Healthy Kids Meals – Classic, Tried-and-Tested Recipes
Let’s face it – the classic meals were a hit with us as kids then, they still hold some appeal for today’s children. Healthy foods – in my humble opinion – started here, or at least the notion of eating healthy can be traced back to when food was served at its simplest.
Here are some of those recipes that will take you back to memory lane (and that which you can use for your children to create their own memories):
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients:
butter or oil
3 tbsp plain, dry breadcrumbs
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp paprika
a 10 oz or 16 oz bag of frozen spinach
1 1/2 cups of milk
1/4 cup of milk
3 tbsp flour
2 cups shredded, extra sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
salt and pepper
2 cups of elbow macaroni (or penne)
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush an 8-inch square dish with butter or oil.
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In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, and paprika.
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Put a 10 to 16-oz package of frozen spinach on a strainer and press out excess water.
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In a large saucepan, heat 1 ½ cups of milk until steaming.
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In a small bowl, whisk an additional ¼ cup of milk and 3 tablespoons of flour until smooth and add to the hot milk. Stir and simmer until thickened, around 2 to 3 minutes.
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Remove from heat and stir in Cheddar cheese until melted. Stir in cottage cheese, ground nutmeg, salt and pepper.
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Cook 2 cups of elbow macaroni or penne for 4 minutes only because it will continue to cook during baking (less than the package instructions).
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Drain and add pasta to the cheese sauce. Mix.
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Spread half of the pasta in the baking dish. Layer spinach in, and put the remaining pasta on it. Sprinkle breadcrumbs. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
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Makes 4 servings and the preparation and cooking time would take you about an hour.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti has always been a specialty of the Italians, and this recipe is no exception.
Ingredients:
1 pack spaghetti
1 lb. ground beef
2 tbsp plain dry breadcrumbs
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
1 medium egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup onions, chopped
1 tbsp oil
15 oz. tomato sauce
14 1/2 oz. crushed whole tomatoes (undrained)
6 oz. tomato paste
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp oregano
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
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Cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
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In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese, egg, ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Shape into balls (preferable amounting to 20 balls).
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Fry it until brown on all sides; dry on paper towels.
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In a saucepan, sauté chopped onions in 1 tablespoon of oil until tender.
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Add tomato sauce, crushed whole tomatoes (undrained), tomato paste, basil, sugar, garlic powder and oregano.
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Add meatballs, simmer and cover for an additional 20 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese and put on spaghetti. Serves 6.
Baked Apples
Ingredients:
2 apples, cored
4 tbsp dried fruit
4 tsp toasted nuts
1 tsp honey
cinnamon
1/2 cup apple cider
plain yogurt
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Combine dried fruit, toasted nuts, honey and a pinch of cinnamon. Mix well.
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Spoon mix into 2 cored apples.
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Put the apples in a small baking dish; pour apple cider around them. Cover with foil and bake for about 45 minutes or until tender.
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Top with plain yoghurt upon serving. Makes 2 servings.
Your child will eat heartily once you introduce classic recipes to him. Pretty sure, your arguments won’t be a matter of eating healthy anymore, but on when he’ll get to eat your old-fashioned recipes again. |
