Dinner Ideas for kids
By Contributing Author
Children often balk at their plates at dinner time. Discover here easy to make recipes that will make your little darlings want to finish, finally, their plate even if it includes vegetables or fish!
Almost allergic to vegetables and often quite reluctant to swallow fish, children are difficult to please. However, it is essential for their health to eat balanced meals and important for their development to taste everything.
For more exhaustive dinner ideas for kids, please take a look at this list of recipes.
Easy and quick kids’ meal ideas to prepare:
We know that it is from an early age that children develop their taste and that they are the most apt to appreciate certain foods. Thus, it is necessary to offer them varied recipes that allow them to discover many flavors and a balanced diet for their good health. For this, it is important not to ban any food, starting with fruits and vegetables. Be creative, listen to their tastes and bet on simple and quick preparations, to prepare in advance: purees, soups, gratins, stuffed vegetables … You can also revisit their favorite recipes with vegetables, meat or fish: pizzas, lasagna, omelets, cakes, vegetable fries … playful preparations, to be enjoyed with the fingers that will delight young and old!
- Pizza
Among the flagship recipes that always please kids, we often find pizza. But rather than ordering it at the local restaurant, get your hands dirty! Your child can pretend to be a pizza maker for an evening. As for the ingredients, you have the choice so be original with your little clerk. When preparing, don’t hesitate to ask him what ingredients he would like to put on his pizza; he’ll love making his own pizza. At the same time, give your creation a name. Imagine your child’s pride in presenting their creation to the rest of the family at mealtime.
Gourmet tip: Add mozzarella inside the crust for even more craziness.
Healthy tip: Do you know the recipe for cauliflower pizza dough? A very good alternative to the classic dough.
The easy pizza recipe: La Margarita
Top the pizza dough with crushed tomatoes, salt, and oregano and
Bake it in a hot oven.
When cooked, add the crumbled mozzarella and bake for another minute just to melt the mozzarella.
When ready to serve, pour a drizzle of olive oil and chopped fresh basil.
- Lasagna
With a dish of lasagna, you will win every time! Most kids love it (pasta, tomato sauce and minced meat, it’s a magical combo) so indulge them once in a while by making a delicious lasagna dish. The great thing about this recipe is that you can discreetly “hide” slices of vegetables! And hop, it passes neither seen nor known!
Gourmet tip: When preparing, add a few slices of mozzarella between the different layers of pasta and meat for more creaminess.
Healthy tip: Replace meat with vegetables! Tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini … so many ingredients that will titillate his young taste buds!
- The homemade burger
An essential recipe for kids. But who says burger does not mean junk food. Teach him to eat healthy while having fun. With him, make homemade burgers with fresh, seasonal products.
Gourmet tip: For a touch of originality on the plate, replace the traditional fries with potato churros.
Healthy tip: Replace potatoes with vegetables, maybe it will go unnoticed?
- Breaded fish sticks
Oh yeah, breaded fish fingers are one of the children’s favorite recipes! They are easily eaten and even with your fingers sometimes. Each time, it’s a treat, especially with rice and peas!
Gourmet tip: In two steps, three movements, prepare a small white sauce; your Loulou will love to dip his breaded fish sticks in it.
Healthy tip: How about preparing vegetable sticks on the side?
- The pancakes
Nothing could be more convivial than a “pancake party” with the family. Savory or sweet version, there is something for you. Teach your child how to make the pancake batter. Start by showing him and then gradually let him take matters in hand, he will love it. It’s up to you to choose your ingredients together (mushrooms, eggs, minced meat, or ham for the salty version for example, and grated coconut, pieces of banana and chocolate for the sweet version), everything is possible and imaginable with a pancake!
Gourmet tip: To make the dessert more fun to cook, let your little one add whipped cream or chocolate sauce to complete its preparation. Yum, he will be delighted!
Healthy tip: Prefer a sweet pancake filled with fresh fruit.
- The fruit crumble
Crumble is crunchy and melting at the same time, and it’s even better when it’s still a little warm! And in addition, you can put lots of fruit there without the children complaining! Quick and easy to do, the whole family will be wanting more! From 2 years old, your child will be able to help you in the kitchen by crumbling the shortbread dough, a perfect stain for working out fine motor skills.
Gourmet tip: Place a small scoop of ice cream next to the portion of crumble.
Healthy tip: Replace the flour with almond powder or grated coconut, a very good, more nutritious, and tasty alternative.
- Omelet
What kid doesn’t have fun breaking eggs in the kitchen? The omelet is the recipe to keep in hand when you want to have a good time behind the stove with your child. Quick and easy to do, there are multitudes of associations to surprise your family at every meal.
Gourmet tip: To make your child want to succumb to this recipe, even more, have fun with the shape of your omelet. With a special pan or cookie cutters, create the shape of your choice, and don’t forget to decorate your dish in a fun way.
Healthy tip: Add different vegetables to your omelet and add herbs to enhance its taste and give it beautiful colors.
