Categories: Dips 
      Yield: 6 servings 
  
      1    Stick (1/2 cup) butter or           1 c  Cottage cheese 
           -margarine, softened            
  
  With carrots, celery, green pepper strips, cucumber slices, cherry 
  tomatoes, cauliflower pieces or crackers, try any of the following: 
   
  CHEESE SPREAD 
   
  garlic powder 
   
  Blend shortening with cottage cheese. A blender or baby food grinder will 
  give you a smoother consistency than whipping with a fork. Add garlic 
  powder to taste. Refrigerate in a covered container. 
   
  DIP IT AGAIN 
   
  1 (8 oz) container of plain yogurt 1 cup sour cream 1 pkg onion soup mix 
   
  Combine and chill before serving. 
   
  BETTER-WITH-BUTTERMILK DIP 
   
  1 cup buttermilk 2 cups mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream or yogurt 1 envelope 
  Ranch style dressing mix 
   
  Stir together and chill. For use as salad dressing, substitute a second cup 
  of buttermilk for the sour cream or yogurt. 
   
  Hint: Use cucumber "coins" instead of crackers. 
   
  OTHER QUICK DIPPIES that make up in small quantities: 
   
  * Blend 1/3 to 1/2 of a mashed banana with 2 or 3 tsps of mayonnaise. 
   
  * Whipe together 1 tsp of smooth peanut butter with 1 tsp of mayonnaise. If 
  still too thick, add a few drops of milk. 
   
  * Mix 1/2 tsp of lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of honey or sugar to 1 or 2 tsp of 
  mayonnaise. 
   
  CUTTING UP WITH KIDS 
   
  Have your children help you cut up green onions, parsley, lettuce, cheese 
  slices, fruit, etc., using a scissors instead of a knife. Using a scissors 
  helps coordination (YES!) and keeps them busy for a _long_ time! 
   
  CHERRY BALLS 
   
  Stuff whole (or half) cherry tomatoes with cream cheese, a cheese spread, 
  egg salad or tuna salad. 
   
  Actually thinking of snacks as hors d'oeuvres - rather than desserts - will 
  open up a whole new way of looking at this category.