Goodbye August, hello September! We will miss you Summer, but we can’t help but FALL in love with the upcoming season. Autumn means cute sweaters, fashionable boots, colorful leaves, and delicious fall recipes! This week, we want to highlight some recipes parents and caregivers can make for the entire family to enjoy.
Finding ways to incorporate healthy eating habits into their kids’ diet is always a challenge, but not impossible. One way to further encourage and motivate kids to eat fruits and vegetables is to make it fun. Getting the kids involved in the kitchen not only help keep them busy and active, but it can help improve their social, problem-solving, and teamworking skills. Parents and child caregivers can integrate educational subjects like math, science, and history while cooking!
Corn and apples are among the fall fruits and veggies that are in peak this month. Bountiful in nutrients like Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, these two items are great to add to your family’s weekly meal plans. To welcome the new month and season, here are some simple, quick, and fun recipes parents and child caregivers can make with the kiddos.
Simple Sweet Corn Salad
A super easy, quick, and delicious snack that leaves the kids wanting more!
Time: 5-10 minutes; Serves: 1 per 1 cup of corn kernels
Ingredients
1 cup sweet corn kernels per serving
1 tsp butter or ghee
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp lemon juice
Directions
1. Buy fresh corn at your local farmer’s market or grocery store. Store extra in the fridge to keep them sweet.
2. Fill a pot with water and boil your corn for 10-15 minutes.
3. After the cooked corn is cooled down, remove the corn kernels with a knife or by hand into a bowl.
4. Add butter, salt, pepper and lemon juice as desired.
5. Mix everything well with a spoon and serve!
Fresh Corn Pancakes
A great way to incorporate veggies in a child’s breakfast meal!
Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 2
Ingredients
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup corn, about 1 ear
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated (optional)
Ready-made salsa and sour cream (optional)
Maple syrup (optional)
Directions
1. Mix the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and salt into a large bowl.
2. On a separate bowl, mix the milk, eggs, and butter.
3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients. Make sure not to overmix.
4. Add in the corn and cheese (optional) into the mixture.
5. Heat a pan over medium heat. Add just a bit of butter.
6. Pour 1/4 cup of the mixture into the pan. Cook until the surface starts to bubble and the bottom is golden brown (~ 2-3 minutes).
7. Flip the pancake and cook the other side until the bottom is golden brown (~ 1-2 minutes).
8. Add your optional salsa and sour cream for a savory dish or your favorite maple syrup for a sweet bite.
Grilled Peanut Butter and Apple
A protein-packed snack for kids anytime, anywhere!
Time: 10 minutes; Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 medium – apple (Gala is best, but feel free to use any type!)
1/2 teaspoon – cinnamon
1/2 cup – peanut butter, all-natural
8 slice – bread, whole wheat
1 – any cooking spray (use coconut or olive oil as a healthier alternative)
Serve with carrots (optional)
Directions
1. Core and slice the apple.
2. On each slice bread, spread one tablespoon of peanut butter onto one side of the bread. Arrange the apple slices on 4 slices of bread and sprinkle cinnamon evenly over the apple slices.
3. With the remaining 4 slices of bread, place the peanut butter face down to complete the sandwich.
4. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray on medium heat. Grill the sandwiches until browned (~1 to 2 minutes on each side).
5. Serve with carrot sticks if desired and enjoy!
Mini Apple Pies
You can’t mention apples and not include apple pies! Delicious, easy and so addicting!
Time: 45 minutes; Serves: 6-12 mini pies
Ingredients
1 large Granny Smith Apple- cut in small pieces
½ t ground cinnamon
1 T Vanilla (extract or vanilla bean)
1 package Pie Crust
1 egg
Muffin/pie tray
Small circle cookie cutter or any drinking glass
Directions
1. Mix the diced apples, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a bowl and let it sit.
2. Cut the pie crust into small circles using a small cookie cutter or the rim of any drinking glass.
3. Place the mini pie crusts into a muffin or pie tray.
4. Fill in the mixture but don’t overfill. Use extra pie crust to cover the top of the pies.
5. Brush egg wash on top of each
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until golden brown
Want more kid-friendly recipes? Visit our blog to see past recipes and be in the loop for future ones as well! These recipes are so fun and delicious, kids, parents, and childcare givers will love making it, and most importantly, eating it!
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