Children love to eat at fast food places since the food, visuals, and fancy and colorful characters used to market these establishments appeal to their tastes. Eating fast food fare once in a while as a treat won’t likely cause harm to a child’s health, but consuming burgers and other fried and highly processed foods frequently can have a negative impact on your little one’s wellbeing and academic performance. According to research, fast food intake more than thrice a week can increase the risks of developing health conditions such as asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in children. Moreover, the study also revealed that eating unhealthy food 4 to 6 times a week can lower a child’s math and reading skills.
To ensure that your child stays healthy, take time to make healthful meals at home, such as pizza from scratch, instead of ordering from a fast food place. Teaching kids to cook may also encourage them to make better food choices. This year, teach your children to make these easy-to-cook Indian dishes that aren’t just good for the body, but are oh-so-delicious too.
Spicy Vegetable Stir Fry
If you’re planning to let your child join you in the kitchen, it’s important to take some precautions to prevent accidents from happening while you’re prepping and cooking meals. You’ll need to supervise them while they’re using the stove, and it’s also essential to equip them with kid friendly cooking tools such as non-slip bowls, nylon knives, and an apron. You’ll also need to have a sturdy step stool so they can easily reach the counter. Once you have all of these ready, think about recipes that you can cook together. One of the easiest dishes to make with a child is stir fry, so consider making a spicy veggie stir fry.
First, heat some oil in a pan and fry up half a cup of paneer cubes. Set it aside. In the same pan, saute some curry leaves, cumin, mustard and ginger, then add about a cup of cauliflower and one-fourth cup of green peas. Add salt and turmeric, then cover the pan and cook until the cauliflower is tender. Add a chopped boiled potato, one chopped carrot, bell pepper strips and one chopped tomato, then mix until cooked. Finish by adding masala powder, pepper powder, and amchar powder.
Mango Lassi
If your child is craving something sweet, try making a simple mango lassi in the kitchen. It’s healthier than ice cream or soft drinks since it isn’t loaded with artificial flavors, and it’s refreshing, especially on a hot day. Moreover, it aids digestion so it’s best consumed after a meal. To make mango lassi, place a cup of chopped ripe mango, 1 cup of plain yogurt, half a cup of milk, 3 tablespoons of honey and some ice in a blender. Pour the mixture into glasses and sprinkle some ground cardamom or cinnamon on top before serving.
Cheese Balls
For a healthy and delicious appetizer or snack, consider making some cheese balls with your child. To make this savory dish, combine 1 and a half cups of grated processed cheese or mozzarella cheese with 3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs, 3 tablespoons corn flour, 1 tablespoon all purpose flour, and 2 teaspoons chopped green chilies with some salt in a bowl. Divide the mixture into 25 to 30 portions and shape each portion into a round ball with your hands. Deep fry the cheese balls in oil until golden, drain, then serve with chili sauce or ketchup.
Teaching kids to cook helps them make good food choices, which can lead to better health. Consider these easy Indian dishes to teach your little chef, and make delicious food that everyone can enjoy.