When it comes to eating, kids can be very fussy. If the decision was left to them, every night the menu may include hot dogs, pizzas, popcorn, potato chips, and other junk foods. The concerns and dangers of child obesity isn’t a secret to all and to fight this condition at home, a mother has to come up with healthy dinner for kids. So keeping this in mind, we have provided a few suggestions on what can be on the menu for the little munchkins. Healthy Twice-Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
Ground beef, lean, 8 oz.
Russet potatoes, 4
Scallion, sliced, 3
Broccoli florets, diced, 1 cup
Reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded, 1 cup
Water, 1 cup
Reduced-fat sour cream, ½ cup
Salt and black pepper, for taste
Directions
Poke the potatoes with a fork and into the microwave to cook. Turn the potatoes from time to time to cook evenly. Till that time, take a non-stick pan to brown the beef. This should take about 3―4 minutes. Transfer the meat into a bowl and add broccoli with water in the same pan. Cover the pan and cook the broccoli for about 4―5 minutes. When the broccoli is ready, drain it and mix with the beef. For the potatoes, cut them ⅓ from the top and scoop the cooked potato in a bowl; reserve the potato shells. In the bowl where you have the insides of the potatoes, add sour cream, salt, black pepper, and ½ cup cheddar cheese. Mix and mash properly. Then add scallions along with the beef-broccoli mix. Stir thoroughly again and fill the potato shells we have on reserve. Keep the shell on a microwave-safe dish, and spread the other ½ cup cheddar cheese on top. Place the dish in the microwave and heat the potatoes till the cheese melts. Serve when ready to eat Aronia berry.
Healthy Pepperoni Pizza
Ingredients
Whole-wheat pizza dough, prepared, 1 lb.
Turkey pepperoni, 2 cups
Part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded, 1 cup
Canned pumpkin purée, unseasoned, 1 cup
Parmesan cheese, grated, ½ cup
Canned tomato sauce, unsalted, ½ cup
Garlic powder, ½ teaspoon
Directions
Preheat the oven at 450°F, and spread cooking spray over a baking sheet. Roll the dough out over a floured workstation, and then onto the baking sheet. Bake the dough for about 8―10 minutes or till you see the dough puffed up and crispy. Meanwhile, we will prepare the sauce. In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, tomato sauce, and garlic powder together. When the pizza crust is ready, spread the sauce on top and spread mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and pepperoni (in that order) on top. Place the pizza back in the oven for another 10―12 minutes. When the cheese melts and pepperoni is cooked, remove the pizza, cut the slices, and serve.
For leftover sauce, store it in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator (stays fresh for 5 days); you can also keep the container in the freezer (can be used up to 3 months).
Healthy Chicken Drumsticks and Rice
Ingredients
Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
Chicken drumsticks, 8
Tomatoes, sliced, 2
Red bell peppers, sliced, 2
Garlic cloves, chopped, 2
Onion, sliced, 1
Salt and black pepper, for taste
Cooked rice
Direction
Preheat the oven at 375°F. With a knife, slash the drumsticks few times so that they can cook all the way through. Keep the drumsticks in a bowl, drizzle olive oil on top, and season with salt and black pepper. Transfer the drumsticks onto a baking sheet, and into the oven till it turns golden brown and crisp from the outside. There might be some chicken fat on the baking sheet; drain it. In a non-stick, add couple of drops of olive oil and sauté garlic, onion, bell peppers, and tomatoes together. Season with salt and black pepper. Transfer the drumsticks in the pan, and cook for about 10 minutes. To serve, first spread cooked rice on the platter and place the drumsticks on top with grilled vegetables.
Healthy Graham Cracker and Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
Whole-wheat graham cracker squares, 8
Coconut flakes, unsweetened, 4 tablespoons
Honey, 2½ tablespoons
Raisins, ¼ cup
Directions
Take a Ziploc bag to ground the graham crackers in. Transfer the crumbled crackers in a medium bowl. Add raisins, honey, and peanut butter. Combine properly and make medium-sized cookies. Empty coconut flakes into a small bowl and roll the cookies in it. Serve once the cookies are ready.
The dinner ideas mentioned in the article don’t require a lot of time in the kitchen and can be done in a jiffy. I’m sure that the kids are going to love these dishes. And, depending on your child’s taste buds, you can easily make alterations by adding or removing any of the ingredients that are provided.
