We all want to pass our love of good food on to our children, but getting our kids to try new foods can be challenging. That’s why educating them on the process that goes into mealtime is not only an opportunity to provide them with an essential life skill, but also a great way to spend quality time with the family.
Kids are naturally creative, so what better place to foster that creativity than in the kitchen? Encourage them to get involved with your family menu ideas and you’ll cultivate a deep, enduring connection between food and family.
Family-friendly Dinner Ideas
One way to get your kids creative juices flowing is to find something simple to prepare yet rich in flavors. These Beef Kabobs with Parmesan Orzo are perfect for kids to get involved in. They’ll love queuing up the ingredients for the kabob skewer, and with Orzo’s familiar pasta-like flavor, these beef kabobs are sure to become a new family favorite in your home!
Enticing Picky-Eaters
Getting reluctant kids to eat more vegetables is an age-old dilemma as they instinctively distrust new foods. To get around this, home chefs have to be pragmatic, and infusing tried and tested favorites with new ingredients and flavors is a great way to encourage your loved ones to try something new.
In this recipe for Roasted Seven Vegetable Couscous, the potentially daunting new flavors are offset by the familiar taste of delicious, crumbly couscous. Don’t worry if they don’t eat all seven vegetables the first time, the melding of flavors in the cooking process means your kids are expanding their pallet, unbeknownst to themselves, and might surprise you with their sophistication the next time you serve the meal!
Savory Snacks
Let’s face it, kids orbit an entirely different planet than adults. Whether we like it or not, there are days when the idea of sitting down together and discussing the day’s happenings over well-crafted, home-cooked food isn’t their idea of fun. Sometimes, it’s not what’s on the menu, per se, but the fact that the mealtime is cutting into their precious playtime.
On those days when you just can’t get your kids to sit still for five minutes, it’s important to have a dynamic range of snacks made with wholesome ingredients that ensure they get the nutrients they need to fuel their adventures.
Veggie Quinoa Cakes boast a flavorful blend of onion, carrot, spinach, jalapeño and zucchini – not to mention parmesan and cheddar cheese – that will have your kids running back to the table for more! Perfect for kids’ birthday parties or family gatherings, don’t be surprised if the grown-ups in attendance ask you for the recipe.
If you’re looking to give your kids something that is much more than your average dip, this Rice Cheese Spread, is not only flavorful and delicious, but also boasts nutty, aromatic RiceSelect® Texmati® rice among its ingredients, which makes sure your kids get the benefit of something much more than a snack.
How to Cook RiceSelect®Texmati® Brown Rice
TexmatiⓇ Rice is a exciting hybrid grain developed by RiceSelect® that blends long grain American brown rice with basmati rice. Its fresh, nutty flavor profile allows it to infuse meals with distinct aromas, helping you to create dishes that are memorable and unique. Preparing Texmati® is not complicated, just follow these easy steps:
Bring water to a boil.
Add salt and butter or olive oil, if desired.
Stir in rice.
Cover with lid; reduce heat to low and simmer 45 minutes.
Remove from heat and let stand (covered) 5 minutes.
Fluff with a fork and serve.
Alternatively, if you like your rice to have a soft, fluffy texture, then you’ll be glad to know that Texmati also comes in a long grain white variety.