Happy meals make for happy kids. And we know that fast food steals the heart of most kids. But as a parent, you would want your kids to eat healthy. How would you strike the balance then?
Fret not! These recipes are not only “fast food” (read: quick and easy to prepare) but are also nutritionally balanced thanks to a little known hack — using frozen vegetables! Frozen vegetables have a longer shelf life due to the immediate snap-freezing process after they are picked. The nutrients are locked in during the process, which means little to no nutrient loss compared to fresh vegetables.
Try incorporating them into the diets to appease even the fussiest little ones today!
Recipe #1: Bacon and Vegetable Slices
Move aside, sandwiches. Make way for the wholesome ham and vegetable slides instead. These colourful slides are a great alternative to sandwiches; they are healthier too with veggies thrown into the mix!
Ingredients:
1 cup of FairPrice Frozen Fresh Mixed Vegetables (or substitute with Fresh Garden Peas as an alternative)
4 pieces of FairPrice Streaky Bacon, chopped finely
½ cup of grated carrot
75g FairPrice Self-Raising Flour
3 eggs
½ cup shredded FairPrice Cheddar Cheese
40ml FairPrice Canola Oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Preheat the oven at 180°C. Grease and line a 12cm x 22cm bread pan with baking paper.
- Mix ham, carrot, mixed veggies and cheese in a bowl.
- Add the self-raising flour and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and whisk together with the oil. Then, pour and mix well with the other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the mixture into the bread pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Recipe adapted from here.
Recipe #2: Edamame and Corn Salad
Meals are more fun when the whole family gets to participate in the meal preparation. Rope in your kids to help make this simple yet scrumptious salad. Kids take pride in what they make and they will wolf down what they make. You won’t have to persuade them to eat their vegetables! You can even adapt this versatile salad by adding more ingredients like red onion to suit more complex taste buds, if you’d like.
Ingredients:
Salad
2 cups FairPrice Frozen Edamame Salted Soy Beans
2 cups FairPrice Frozen Fresh Corn Kernel
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Dressing
2 tsp FairPrice Light Soya Sauce
2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar
2 tsp FairPrice Fine Brown Sugar
Method:
- Bring water to a gentle boil in a large pot.
- Add the edamame and boil for 3 minutes.
- Add the corn and boil for another 2 minutes.
- Drain the corn and edamame in a colander and run under cold water.
- In a separate bowl, mix all the ingredients for the dressing.
- Combine the dressing, edamame and corn. Toss well.
- Add sesame seeds and toss again.
- Chill the salad in the fridge before serving!
Recipe #3: Home-cooked Fast Food Set
Once in a while, you will allow your kids to indulge in fast food. But do you know there is a way to serve a healthier version of fast food to your kids? Recreate fast food at home!
How is it healthier, you may ask? For one, you get to control the cooking method. instead of frying in oil, use the air-fryer or oven to cut out the use of oil. Secondly, be selective about the products you use in your cooking. Look out for labels such as ‘trans-fat free’ or ‘cholesterol-free’ on products. These are options that safeguard your family’s well-being in the long run. Our French Fries, for example, are made from premium-grade New Zealand potatoes and contain no added salt, flavouring or colouring.
Don’t fancy fries? You can make a corn cup as an alternative nutritious side.
Ingredients:
FairPrice Frozen Chicken Nuggets
FairPrice Frozen French Fries – Crinkle Cut
FairPrice Frozen Fresh Corn Kernel
FairPrice Block Butter
Method:
Nuggets
1. To air-fry, fry the nuggets for 12 to 15 minutes at 180°C or until cooked.
2. To oven-bake, place the nuggets on a baking rack and heat for 15 minutes at 180°C. No oil is required.
French fries
1. Add the fries to the air fryer.
2. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes at 190°C.
3. Toss the fries midway through the cycle.
Buttery corn cup
1. Add a little water to 1 cup of frozen corn kernels. Put in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Drain excess water.
3. Add one teaspoon of butter to the corn cup and mix well.
Give these healthy kid-friendly recipes a shot. Don’t forget – happy kids make for happy parents, too!
