Today is the last day of school for my kids! We’ve already made our summer bucket list, and talked about what I expect of them over the summer.  When they were younger, I used to have them work on summer-bridge workbooks.  Nothing too intense, just maybe a page a day.  But now they are older, and those workbooks I was purchasing, aren’t really designed for older kids.  So, this summer, my kids are reading books and writing book reports!  I printed off a few grade level recommended reading lists and we are planning to go to the library today.  If they read a book, then write a report about it (so I know they read it) every two weeks (5 books total), I’m going to take them to our local amusement park at the end of summer.  They have to do it on their own however, I won’t be nagging them to accomplish it. And I am sticking to my promises- if they do it, great! If they don’t- they aren’t coming with the kids that do. : ) Do you have any plans or strategies to keep those brains working this summer?

One thing that happens every summer of course is EATING! Lot’s of eating from my kids being home all day, and all the friends and neighbors walking through the house.  My food bill always jumps once they are home.  Our first meal of summer is chicken fingers with dipping sauce!   This Chicken Fingers with Dipping Sauce Recipe is easy to make, and everyone loves them!

We made three different sauces, because what kid doesn’t love choices, right??  We made a citrus spice, ranch of course, and a honey mustard dipping sauce. The Ranch was a crowd favorite, but all of them got eaten.

3/4 cup Orange juice 1/4 cup Lemon Juice 2 garlic cloves 3/4 tsp dried mustard salt and pepper 1/4 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp corn starch zest of 1 orange Mix all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.  Boil until begins to thicken, just a few minutes.

1 cup Light Sour Cream 1 tsp parsley,dried 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1/4 tsp dill weed salt and pepper to taste Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.    Chill until ready to eat.

1 Cup Light Sour Cream 2 TBL Dijon Mustard 2 TBL Honey Mix all ingredients together and chill until ready to eat.

We have a few ways that we bake breaded chicken fingers, (like our toddler friendly shaped nuggets) but this one is my favorite.  We used

• 1 bowl of plain greek yogurt
• 1 bowl of panko with seasonings.

We dipped 1 lb of chicken tenders into the yogurt, and then dipped into the panko.  Arranged in an oven safe baking dish, and then drizzled a touch of olive oil over the chicken. This will make it crispier, just like fried chicken!

For a balanced meal, serve with fruit and veggies!  Watermelon is perfect for summer dinners, but we also love a green salad!

Want more chicken strip dips? Link up your favorite dip recipes in the comments!