This is the time of the year that I always look forward to having barbecues, picnics or just a plain ole backyard gathering with friends, family and neighbors.

One of my favorite foods to bring to any gathering is a chip and dip platter. Everybody from the tiniest two year old to the hunkiest he-man loves dips and spreads. There's just something about dunking chips, crackers and veggies into a bowl of saucy surprising flavors that seems to satisfy everyones need to nibble. Sometimes in the evening I will fix a veggie dip for my husband and myself to enjoy while we're watching TV.

If you have children or grandkids you know how they love dips. Give them a food they can dab into a sauce or a dip and they're content. They're fun for adults too, especially with a variety of dipping sauces. Dips can be nutritious and also taste good without containing a lot of calories.

What I like to display my chips and dips in, is the Sterilite Food Storage Chip and Dip Server that I purchased last year at our Target store for $5.99. I've used it many times for Holidays and family gatherings. I plan on using it this 4th of July at my son's house for our yearly 4th of July picnic.


Features of the Sterilite Chip and Dip Server.

Size----It's a hard plastic serving container that's 14 inches in diameter and 6 inches high.

It has 4 compartments. Each compartment is deep and is 9 inches wide and will hold quite a bit of food or snacks.

In the middle of the platter there is a round compartment that holds a removable round plastic cup that will hold 2½ cups of a dip or sauce. The cup also has a nice tight snap on lid.

If you don't plan on using the dipping cup, you can remove it and you'll have five compartments to store foods like veggies, cheeses, fruits and crackers. This middle compartment is 6 inches round and is a good 2 inches deep.

The top cover for the serving platter is plastic and fits securely over the top of the serving platter. The bottom of the serving platter has 2 handles that locks very easily and securely into a ridge that's around the bottom of the cover.

On the top of the cover there is a 7 inch carry handle which makes it very easy to transport the serving platter to a picnic, barbecue or what other gathering you're going to. With the locking cover you won't ever have to worry about any spillage of any food while transporting the Sterilite Chip And Dip Server.

It's also made in the good ole USA.


Cleaning:

The Sterilite Chip and Dip Server washes up very nice with warm soapy water, or it can be washed in a dishwasher on the top rack only.

The removable 2½ cup dipping bowl and lid can be used in a Microwave to heat up any dipping sauces as long as the lid is set loosely on the cup. The dipping bowl is also freezer safe.

When it comes to choosing veggies for dipping, here are a few that I do use.

Bell Pepper sticks.

Celery sticks.

Baby carrots that come already peeled from the produce section in my market.

Yellow Squash and Zucchini, which I slice into circles.

Cucumbers can be sliced into circles also.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets can be a little expensive if purchased by the pound, rather then a whole head, but remember you're not paying for all of that stalk that you just throw away.

Cherry Tomatoes. I like the variety called grape tomatoes for their smaller one-bite size advantage.


A few other ways to use the Sterilite Dip and Chip Server.

The server is great for displaying all of my Christmas homemade cookies, sliced banana or carrot breads, and fruit cake. Being the compartments are deep and wide, I was surprised at how much of these foods they will hold.

It will hold a great variety of Holiday Candies, homemade fudge and peanut brittle. During the Christmas Season I took a handful of candy canes and placed them in the dipping cup and placed the server on my coffee table for everyone to enjoy.

I have made several kinds of cheese dips, salsa, spreads and several kinds of sauces for dipping. Here are a few dippers that I've used for dipping.

Pretzels
Pita triangles
Potato chips
Corn chips
Tortilla chips
Sour dough, rye, and pumpernickel cocktail bread slices
Plain and wheat crackers
Cocktail hotdogs
Small meat balls
Chicken fingers
Chicken wings


The Sterilite server is nice for holding all kinds of fresh fruit. Fresh fruit is always nice to serve and is very refreshing to have to munch on, on a hot day.

Watermelon balls
Melon Balls
Strawberries
Grapes
Kiwi slices
Pineapple chunks

When I serve the fruit platter I remove the dipping cup from the middle of the server and placed 2 of my large shot glasses in the compartment to hold several toothpicks so my guests are able to remove any of the fresh fruit from the serving platter.

A cheese platter is great to serve at a gathering with the Sterilite Server. It can hold a variety of cheeses that are cut into chunks, along with pepperoni slices and several kinds of crackers. Being the dipping cup sets in the middle of the server and is removable, you can remove it and this will allow you to have an extra compartment for storing more foods and snacks.

Dips and spreads are easy and fast to make. They can be made long before the guests arrive and sometimes you just need a little extra something for your guests to nibble on before the main meal. A little something before dinner never fails to please.

The easy care plastic Sterilite Chip and Dip Server lets me create a table equally inviting to all of my family members and friends. It has a strength and style for any table setting, thats an instant hit any time, from everyday dining to festive entertaining whether it's being used indoors or outdoors.

I like the idea of being able to take the Sterilite Chip and Dip Server from my home to my car and then to a party. The sturdy carry handle on the locked cover makes this easy for me to safely transport the server, without worrying about any spillage in my car.

It's a very inexpensive Dip and Chip server, and it can be used in many ways to display your veggies, cheeses, fruits and dips. I only paid $5.99 for it, but when I was in our CVS drugstore the other day I saw it for only $3.99. I decided then to buy 2 more for my daughter and my daughter in-law for Christmas presents this year. You really can't beat that price.

The Sterilite Food Storage Chip And Dip Server would make a nice practical gift for anyone, because it can be used all year around for any special gatherings, Holidays or parties.


Thanks for reading and Happy Munching!!

~~Naomi~~























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