Healthy Party Food for Everyone
Dear Penelope,
All of my friends have been serving really healthy food at their kids’ birthdays, and now I feel like I have to as well. Candy is so easy though! Can you give me a recipe for something my kids will eat and my friends won’t judge?
Anne
San Francisco
Dear Anne-
Now I don’t know if your children have any food allergies, but since you didn’t mention any, I’ll assume the answer is no. I definitely understand your dilemma; it’s tough to get kids to eat healthy once they’ve developed a taste for candy (and what kid hasn’t?). At parties in particular, kids anticipate extra special treats in the form of candy. But there do exist equally delicious and much healthier alternatives to the Cavity Causer. Because of its sweet and tangy taste, the healthy food that I’ve found most likely to appeal to children is fruit. Remember, too, that kids love to play when it comes to eating. The more engaging you can make the process of eating a banana; the more they’ll want to. Then we just have to figure out how to make Brussels sprouts fun.
A favorite fruit trick of mine involves apples, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. I use Granny Smith apples because they’re pretty against the red hue of the berries. Slice the tops off of each apple (hold on to the tops though, for later), then scoop out the core and a little of the inside so you have a cup. Puree the berries until you have “berry soup,” then strain the liquid to keep out seeds. You can also add a bit of lemon juice to make the mixture more tart. Pour the “soup” into each apple and place the top back on each apple at a slight angle, so the beautiful purple-red color inside is visible. Group a few particularly beautiful berries next to the apple cup in a shallow bowl, and serve. Between the artful presentation, the delicious taste and the healthy food you’ve used, you’ll be a hit with guests of all ages at your kids' party. Bon appétit!
Enjoy Planning.
Penelope