Archive for Kids Can Cook!

Kid-Style Summer Salads

May 21, 2009 · Filed under Kids Can Cook!, Salads, Vegetarian Dishes · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Enjoy some salads kids may like and can help you make, compliments of Clayton College of Natural Health

Kid–Style Summer Salads
Trying to feed children healthy meals can sometimes prove to be difficult. Here are some yummy salad recipes that even the kids may like. They may even want to help make it!
• Crunchy Carrot Salad
• Apple Mango Salad

Crunchy Carrot Salad
1 pound carrots, peeled
3/4 cup dry–roasted unsalted peanuts
3 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Grate the carrots on the coarse side of a box grater (a food processor extracts a lot of liquid and will make the carrots too soft for this salad). In a large bowl, gently toss together the carrots, peanuts, parsley, and mint.
In a small bowl thoroughly stir together the olive oil, lemon juice, sugar, and salt, then pour the dressing onto the salad and toss again until the carrots are evenly coated. Let the salad stand for 20 minutes before serving, or refrigerate it and serve within 2 days.
Source

Apple Mango Salad
1 mango, peeled, seeded and cubed
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored & diced
3/4 cup toasted cashews
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pinch salt

In a medium bowl, toss together mango, Granny Smith apple, cashews, balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.

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Food: It’s a Family Affair

April 1, 2009 · Filed under Kids Can Cook!, Nutritious Family Recipes · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

A study from Harvard University shows that kids who eat regularly with their family have healthier eating habits than those who don’t.

Enjoy these four tips brought to you by FoodFit.com for making food a family affair.

  • STEP 1: Let little hands pitch in making dinner. Younger helpers can tear lettuce or help stir. Older children can chop ingredients under mom or dad’s watchful eye. It may be messy or take longer, but the sense of accomplishment and the closeness that children feel makes it all worth it.
  • STEP 2: Make your meals seasonal. “My mother always began dinner with fruit — grapefruit in the fall and winter, cantaloupe in the spring and honeydew melon in the summer,” explains Ellen Haas. ” As a girl, I knew fall had arrived when grapefruit appeared on the table again.” Fruits and vegetables that are in season are cheaper and better tasting.
  • STEP 3: Offer fruits and vegetables as fast food. Have good-for-you nibbles like washed carrots, celery sticks or peas ready to go in the refrigerator. Keep a bowl of washed fruit on the table to get everyone in the family through those hungry moments just before dinner is ready.
  • STEP 4: Go on family outings to the local farmer’s market. They are fantastic places for kids to see and learn about the different foods they eat. Use fresh as it gets — a guide to shopping at farmer’s markets to get started. Have everyone in the family pick their favorite tomatoes, peaches or greens.

    • read the full article here

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    Kids Cook: Taco Dinner Night

    April 1, 2009 · Filed under Kids Can Cook! · Tagged , , , , , , ,

    Cooking with your children can be fun as well as lay a good foundation for healthy habits. Enjoy creating a Taco Dinner with your kids using these recipes from Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger featured on FoodFit.com. 

    Nutritional Information
    per serving of meal
    Calories : 527
    Total fat : 17g
    Saturated fat : 3g
    Protein : 31g
    Sodium : 650mg
    Cholesterol : 55mg

    Carne Asada Tacos
    Makes 8 tacos (2 per person)

    1 pound skirt steak
    salt and freshly ground pepper
    olive oil
    1 lime
    8 corn tortillas

    Instructions

    1. Kidds sprinkle the steak all over with salt and pepper.
    2. Place a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over high heat and lightly coat with oil. Sear the steak about 2 minutes per side and place on cutting board to rest for about 5 minutes.
    3. Kids can cut the limes in half, pierce the juice side with a fork and twist to release the juice all over cooked meat.
    4. Cut steak into thin slices across the grain and then let  cut each slice into bite-sized pieces for bringing to the table.
    5. Kids can warm the tortillas by dipping first in water and then placing in a dry pan over low heat. Use tongs to lift out and wrap in a towel to keep warm.
    6. Everyone can assemble the tacos at the table with salsa fresca and guacamole. It’s easy to replace the steak with chicken or fish.

    Salsa Fresca
    Makes 2 cups

    4 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
    1/4 red onion, minced
    2 jalapenos, seeds optional, diced
    1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped
    1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
    salt and freshly ground pepper

    Instructions

    1. Salsa should be a Team Effort. The only item that needs adult attention is the jalapeno and its seeds. For more heat, keep the seeds and chop.
    2. Younger kids can chop the cilantro while mom dices the tomato, onion and peppers. Be sure to have the kids put everything in the bowl and handle the mixing.

    Guacamole
    Makes 3 cups

    2 ripe Haas avocados
    ½ bunch fresh cilantro, leaves chopped
    1/4 medium red onion, diced
    2 jalapenos, stemmed, seeded and finely diced (optional)
    1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
    salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Cut the avocados into halves and remove the seeds. Peel the fruit and place in a mixing bowl.
    • Have kids mash avocados with a potato masher or fork until chunky. (Good luck stopping them from mashing into a thin paste!) They can add the remaining ingredients (after grown-ups have chopped the jalapenos) and mix with a fork.

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