab sticks. Be smart and pair the right fruits along with each other, and these kebabs will be a hit at your child’s party. Take a few bamboo sewers and pile them on with these fruits, alternating them in this order- watermelon, pear, strawberry, and grape. Slice the fruits and cut them into shape. You could make stars, small circles, scooped-out balls, flowers, and hearts. Arrange them on the tray, and watch the young ones dig into this delicious appetizer.
It is a great way to get the kids to eat fruit, while keep them excited for the main course. Don’t forget to remove the seeds from the watermelon and the pear, before you use them for the kebab.
Fruit and vanilla dip
This one is a classic. Using the vanilla yogurt as a dip, serve the kids a variety of fruits such as bananas, pineapples, apples, and strawberries. Use your imagination to select the fruits that you think will go best with this dip.
To make the vanilla yogurt dip, you will require two cups of plain, thick yogurt, half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and honey to taste. Stir them well, and beat them so as to achieve a smooth texture. However, make sure that the mixture does not become runny and thin. Sugar the fruits if you like.
Tangy fig slices
If you are not one to play by the rules, then here is a playful risk that the kids will love and remember you for. Pick out the darkest figs for an excellent, sweet appetizer. Slice them and line them on a baking tray, which is then placed in the broiler for a couple of minutes. When you take them out, the fruits must be slightly browned, and have a faintly crispy outer.
Top off the slices of fig with blue cheese, for a dash of tanginess, and honey, reminiscent of the classic fig and honey combination. Prepared in a jiffy, serve them warm to the kids to fork in, and eat up.
Mango mojito
Take two raw mangoes, and boil them. After, let it cool. Once cooled, take out the pulp and add a dash of sea-salt, cumin powder, and just a sprinkling of red-chilli powder to the pulp. Mix well till the texture is smooth, and add the blend to glasses of sweetened soda.
This is a refreshing drink, with just the right amount of buzzy spiciness that your kids are sure to love. Yum!
Avocado smoothie
You are probably wondering if I am joking. Your kids hate the sight of avocado, and there is no way this smoothie is going to be a good choice for an appetizer. But trust me on this one, it will pleasantly surprise you. Halve and pit 3-4 avocadoes as required, and heap it into a blender along with just as many cups of milk, 1 ½ cups of yogurt, half a cup of honey, and a small tray of ice cubes. Pour the mixture into tall glasses, spread powdered sugar onto the rim.
Avocadoes are great for the heart, and protects the body from heat strokes. As a starter, the avocadoes help good digestion, and promote nutrient absorption. This thick drink is just what your kids need to relish, and get their party started.
