My sister pretty much raised me when I was younger, even though she was only five years older than me. She always got me up for school, made me a packed lunch and then we would make dinner when we got home. My sister is a Wonder Woman, and now has two young boys of her own to look after. She has numerous college qualifications in childcare, and recently just received first class honours in another childcare course (I’m a very proud sister).
I try to spend as much time as I can with my family, especially when the kids are on holidays. I see how challenging it can be to get young kids to eat healthy foods in the summer time. A combination of heat lethargy, longer daytimes and more active outdoor activities can leave younger kids tired and restless, craving quick sugar highs.
My sister combated the potential demand for chicken nuggets on repeat by involving the kids in the preparation and cooking of meals, and encouraging them to try new foods to see what they might like. There was one Christmas where we had the youngest try caviar on toast, and he loved it.
The following recipes are delicious for both kids and adults, and are perfect as snacks or as main meals, all featuring vegetables high in nutrients. Involving kids in the process of preparing and cooking is a great way to spend a few hours doing something interactive, but also very useful for them in later years. Cooking should be taught to all children as a basic life skill.
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The pizza recipe uses passata, as some pizza sauces can contain high amounts of sodium, too much for kids’ food.
The corn fritters are a favourite of mine; I sometimes make them for breakfast with a fried egg and some peanut rayu. Kids love them too, and the crème fraîche with chives compliments them perfectly, although you can replace it with maple syrup.
The cookies are perhaps the most deceitful, but perfect for incorporating veggies into a sweet snack. They are nicer warm, as the marshmallows melt with the chocolate. For a more adult treat, they pair wonderfully with some pear sorbet.
Recipe: Mini pizza roll-ups stuffed with peppers
