Summer is here, and that means that boatloads of fresh local veggies are on their way as well! It’s so easy to eat ‘clean’ during these warm summer months when gardens are overflowing with goodness, and there’s nothing more simple and perfect than a platter full of fresh cut veggies for your crew (no matter how big or small) to snack on! Of course, what is a plate of veggies without some dip, right?
Summer is here, and that means that boatloads of fresh local veggies are on their way as well! It’s so easy to eat ‘clean’ during these warm summer months when gardens are overflowing with goodness, and there’s nothing more simple and perfect than a platter full of fresh cut veggies for your crew (no matter how big or small) to snack on! Of course, what is a plate of veggies without some dip, right?I raided the produce section of Nature’s Fare Markets to create two super simple, healthy, and flavour-packed dips to jazz up those veggies that your crowd will love! Veggie platters are an awesome way for everyone to get more veggies into their diet and it’s such a fun way to get the kids to try new vegetables! Here are some tips for putting together a beautiful, effortless platter for those endless summer days:
- Choose as many different colours as you can when shopping for your veggies! Nature’s Fare Markets has so many beautiful local organic veggies to choose from, I was like a kid in a candy store! (OK, bad analogy LOL!)
- Get your kids to help choose a new veggie that they haven’t tried before, for the platter—there’s a much better chance that they will eat it if they picked it out!
- Cut the veggies into bite sized pieces—they’re easier to eat of course and it reduces the chances of double dipping.
- When putting the platter together, layer the colours instead of grouping the same coloured veggies together. It just makes it prettier. And it doesn’t have to be perfect; you can even serve it on a baking sheet, giant food-safe board, or any platter and pile the veggies on—sometimes the more rustic the better!
- Cut up the veggies ahead of time and store them in a re-sealable plastic container to make last minute prep a breeze. It’s the healthiest fast food you’ll get!
- Think outside the box! Add in some of your favourite crackers, olives, tapenade, roasted veggies, crostini… have fun!
Check out my dip recipes:
Tori is a Registered Dietitian and self-proclaimed foodie. Her nutrition philosophy embraces moderation and quality without deprivation. She started up Fraîche Nutrition on a whim in August 2014, inspired to help share her love of food and educate others on simple healthy eating at the same time. Tori believes that food and nutrition has become overly complicated, and hopes to help others live healthier lives one wholesome recipe at a time.
