Kid-Friendly Cooking with Healthy Herbs

Savvy parents have found that herbs can be easily and stealthily incorporated into kid-friendly cooking.  Here are a few kid-friendly ways to add herbs to meals from Casey Seidenberg and the Washington Post.

Kid-friendly cooking, like kid-friendly dining, can be like walking a tight rope for families.  Kid-friendly cooking must combine the flavors, textures and ingredients that young palates can enjoy with the nutrition and flavors that adults in the family can appreciate.  Many a healthy dinner has been the setting for family food battles.  We don’t promise to end those altogether, but we can help. 

One of the easiest ways to add both flavor and nutrition to a meal (without adding unnecessary fat and calories) is with herbs.  Yes, some kids will love them and some kids will not, but these flavor-packed plants are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.  Savvy parents have found herbs be easily and stealthily incorporated into kid-friendly cooking.  Here are a few kid-friendly ways to add herbs to meals from Casey Seidenberg and the Washington Post:

  • Add chopped basil, parsley, dill, thyme, mint, and/or oregano to a salad
  • Top pizza with basil and oregano (even a delivery pizza)
  • Whip mashed potatoes with parsley
  • Sprinkle chives on an egg salad sandwich
  • Blend mint into strawberry and blueberry smoothies
  • Add fresh herbs to every soup
  • Marinate meat, chicken and fish with herbs
  • Top ice cream or fruit with a chocolate mint syrup