Larb (aka Laab) is a Thai dish that can be modified nicely for young eaters: It’s not too spicy (unless you up the heat), it can be fast and easy to make, and it has a good profile for protein and minerals, thanks to turkey or pork and a line up of fresh herbs. The generous garlic is a good gut health helper, with antimicrobial action and ability to bust up biofilm. Traditionally, larb is a spicy ground pork dish crafted into an aromatic salad and served with toasted rice and sticky rice. If you get a chance, enjoy it at an authentic Thai restaurant soon.
For your home table, make this fast version inspired by the real thing. Even babies learning pincer grasp feeding can enjoy it, provided they are sitting well, and have skills settling in for chewing, swallowing, along with some baby teeth. Older kids can enjoy this with brown rice, sticky rice, congee, or in lettuce wraps. It’s shown here with congee and a side of roasted zucchini.
Ground Turkey Larb - Fast and Easy Kid Friendly
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A simple fast savory dish that can be enjoyed across ages. Use organic ingredients for best flavor and health.
Heat oil in a 12″ skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook on medium heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes; do not burn. Add turkey, smoked paprika, chili flakes( if hotter spice is desired, omit if not), salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until turkey is browned, about 2 minutes.
Stir in tamari and chicken broth, simmer for a minute. Then add scallions, mint, and cilantro. Cook until turkey is done, about 5 minutes.
Add lime juice and stir evenly throughout the skillet.
Serve with hearty lettuce leaves like butter lettuce or romaine for lettuce wraps, fresh cucumber on top, or over sticky rice, congee, or any side your kids like.
Make this as a creamsicle smoothie to enjoy right away, or freeze in freezer pop forms and enjoy on a hot day. Adjust to your desired of tartness or sweetness. Dairy free, soy free, and still creamier than can be. Full of healthy fats, without any added sugar. Use these BPA free popsicle molds and you’re good to go. For a cute baby size mold, try this one.
Honeydew Lime Creamsicle
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Creamy, nourishing, and lip-smacking lime-y. Give your kids a replenishing alternative to junky corn syrup popsicles or shakes. Tastes best with ripe organic ingredients. Don't use processed coconut milk from a carton like So Delicious - it's the wrong animal for this recipe. Be sure to use a good full fat organic canned coconut milk, unsweetened, and blend it to even consistency before using it, if necessary.
Creamy, nourishing, and lip-smacking lime-y. Give your kids a replenishing alternative to junky corn syrup popsicles or shakes. Tastes best with ripe organic ingredients. Don't use processed coconut milk from a carton like So Delicious - it's the wrong animal for this recipe. Be sure to use a good full fat organic canned coconut milk, unsweetened, and blend it to even consistency before using it, if necessary.
Place crushed ice in bottom of blender, followed by remaining ingredients in order shown above, except the water. Blend til creamy. If this is thicker than you'd like, add water as needed and blend again. Pour into popsicle forms and freeze, or serve immediately as a smoothie or creamy thick treat to eat with a spoon.
This recipe hails from PaleoPlan.com, one of my favorite spots on the web to find kid-friendly food that also satisfies my criteria for healthful. Sounds like odd bedfellows – grape tomatoes and cantaloupe? But it really sings when you use fresh, ripe, organic ingredients. I’ve added a couple of changes to this version, which is now popularized everywhere from Martha Stewart’s site to Food.com.
Avocado Cantaloupe Lime Salad
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Colorful, cheerful, with flavor to match. Make sure you have ingredients at peak of ripeness. Grape tomatoes of different varieties will make this even more colorful. Avocados are ripe when the "plug" where the stem attached pops away easily from the avocado, with a push of your finger tip or thumb. If it sticks, it's not ready; if it's gone, it may be over ripe and mushy.
Colorful, cheerful, with flavor to match. Make sure you have ingredients at peak of ripeness. Grape tomatoes of different varieties will make this even more colorful. Avocados are ripe when the "plug" where the stem attached pops away easily from the avocado, with a push of your finger tip or thumb. If it sticks, it's not ready; if it's gone, it may be over ripe and mushy.
In a large serving bowl, whisk oils, lime juice, honey, and sea salt. If helpful, heat these first, briefly and gently, on stove top in a small pot, so the honey is more liquid. Then transfer to large serving bowl to whisk.
Quarter the cantaloupe by cutting it in half lengthwise, then cutting again lengthwise. Run a knife between the rind and the flesh. Cut away the seeds and discard, then cut the fruit into chunks about half inch size.
Cut avocados lengthwise, remove nut, and remove rinds, by scooping out fruit or running a knife between fruit and rind. Avocado should be soft but not mushy. Cut into small chunks.
If you have a melon scoop, cut the cantaloupe in half, remove seeds, then scoop melon balls until only rind remains. Pour any juice sitting in the rind into the bowl with fruit.
Cut tomatoes in halves.
Toss all fruits together with sunflower seeds, mint, and whisked dressing in large serving bowl. Coat everything well. Keep chilled til serving.
With all the heavy food we love to eat at this time of year, not to mention sweets and homemade eggnog, I was craving a light but satisfying raw greens combo. This slaw is perfect – lighter than summertime slaw with raw cabbage or broccoli, but hearty with its creamy dressing, seeds, and dates. Also a colorful accompaniment for a holiday meal spread of roasts, fish, or chowders.
Kale Slaw with Honey Lime Dressing
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With all the heavy food we love to eat at this time of year, not to mention sweets and homemade eggnog, I was craving a light but satisfying raw greens combo. This slaw is perfect - lighter than summertime slaw with raw cabbage or broccoli, but hearty with its creamy dressing, seeds, and dates. Also a colorful accompaniment for a holiday meal spread of roasts, fish, or chowders.
Servings
Prep Time
6people
15minutes
Servings
Prep Time
6people
15minutes
Kale Slaw with Honey Lime Dressing
Print Recipe
With all the heavy food we love to eat at this time of year, not to mention sweets and homemade eggnog, I was craving a light but satisfying raw greens combo. This slaw is perfect - lighter than summertime slaw with raw cabbage or broccoli, but hearty with its creamy dressing, seeds, and dates. Also a colorful accompaniment for a holiday meal spread of roasts, fish, or chowders.
Servings
Prep Time
6people
15minutes
Servings
Prep Time
6people
15minutes
Ingredients
1small-medium bunchkaleany type chopped into small pieces
1small headlettucebutter lettuce, red lettuce, or green lettuce, chopped into small pieces or shredded
Wash, rinse, spin dry, and chop the greens, scallions, and cilantro. Toss together in a large serving bowl. Grate in the carrot, and add the minced celery, dates, and sunflower seeds Toss again.
You will need an immersion blender or small food processor to make this dressing easily. Otherwise, use a rubber or wire whisk or electric beaters with whisk attachments. Start with the egg, lime juice, and mustard and process or blend for 15 seconds. Next, add the oils (slowly while blending is ideal) and continue to process until it thickens into a mayonnaise-like texture. Add the honey and salt and finish blending. Adjust lime juice, honey or salt to your taste, blending thoroughly to creamy texture, then fold in the lime zest if you have it.
Pour dressing generously over the greens and toss all together into an evenly dressed slaw. Enjoy!
