Finger Foods - Make Them Extra Saucy

Why are finger foods so appealing? Is it because we all secretly like to eat with our hands, or does it have more to do with those tangy, flavored dipping sauces like barbecue, honey mustard or homemade chipotle mayo? I like finger foods because they come in bite-sized pieces. I can have a taste of everything without feeling stuffed and even have seconds of the things I enjoyed most.

So what's the ultimate finger food? I'd have to say chicken fingers. In my career as a professional cook, I have made hundreds -- no, thousands -- of juicy, homemade chicken fingers.

Some are coated with Parmesan bread crumbs or crushed golden butter crackers, others dipped first in thick buttermilk and Tabasco, then coated in crunchy, crushed cereals. They are perfect for kids and even better for entertaining, as I found out when my neighbors devoured them during our monthly movie get-together.

Buttermilk chicken fingers always disappear first, but I also love to convince my veggie-hating friends to dip nutrient-rich vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower into the sauce of their choice. That's why I've collected a private stash of recipes that are healthier, but just as tasty.

Soon enough, we'll be dusting off our grills and getting ready for some serious spring and summer parties. Having drinks outdoors, getting out more with friends and making easy, mess-free recipes is what summer is all about. Making your own dipping sauces is not only quick and easy -- it's also a much healthier way to entertain. Just whip them up them ahead of time in a food processor or mini-chopper.

For your next party, consider these dipping sauces and mix and match them with your favorite meats, vegetables, or seafood grilled on skewers. Don't have a grill? Serve piles of fresh raw vegetables, precooked shrimp cocktail or flavorful precooked chicken sausage that can be simply warmed in the oven, sliced and served with toothpicks.