Letting your kids participate in food preparation activities will help get them excited about eating their fruits and veggies. This quick and fun snack can teach valuable nutrition education.
Trees in a Broccoli Forest
From “Dole 5 A Day Kids Cookbook”
Serves 4
Vegetable forest ingredients:
2 carrots, peeled
3 cups broccoli florets
1 red pepper ring, or 4 cherry tomatoes
3 Tbsp. parsley leaves
Dipping sauce ingredients:
1/4 cup plain, nonfat yogurt
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp. honey
2 tsp. spicy brown mustard
Planting your forest:
Have children wash their hands and preparation areas with warm, soapy water. For dipping sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Then hold carrots against cutting board and trim off ends. Cut each in half, crosswise, then lengthwise to make four pieces. Cut red pepper ring in four pieces, making sure there’s a rib in the center of each cut piece.
Arranging your plate:
Place two carrot pieces (“tree stumps”) side-by-side in the center. Arrange broccoli (“branches”) around carrots, forming a cluster. Place two of the red pepper pieces or cherry tomatoes (“birds”) in the upper corner of the plate. Spoon dip around the base of the carrots, and sprinkle with the parsley. Then dunk your red pepper birds, broccoli branches and carrot tree stumps in the dipping sauce and enjoy!
