Top Kid-Friendly Vegetable Side Dishes
We all know that increasing vegetable intake is good for our kids' health. Yet most parents struggle to find new ways to cook vegetables that their children will taste and like. In my house, I try to have at least one kid-friendly vegetable side dish that my kids can try each night. Some nights they try the veggie, and other nights they don't. No matter what, I keep trying and I'm often surprised by the results.
Here are some easy ways to prepare some everyday favorite vegetables. For more tips on how to get your kids to eat more fruits and vegetables, click here.
- Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar Sprinkles. Preheat oven to 400. Spread cubed butternut squash onto a baking dish. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast until the squash softens and starts to brown, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Roasted cauliflower. Heat oven to 400. Chop up a head of cauliflower. Place the cauliflower on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss. Cook in the oven, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, about 40-45 minutes. The cauliflower ends up tasting like french fries and my kids love it!
- Steamed broccoli. Heat about 1-2 inches of water in a small pot. Cut up a head of broccoli. Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 7 minutes. Drain. Add some butter and salt. Enjoy!
- Brussels Sprouts with Raisins. Trim and halve the brussels sprouts. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Melt some oil and/or butter in a pan. Saute the brussels sprouts until they start to brown. Add 1/2 a cup chicken stock or water to the pan. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, until the brussels sprouts are soft. Add a handful of raisins and enjoy!
- Corn on the Cob. Heat up some water in a steaming pot. Add shucked corn. Cover and steam for about 10 minutes, depending on how fresh the corn is. Give at least 5 minutes of cooling time or run under cold water before serving.
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