Pesto is for Kids Too

Pesto might sound like it is for pasta lovers who love gourmet but kids really love its salty taste.   If you have kids that won't eat greens try sneaking some pesto into their diet either on pasta or in some eggs.  You can also try making pesto lasagna or pesto pizza, which my kid calls 'Green Pizza' 

So just what is pesto?  It is a sauce made out of fresh basil leaves, cheese (either Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino), pine nuts or walnuts, garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper. Recipes for it vary from cook to cook. The fun thing about pesto is deciding on the proportion with which you want to combine the ingredients. 

Pine nuts are actually the seeds produced by certain varieties of pine tree; they are found on the pine cones, where they are covered by a hard shell. However it is the olive oil that makes pesto so healthy. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is – freshly pressed from the fruit. You can't beat pesto in terms of nutrition.  The basil in it contains iron, calcium, Vitamin A, dietary fiber, magnesium, Vitamin A and calcium.

The flavenoids in Basil are antioxidants that protect human cells against disease and pollution. Basil also contain antibacterial agents that protect against bacteria so your child is less likely to pick up a bug at school. 

The garlic, also known has Russian penicillin is a potent source of antiviral and antibacterial agents. The cheese in pesto is also a high source of calcium so your kid can grow strong bones and teeth. 

If you really want to make it gourmet then you might want to try to add bacon, mushrooms and finely chopped shallots to the pesto recipe. Another great combination is to add cream cheese and broccoli to the pesto mix. If your kids like red tomato sauce it is also really easy to add tomatoes to a pesto pasta sauce so that they don't know that they are eating anything green at all!

You can also sneak that pesto into your kid's lunchbox.  Pesto and cream cheese sandwiches are delicious.  You can also mix it into an omelette for a different, yet tasty type of breakfast. If you are the ambitious type you can make your own pesto and even involve your kids in the entire exercise by growing basil plants. Your child can help you harvest the basil leaves and mash them with a mortar and pestle. 

Once picked you have to use basil immediately. Basil doesn’t keep well in the fridge. If you must refrigerate it, put the stems of fresh-picked basil in a glass of water, and cover with a plastic bag; it will keep for about a week Raw pine nuts should be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator where they will keep for up to one month.

In the freezer, pine nuts will keep for up to three months. Different types of Parmesan, Mozzarella and Romano cheeses can give your pesto a unique flavor. Don't be afraid to experiment with combinations to find the mix of cheeses that your kids will find irresistible.

Parenting Tips
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Eat Your Meals Together!

The family that eats their meals together stays together!  This is why it is so important to have a routine when it comes to mealtime. Studies show that kids who regularly eat at home with their families have a healthier diet, are less likely to be fat, are less likely to isolate or be depressed and get better marks in school. They are better socialized and simply feel more understood, loved and bonded with their parents. 

However these meals together are not just about eating. They are also about communication. Family meal time is a time to talk. It should be a round table that is a safe place for kids to express their opinions. 

If you eat your meals together you are also teaching your kid to be civilized and disciplined. You are teaching them how to have a dinner conversation.  You are also instilling in them the importance of maintaining a daily routine.  You are also teaching them responsibility if you help them set the table. 

Are you having trouble getting your kids into the idea of eating a meal with you?This can be a problem if they are used to eating in front of the television. Try posting a menu on a magnetic white board or writing it on a chalkboard. You can send your older kids an email. Kids love it when you create a sense of excitement about a meal. 

Some kids also love it if there is a little pomp and circumstance to the meal. You can have them make a simple centerpiece for the table or light some candles. You can also serve older children beverages in wine glasses to make them feel important. The more your child feels that you are taking him or her seriously the more devoted he or she will be to you in general.  Even the tiniest kid who is being served milk in a plastic wineglass will feel important. 

Yet another way to convince your kids to bond and communicate with you over dinner is to make certain nights into a ritual. For instance in my house we have a Spaghetti Saturday ('pusgetti' as my youngest son calls it.)  Kids like the idea of routine and consistency. You should avoid letting your kids eat by themselves or with the family in front of the television.  For one thing this does not promote conversations. For another it promotes this kind of mindless eating and snacking in front of the television. This is a habit that could extend into your child's adult years and cause psychological problems. 

The way to start conversations with your kids is to keep things as light and fun as possible. Don't' pressure them to answer questions that you ask as that is all they do all day in school – answer questions. Telling jokes is a good idea as it helps loosen up the atmosphere. Basically be as charming as you normally would be at any adult dinner party and you will get great results because your child will feel so loved and respected!

Parenting Tips
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