Who Says Kids Don’t Eat Vegetables?

East Palo Alto Library hosted Eat More Vegetables last week, part of the San Mateo County Library Summer Healthy Cooking series, taught by yours truly. Class started with only one young mother and her 2-year old daughter in the first row. Oh well?.so much for interest.

But quickly people began to fill in seats, except they weren’t very tall people. In fact, not only was more than half the class really short, sitting in front of me were the biggest veggie critics of ALL TIME. (i.e. kids, ages 3-9)

Uh oh.

I don’t have children, but I’ve cooked for them for years. People say, “kids don’t eat vegetables.” But over and over again that myth has been debunked. Not sure if it’s because I play the heavy; “I’m a mean chef with a knife just like you see on TV and you will at least try this,” but something works. Guess it’s time to test the theory again.

After a quick adult-to-kid-approach switch-a-roo, class begins?..

“Vegetables have secrets, and the secret is that vegetables are? psss into their ear. Pass it on.” Food Party regulars – you know the secret. And when you combine it with the ol’ “whisper into ear” shtick, it always hooks the kids.

I had them from hello.

Class goes on and we cook up:
Kale Almond Craisin Rollups
Candy Carrot Bites
Grilled Cauliflower with store bought Cilantro Pesto
Greens Saut� #1 with olive oil, tomato, basil and garlic
Green Saut� #2 with coconut oil, turmeric, cayenne and nutritional yeast. Both saut�s from the Easy Seasoning Handout.

What can I say? ALL the kids (of different ethnic backgrounds) liked ALL the vegetables. They were really into it. I was surprised! But better to hear from them. The young mother in the front row was first to come up at the end.

“I am so excited. I have been trying to get my daughter to eat more vegetables. Tonight she ate everything.”

Below are two of our kid-approved creations. Try them with your family. We’d love to hear the results.

Summary: KIDS EAT VEGETABLES. But don’t forget to work in that secret??..

Kale Almond Craisin Rollups
makes approx. 25

1 bunch Dinosaur Kale (this is the longer leaf kale, less curly on the edges)
1 jar almond, peanut or cashew butter
1 � cup of craisins
Wash kale and cut leaves in half the long way, removing the inner rib.
Spread on some nut butter onto each kale leaf, top with some craisins, roll up and munch! If taking to work or school, secure with a toothpick.

Candy Carrot Bites

6 large carrots, peeled and roll cut into same size pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 375�F. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Make sure carrots are coated well (use your hands to mix it all together). Put onto a baking sheet flat (all carrots touching the pan, not bunched up on top of each other). Roast 30 – 40 minutes. Peer in and check status while cooking. Move the carrots with a spatula half way thru the roasting process. Spray with water bottle sprayer as/if needed. Baked till browned around edges and tender.