Food for Kids!
This month, we're tackling the issue of how you get kids to eat the foods that they are not so keen on, particularly when they're at school, where nutrition is key. It's been well publicised recently, but I happen to think this girl has a point. http://neverseconds.blogspot.co.uk
As a parent, I want to make sure that my kids eat healthily, but at the same time, I want them to enjoy their food, and appreciate good food, and new ingredients. So I use few techniques that work, and could be used in schools, colleges and restaurants to good effect. Here's my top 5.
1. Marketing - Sometimes the truth hurts, so it's better to dress it up a little. When I want to get my kids to eat something controversial, I dress it up a bit. Sprouts become 'baby cabbages' which sound much more appetizing.
2. Make it look and taste nice - Colour is vital here, bright, fresh looking food is essential. Peppers, tomatoes, and carrots are great for adding vibrancy to a dish. If you're hot holding, then make sure it's turned / stirred from time to time so that it stays looking it's best. No-one wants to eat food that looks bad.
3. Make it fun to eat - Finger food is FUN (fact). Use skin on wedges instead of fries - These can be baked, and so are a healthy alternative too. Kids love 'mini food'. Instead of making one big portion, split it down and give them 2 or three ' mini meals'
4. Wrap it up! - Tortilla wraps are worthy of so much more - Take a bolognaise sauce filled with plenty of veg make a tortilla parcel, top it with cheese, and bake, and baked in the oven is a great alternative for this dish. A wrap can make any food portable, finger food and therefore fun.
5. Less is More! - One of the most common mistakes is overcooking our kids food. Veg should be crunchy, fish should be juicy, and meat should be succulent, just the way we like it.
1. Marketing - Sometimes the truth hurts, so it's better to dress it up a little. When I want to get my kids to eat something controversial, I dress it up a bit. Sprouts become 'baby cabbages' which sound much more appetizing.
2. Make it look and taste nice - Colour is vital here, bright, fresh looking food is essential. Peppers, tomatoes, and carrots are great for adding vibrancy to a dish. If you're hot holding, then make sure it's turned / stirred from time to time so that it stays looking it's best. No-one wants to eat food that looks bad.
3. Make it fun to eat - Finger food is FUN (fact). Use skin on wedges instead of fries - These can be baked, and so are a healthy alternative too. Kids love 'mini food'. Instead of making one big portion, split it down and give them 2 or three ' mini meals'
 |
| Aviko 'Tiger Fries' made with Skin on and Sweet Potato fries |
4. Wrap it up! - Tortilla wraps are worthy of so much more - Take a bolognaise sauce filled with plenty of veg make a tortilla parcel, top it with cheese, and bake, and baked in the oven is a great alternative for this dish. A wrap can make any food portable, finger food and therefore fun.
5. Less is More! - One of the most common mistakes is overcooking our kids food. Veg should be crunchy, fish should be juicy, and meat should be succulent, just the way we like it.
For pub / family restaurants, kids food is a massive driver. I know as a family, with budgets tightening, when we go out, we go where the kids like the food because you don't want that money to be wasted. If you get the kids, you get the parents too, and that's where the profits are made.
My Kids (Current) Favourite Dishes:
My Kids (Current) Favourite Dishes:
Grilled Fish with Lemon
Directions
It's an odd one this, as you'd think fish might be less popular, but mine love it (As long as it has a good squeeze of lemon)
Take your fish of choice.
Grill until just cooked - Remember what I said earlier?
Give it a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Serve with your child's favourite veggies, and some crispy baked skin on potato wedges, or Sweet Potato fries as shown here.
Directions
It's an odd one this, as you'd think fish might be less popular, but mine love it (As long as it has a good squeeze of lemon)
Take your fish of choice.
Grill until just cooked - Remember what I said earlier?
Give it a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Serve with your child's favourite veggies, and some crispy baked skin on potato wedges, or Sweet Potato fries as shown here.
 |
| Grilled fish with Sweet Potato fries |
Fish Cakes
Directions
I've never met a child yet who didn't like good mashed potato, and this a great way of using up leftover mash. On top of which, you can hide veg inside, make them as 'mini' fish cakes, AND you can make them into shapes!
Approx equal weight of cooked, flaked fish and mashed potato.
Directions
I've never met a child yet who didn't like good mashed potato, and this a great way of using up leftover mash. On top of which, you can hide veg inside, make them as 'mini' fish cakes, AND you can make them into shapes!
Approx equal weight of cooked, flaked fish and mashed potato.
Peas, sweetcorn, or whatever veg you want to hide in there.
Breadcrumbs (Made from slightly stale bread whizzed in a food-processor is best)
Mix the fish, mashed potato, and veg together.
Form into your chosen shape.
Dip in beaten egg, and then coat in the crumb.
Lightly pan fry until crisp, and finish in the oven for best results.
Breadcrumbs (Made from slightly stale bread whizzed in a food-processor is best)
Mix the fish, mashed potato, and veg together.
Form into your chosen shape.
Dip in beaten egg, and then coat in the crumb.
Lightly pan fry until crisp, and finish in the oven for best results.
Spaghetti Carbonara (serves 2)
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| Spaghetti Carbonara |
Directions
This
can be a quick, simple meal and with half fat cream, and reduced fat
cheese, can be made into a much healthier choice (Or do what I do, and
give 'em the real thing, and then send 'em out for some exercise. I find
that washing my car burns off about enough calories hehe)
2 Eggs
100ml Dble Cream (Or low fat alternative)
50g Parmesan
Thinly sliced pancetta
2 Eggs
100ml Dble Cream (Or low fat alternative)
50g Parmesan
Thinly sliced pancetta
Lightly whisk the eggs, and mix with the cream.
Add the finely grated parmesan to the cream mix and set aside until required.
Grill or fry the pancetta until crispy and then break into small pieces. (Or use lean ham cut into small dices if you want to be healthier)
Cook the pasta, and drain. Return to the pan, and pour over the egg, cream and cheese mixture, stirring all the time. The heat from the pasta will cook the egg, and thicken the sauce. Mix in the pancetta / ham and serve. Feel free to add cooked peas / broccoli to this for even more colour!
Add the finely grated parmesan to the cream mix and set aside until required.
Grill or fry the pancetta until crispy and then break into small pieces. (Or use lean ham cut into small dices if you want to be healthier)
Cook the pasta, and drain. Return to the pan, and pour over the egg, cream and cheese mixture, stirring all the time. The heat from the pasta will cook the egg, and thicken the sauce. Mix in the pancetta / ham and serve. Feel free to add cooked peas / broccoli to this for even more colour!
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