To kids, teeny tiny appetizers are just the right size. They can be assembled in the palms of their hands and nibbled in one bite (sans forks!).
And when dressed up with toothpicks and doilies, finger foods become the stars of summer cookouts and parties.
No wonder our kid testers couldn't wait to serve and devour their Cherry Tomato and Cucumber Bites, Peanut-Ginger Sauce, Hummus Pita Triangles, and Rancher's Delight.
PARTY FOODS
At your next neighborhood cookout or birthday bash, put your young chef in charge of preparing the appetizers. As the caterer, he or she can whip up any of the finger foods in this Cooking Class. The event will give you the opportunity to teach your kids some entertaining basics, like how to present food creatively.
THE ART OF PRESENTING FOOD
As any chef knows, food should not only taste good, but look good, too. Here's how young chefs can dress up their finger foods: Garnish dips with sprigs of fresh herbs, such as parsley and dill. Serve finger foods on doily-lined platters (fancy disposable ones are available at party stores for around $2). Spear mini foods with toothpicks. Arrange crudités in colorful patterns (a mix of colors is most pleasing visually). Create arrangements with motion, such as spirals or swirls.
