KIDS LOVE TO COOK AND LOVE TO EAT WHAT THEY COOK

One of the surest ways to get your kids to eat healthy is to get them involved in meal preparation.  They will get excited about the ingredients and at what they can make (with a little help from mom). They'll try new foods and learn to be creative.

Here are two recipes you can try with your kids. So, call them into the kitchen and let the cooking begin!

What kid doesn't like chicken nuggets? The trick is to get them to eat the homemade kind and not the deep-fried, fast-food kind. Here's a simple recipe that you can prepare together and enjoy together.


Flaky Chicken Nuggets - Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
3 cups of corn flakes
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
pinch of pepper
1 pound boneless chicken breasts halved, skinless cut into nugget-size pieces
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs

1. Parent:  Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. Parent:  Coat a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

3. Child: Measure out 3 cups of corn flakes and place them into a zip-lock bag. Then, use a rolling pin or small saucepan to crush the flakes to a fine texture.

4. Parent/Child: Parent or child measures grated cheese, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper. Child places these ingredients, along with the crushed flakes, into a medium mixing bowl and stirs until combined.

5. Child: Puts the pre-measured flour into another zip-lock bag, places chicken into the bag and flips the bag over several times until each piece is coated.

6. Child or Parent: Beat eggs in a shallow bowl.

7. Child: Shake off excess flour and dip nuggets into the egg to coat them.

8. Child: Put individual chicken pieces into the bowl and coats with crushed-flake mixture.

9. Child: Arrange the breaded nuggets on the pan.

10.  Parent: Place the pan in the oven for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly, serve and enjoy.

Here's another fun recipe that kids really dig in to. Shhhh, don't tell them it's healthy.


Jazzy Pizzazz Dip - Makes 10 servings

Ingredients:
6 oz. light cream cheese
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 cup part-skim shredded Mozzarella
1/4 cup diced red peppers
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Bread sticks or crackers for dipping

1.  Parent:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Child:  Place cream cheese, sour cream and oregano into a medium bowl and stir until smooth.

3. Parent and Child:  Spread mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie plate.

4. Child:  Pour pizza sauce over top and add shredded cheese, peppers and onion.

5. Parent:  Place pie plate into oven for 10 minutes or until cheese melts.

6. Parent:  Serve with crackers or breadsticks.

7. Parent and Child:  Dig in and enjoy!