Kids Cuisine

As I sat down to write this article this week, my daughter curled up in the chair next to me and asked what I was doing. When I told her, she asked if I was going to write about the “snackie course” for Thanksgiving or the “dessert course.” Of course, her words made me smile and laugh in amazement as I asked her to explain further. So here today I give you Abigail’s ideas for the perfect Thanksgiving Day.

First, there needs to be a “snackie course.” There should be something to eat in the afternoon before the big turkey dinner, so that guests don’t get too hungry and end up in the kitchen snitching off of all the platters for dinner. Abigail’s choice for the perfect afternoon snack was surprising to me, but she chose a bowl of nuts in the shell. Her explanation is that it is very fun to sit and crack nuts, and they are very healthy for her to eat. Indeed!

Nuts are a valuable source of antioxidants and omega-3’s, and there are few choices that could be more healthful. While your children and guests don’t need to be bored with the details of the healthfulness of nuts, many a conversation has been carried on over the nut bowl and the many minutes of cracking. My daughter is right, cracking nuts can be fun, especially when you make a game of it and see who can get the most nuts out in one piece.

When I inquired as to what we should have for the main course, Abigail had very little to say. She mentioned the turkey and mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, but she wanted to tell me what she thought was more important - her dessert course. I was very expertly informed by my seven-year-old daughter that Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without a slice of pumpkin pie. Of all the pies she could choose from, she chooses pumpkin every single time. It really is her favorite, and as a Mom, how could I not be thrilled about that!

Pumpkin is also a ready source of antioxidants, as well as beta-carotene and potassium. It’s one of nature’s wonder foods, and if it takes pie form to get my daughter to gobble it up, I’m all for that. In fact, she didn’t want to wait for Thanksgiving to have a slice of pumpkin pie, so we made one up, and well, there isn’t much left of it already.

Nuts, cranberries, turkey, pumpkin… I can’t complain about any of that. Who says holidays need to be filled with unhealthy eating? Take it from my daughter, it can be healthful and delicious all at the same time. Here’s our favorite recipe for pumpkin pie, with best wishes from our home to yours for a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can (15 oz.) Libby’s brand 100% pure pumpkin
• 1 can (12 fl. oz.) evaporated milk
• 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
• Whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

POUR into pie shell.

BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.