School's out - snacks are in

School is out -- or soon will be. Every summer, we have to rearrange the kitchen to accommodate hungry hordes of teenagers marching through.

With food prices rising, we were brainstorming ways to rein in the cost of healthful snacks and immediately thought of today's Black Bean Hummus from our cookbook "Desperation Entertaining."

While this is indeed a nice appetizer spread to keep on hand for adult guests, the shot of peanut butter makes it a favorite for kids of any age (be sure to let them know there is peanut butter in it, should anyone have allergies). You just have to change the name to something simple, like "A Fun Dip." We like to encourage veggies for dipping, but it's pretty darn good with tortilla chips, bagel chips or pita triangles. Apple slices work, too.

The bonus for busy parents is that the ingredients are economical, easy to keep on hand and making the dip is fast -- just 12 minutes. The recipe is so easy that teens can fix it themselves. A Fun Dip makes the summer march much more manageable.

Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross are co-authors of "Cheap.Fast.Good!" (Workman, 2006). Reach them at www.desperationdinners.com.