Salad Pops

Sometimes a simple change in presentation can mean the difference between a child trying a food or not. And really that is our goal, yes we want them to like and eat healthy foods but if they simply try it you’re halfway there. They may not like it, they may not like it right away, they may not like it on Tuesdays or when their socks are green. Yet the more they try healthy foods the more they will learn about accepting and letting things into their world that are different or unusual to them.  I love this recipe because it’s basically a deconstructed salad but in a way that can be fun and interesting to children.

Salad Pops with Poppy Seed Dip

Ingredients:

Romaine Lettuce Leaves, Spinach or Kale

Tomatoes

Carrots

Radishes

Cauliflower

Broccoli

1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt

1 tsp Poppy Seeds (usually found in the spices and baking aisle)

1 tsp Orange Juice

1/4 cup Carrot Purée

Using bamboo skewers or paper straw turn your vegetables into veggie pops.  Hard veggies like radishes and carrots work great for cutting into shapes with small cookie cutters.  Some other great foods to include are cucumbers, orange segments, cherry or grape tomatoes, cheese, celery – really almost anything you would add to a salad! For the dressing combine the yogurt, poppy seeds, juice and carrot purée in a small bowl.  Whisk until smooth.  Serve the salad pops and dip together and don’t forget to let your little one know…”hey you just tried salad!” I bet they will be feel proud.