Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If serving the optional ranch dip, have the linked recipe fully prepared and chilled before beginning. Its preparation and minimum one-hour chill are separate from this snack assembly.
- Wash and peel the carrots, then cut them into narrow sticks. Wash and chop the celery and measure the prepared pieces. Keep extra carrot sticks for the plate.
- Cut the cheese into rectangles about 1 1/2 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Cut several parallel slits into one end of each piece to form bristles, leaving a solid band at the opposite end.
- Make a small opening in the solid end of each cheese piece with the tip of a small knife. Do this before inserting the handle so the broom head stays together.
- Gently insert a narrow carrot stick into each opening. If a cheese piece begins to split, stop and adjust the opening or choose a narrower carrot stick.
- Arrange the brooms on a serving plate with the measured chopped celery and remaining carrot pieces. Serve promptly, with the prepared dip in a separate bowl if using. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
Notes
Full GAPS: Use after natural organic cheese, raw carrots and raw celery have been introduced and tolerated. This complete snack is not an Introduction Diet recipe. Choose natural cheese without preservatives or non-GAPS additives.
Cheese: The source permits cheddar or Swiss at the same measured amount. Choose a block that slices cleanly enough to keep an uncut band above the bristles.
Yield: This recipe makes four snack servings of cheese brooms and vegetables. The number of individual brooms depends on the dimensions of your cheese block and cuts.
Vegetables: Carrot sticks form the handles. Serve the measured chopped celery and extra carrot pieces alongside.
Optional ranch: Make and chill the linked dip ahead, including its minimum one-hour rest. Serve it separately. It contains egg and dairy; use it only after its ingredients are tolerated. It is not needed to attach the handles.
Storage: Keep cheese, cut vegetables and dip covered in the refrigerator until needed. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and store dip separately, following its shorter remaining yogurt or mayonnaise storage time.