Win Easy Meals to Cook with Kids Cookbook

To read the full article go to JoyofKosher.com

Julie Negrin is a nutritionist and culinary instructor in New York City and the author of Easy Meals to Cook with Kids.  Julie ran the culinary program at the JCC in Manhattan for 5 years, transforming the fledgling culinary program into one of the most popular cooking programs in Manhattan. Julie has her own blog, My Kitchen Nutrition that can be found  on her website, www.julienegrin.com.

1.     Your book is for adults who want to cook with kids ages two years old and up.  What made you decide to write this cookbook?

The inspiration for my cookbook came from my students and their parents. In my cooking classes, I discovered that kids, even picky eaters, are much more receptive to new foods if they are involved in the meal preparation. While the parents of my students watched in awe as their kids tried brown rice, sautéed vegetables, beans, tofu, and salads, they encouraged me to write down my recipes for other families. 

2.     How do you decide that a recipe is kid friendly?

The first step to determining if a recipe is kid-friendly, is assessing the presentation. Most children prefer foods served separately and in familiar shapes like patties or dips. Consistency is important too. Many kids prefer puréed soups rather than chunky ones. Finger-foods, like pot-stickers or mini burgers, are an easier sell than new dishes that aren’t fun in some way.

I’ll then review the flavor, since spiciness and strong flavors can be off-putting to kids. Spices are often adjustable – but it’s important to consider if the recipe is flexible enough to be modified. The flavor of a Cajun Quinoa Salad can be tweaked, however, it’d much harder to modify curry soup.

3.     You ran the cooking department for kids and adults at the JCC in Manhattan, what was the most rewarding experience during your tenure?

By far, my most rewarding experience while running the JCC in Manhattan program was watching my students transform into talented little chefs. Parents still contact me to tell me that my classes turned their kids into more adventurous eaters and that they are still cooking – often for the entire family!

For recipes and to WIN go to the original post on JoyofKosher and in the comments, tell us how you get your kids in the kitchen or comment about the article.