When considering the menu for Thanksgiving dinner many cooks find that a number of dishes that will be on the table simply do not appeal to kids. While most kids will happily eat roast turkey and mashed potatoes (without garlic, sour cream or other add-ins) rolls and dessert there are many side dishes they just will not try. It can be frustrating to try and streamline your usual side dishes for a younger palate but there is help! If you are hoping to appeal to the younger guests at your Thanksgiving table this year try these traditional Thanksgiving side dishes turned kid friendly.
Candied Yams-Traditional yams (or sweet potatoes depending on what’s available in your area) can be loaded with spices that do not appeal to kids. In addition consider serving this dish in the consistency of regular mashed potatoes younger kids like a smooth texture. Overall focus on streamlining your yams or sweet potatoes to bring out the sweetness and you may have a new favorite with the kids. Also while marshmallows may not appeal to many adults’ kids love the idea of vegetables with marshmallows on type.
Ingredients:
1 can yams or 4 fresh yams or sweet potatoes
1/4 cup butter
1/2 bag miniature marshmallow (10 oz.)
1/2 cup apple or orange juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions for preparation:
Drain yams and discard liquid or peel and place in dish. Pour juice over yams. Sprinkle liberally with brown sugar. Dot with butter.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees until liquid is bubbly. After cooking mash into desired consistency. Top with marshmallows and return to oven until marshmallows are lightly browned.
Serves 6.
Cranberry Fluff-this salad is an easy way to introduce kids to the taste of cranberry. The grown up version of this salad includes pineapple and coconut. These are not typically kid-friendly tastes and can be left out to appeal more to the kids at the table. Without pineapple and coconut most kids will love the fluffy texture of this salad and gobble it down.
Ingredients:
1 can of cranberry whole berry sauce
8 ounce package miniature marshmallows
8 ounce pkg lite or fat free cream cheese
1-2 sliced bananas
1 8-ounce tub cool whip topping
Instructions for preparation:
Cream together the cream cheese, cool whip. Stir in berries and marshmallows.
Just before serving stir in the sliced banana.
Makes 8-10 servings
Cheesy Broccoli Casserole-Believe it or not many moms report that their kids will eat broccoli if it’s covered with cheese! This recipe provides the nutrition of broccoli with the yum factor of cheese! The problem is that the grown up version of this casserole calls for lots of onion, pepper and a strong cheddar. None of these are particularly kid-friendly. So go ahead and make this for your kids just leave out the onion, cut down on the pepper and choose milder cheddar for the topping and you should have a winner.
Ingredients:
2 10-ounce packages frozen cut broccoli
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup milk
1 3-ounce package cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheese (mild cheddar is recommended for kids)
1 cup soft bread crumbs tossed with 2 tablespoons melted margarine
Instructions for preparation:
Cook broccoli according to the package directions; drain. Put broccoli in a buttered 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.
In a medium saucepan, over low heat, melt the margarine or butter. Blend in the flour, salt and pepper. Add the milk, all at once, and mix well. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and bubbles. Reduce the heat to low and add the cream cheese; mix until smooth.
Pour the sauce over the vegetables and mix gently. Top with the shredded cheese and then sprinkle the bread crumbs on top.
