Sweet Leigh Mama’s Super-Secret Veggielicious Faux-Ketchup

What is it with kids and dip? In my house, EVERYTHING gets dipped. Pretzels, carrots, scrambled eggs, potatoes, tomatoes… even sandwiches. The two top dip requests? Ketchup and Ranch dressing. Sound familiar? : )

One long and frustrating day a year or so ago it hit me: if dip is going to be a staple in my children’s diets, why don’t I use it as part of my “Stealth Health” mission? (Stealth Health defined: Actively seeking ways to counteract the way-too-often chicken nugget and French fry consumption in an effort to be the next “Mama of the Year”) Lucky for 99.9% of us mamas, we didn’t pop out mini food connoisseurs. When it comes to ketchup, as long as it’s red, tomatoey and squirts out of a ketchup-looking bottle, our kids are happy. Same with ranch dressing. And that’s how Sweet Leigh Mama’s Super Secret Veggielicious Faux-Ketchup was born. Here is the recipe – share it, Pin it, love it, live it! And feel good knowing that at least those French fries are being dipped in the most veggielicious dip possible : ) And Check back soon for another Stealth Health recipe: Sweet Leigh Mama’s Super-Secret Protein-Fabulous Faux-Ranch

Sweet Leigh Mama’s Super-Secret Veggielicious Faux-Ketchup

Note: Because this faux-ketchup contains no extra preservatives, you may not get through the bottle before it needs to be replaced. I remake the faux-ketchup every two weeks, discarding the leftovers from the previous batch. We eat a lot of ketchup, so we do come close to finishing a batch : )

 

• 1 can (15 oz) of sliced beets, drained (sub fresh beets if you are a super mama). Keep the beet juice to add later on.
• 1 can (15 oz) of diced tomatoes (just the plain, no salt added, no flavoring kind – and definitely not Rotel unless you’re trying to burn your kids tongue off)
• 1 can (15 oz) of sliced carrots, drained (sub fresh carrots if you are a super mama)
• A splash of apple cider vinegar
• Onion powder, salt & pepper to taste
• A blender

 

Put all ingredients into blender and puree until it is 100% smooth. No lumps or bumps. Add the beet juice as needed to thin out your faux-ketchup and make it as close to the consistency of real ketchup as possible. Sprinkle onion powder, salt & pepper to taste. Carefully transfer faux-ketchup into the ketchup container (I use a funnel with a large opening).