Holiday Recipes for Even the Pickiest Lil’ Eaters

You are amped up for holiday meals, but your little ones might not be so thrilled. The fun and excitement of the holidays doesn’t always transfer to the dinner table, unless it’s covered in chocolate. Here are some kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing recipes to include in those sometimes controversial holiday menus.

 

Appetizers
Instead of fried junk, opt for sippable soups and veggiecentric snacks. Add a little kick of spice for the grownups and dial down the heat in a smaller batch for little ones. Even picky eaters tend to love briny olives and other finger foods.

Recipes to try:

Simple Chicken Soup

Citrus Marinated Olives

Parsnip Chips

Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce

 

Mains
Lightened-up comfort foods like baked pastas and oven-fried chicken are always winners for a house filled with family and friends. Remember to also incorporate lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables into the holiday meal.

Recipes to try:

Pork with Squash and Apples (pictured above)

Light Baked Spaghetti

Oven-Fried Chicken

 

Sides
Naturally sweet vegetables like carrots and holiday staples like sweet potatoes make for popular side dishes. Don’t forget something green; little fingers love to munch on green beans (it’s OK to let kids eat with their hands sometimes).

Recipes to try:

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Roasted Carrots

Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic

 

Desserts
Treats usually aren’t a hard sell, but with the massive amounts of sugar during the holiday season, it’s a good idea to incorporate some fruit-heavy and portion-controlled offerings.

Recipes to try:

Frozen Pumpkin Mousse

Apple Phyllo Turnovers

Chocolate Macaroons

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.

from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/2faFbNT