Although your kids may not initially be open to exotic foods, baby steps are the key to expanding your their palettes.
Ever dreamed of including Indian, Japanese or Thai food in your weekly dinner rotation without having to make mac and cheese for the kids? We’re here to help.
Indian Food
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The best way to start introducing any new food is to find ones similar to what your child already likes and do it as early as possible (although, it's never too late!). The following are a few of the easiest dishes to introduce to even the pickiest eaters. Don't forget to reduce the spice level for little ones.
Kid-friendly dishes include:
Naan
Chicken Tikka Masala
Butter Chicken
Biryani
Italian Food
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Most kids already love pizza, so introducing them to Italian seems like a no-brainer. However, if you'd like to get more sophisticated with the Italian fare, these examples go beyond pizza and spaghetti.
Kid-friendly dishes include:
Cheese Plate with Prosciutto
Bruschetta
Homemade Pesto
Lasagna with Spinach
Mexican Food
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Although Mexican food is a way of life throughout the Southwest, your kids may not be as familiar with the simple cuisine. Because Mexican food is simplistic, it's easy to find a variety of dishes that will please the whole family. Plus, it's easy to make in miniature versions.
Kid-friendly dishes include:
Enchiladas
Quesadillas
Tacos
Burritos
Japanese Food
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The mention of raw fish alone may make your little one say, "Yucky." But there are many options when it comes to Japanese food. Focus on familiarity and creating fun-to-eat foods by playing with shape and color.
Kid-friendly dishes include:
Rice and Miso Soup
Sushi (try cooked fish first, such as crab and tuna rolls)
Green Tea Ice Cream
Edamame
Thai Food
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Go easy on the spices and let your kids enjoy the variety of Thai dishes available. From coconut milk to savory curry, Thai food is all about the seasoning. It also presents a good opportunity to introduce different types of protein sources (hello, tofu).
Kid-friendly dishes include:
Thai Fried Rice
Pad Thai
Grilled Chicken and Sticky Rice
French Food
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Introducing French food into a little one's diet shouldn't be too hard with its abundance of light desserts, buttery bread and a wide variety of cheeses. The best part is that your kids can even join in on creating these tasty treats!
Kid-friendly dishes include:
Crepes (sweet and savory)
Croissants
Cheeses (brie is a favorite with a sweet jelly)
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