Kids Cuisine

Last week we made the horrible mistake of serving our kids vegetable kebabs fresh off the grill. While Mom and Dad were relishing the first charred vegetables of the season, the moans and groans from the pee-wee side of the table were nearly deafening. I was reminded several times over that my children really do prefer their vegetables raw, and if they must be cooked, those blackened pieces just weren’t going to cut it.

With grilling season in full swing, I realized we needed to come up with an alternative to our veggie love that both children and adults will love. Enter the foil packet. What was once a way to make camp food easier has become the way to entice my children into eating their vegetables. What child wouldn’t love to be served their own individual package that needs to be opened? Or serve up one giant foil packet at the dinner table — who wouldn’t be curious as to the contents? Vegetables cooked in a packet tend to retain their vibrant colors and avoid the char which turns many small mouths into rebels.

Today as I was looking for dinner inspiration I turned to the folks who would know best how to cook in a foil packet — the test kitchens over at Reynolds Kitchens. There I found what I was looking for, recipe after recipe for foil packet cooking. Many dishes are simply vegetables, many are meats or fish, and many are a delightful sounding combination. There are dozens of recipes simply beckoning, and I can’t wait to give almost every single one a try. I think our summer cooking just got a whole lot easier. The recipes are pretty straightforward, and for the most part, seem easily adaptable to individual tastes and preferences. Check out the complete grilling list at Reynolds Kitchens, you won’t be disappointed.