Kid Cuisine

When it’s not a French fry and your children beg for seconds, you know you’re onto something

By KATHERINE PETTIT  »  Recipes by JAN PINNINGTON  

Photos CARTER WADE

Jan Pinnington is on a mission to help children learn to love eating a more healthy diet.  The task is large, but with 180 instructors across the U.S. spreading the story, it just may happen.  The recipes are easy, and fun to create.  Freshness is key, but this is no rabbit food.  It’s commonsense, creative cooking and kids love it.  We watched them devour the results of their cooking.  They were smiling.  It was a beautiful thing to see. 

Pizza Spiral Sandwiches

Adult Assistance Recipe

Makes 1 Serving

Ingredients

One 8-inch whole-wheat flour tortilla

2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese

2 tablespoons prepared pizza sauce

10-12 leaves baby spinach

3 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella

Turkey Pepperoni slices (or veggie alternative or preservative-free salami)

Toothpicks

Directions

1. Spread cream cheese on tortilla.  Top with pizza sauce, spinach, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.

2. Microwave for 30 seconds on high until cheese is melted. Roll to form a log. 

3. Insert five toothpicks, (one every ¾ inch). 

4. Cut between toothpicks to make 6 spirals.  Can be served with pizza sauce for dipping on the side.

Key Lime Fruit Salad

Adult Assistance Recipe

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients

1 cup non-fat, key lime flavored yogurt

2 Tbs honey

1 tsp lime juice

1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (or canned mini pineapple packed in juice)

1 cup watermelon balls or chunks 

1 cup green or red seedless grapes

1 small banana, sliced (or any 4 cups of mixed, cut, fresh fruit)

Directions

1. If using canned pineapple, separate the pineapple from the juice, reserving the juice. 

2. Wash and cut fruit into bite-sized pieces.  Combine the fruit in a medium-sized bowl. 

3. Mix together reserved pineapple juice (if using), yogurt, honey, and lime juice. Drizzle over fruit and mix to coat. Serve immediately.

Steak and Veggie Kebabs

Adult Assistance Recipe

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients

20 ounces lean sirloin steak, cubed (or chicken breast, if preferred) 

Fresh veggies cut into bite-sized pieces (such as mushrooms, onions, and red peppers)

Wooden skewers

Marinade

1/8 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce

¼ to ½ tsp. dried thyme

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

¼ cup lime juice (or juice from one lime)

Directions

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for approximately 5 minutes.

2. Cut meat into 1” cubes and thread 3 or 4 pieces onto skewers alternating with 3 or 4 vegetable pieces.

3. Whisk all other ingredients together in a big bowl. 

4. Place your meat skewers in a large Ziploc bag or a rectangular baking dish and pour the marinade in.  Ensure the meat is covered in the marinade and turn occasionally.

5. When ready to cook, grill on an outdoor BBQ or inside on a George Foreman style grill (or electric griddle), turning occasionally until done and no longer pink.

Fruity Nut Salad

Adult Assistance Recipe

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients

4 cups salad greens of your choice 

1 cup chopped vegetables (such as peppers, green beans, broccoli, cucumber) 

1 small apple, cubed with skin on

Lemon juice

2 tablespoons dried cranberries 

2 tablespoons chopped nuts, any kind

½ cubed mild cheddar cheese

Light Raspberry Walnut Dressing

Directions

1. Place mixed salad greens in a large bowl.  Add a layer of mixed chopped vegetables, placing veggies near the edge of your bowl to show more color.  

2. Sprinkle lemon juice on apple cubes and place on vegetables and lettuce.  Top the salad with cranberries, cheese and nuts.  

3. Serve with Light Raspberry Walnut Dressing or your favorite all-natural dressing placed on the side.

Raspberry Lime Fizz

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients

2 cups 100% cranberry-raspberry juice

4 cups seltzer water

1 cup ice cubes

1 lime, washed

1 lemon, washed

4-6 strawberries, washed and sliced

Directions

1. Place ice in pitcher. Add juice and seltzer water.

2. Squeeze juice of ½ lime into juice mixture.

3. Slice remaining lime and whole lemon into thin slices and add to juice.

4. Add sliced strawberries to juice. Gently stir to combine.

About Healthy Hands Cooking

First and foremost, Healthy Hands Cooking is focused on reducing childhood obesity by empowering kids with nutrition information and hands-on cooking classes using whole foods.  All classes are taught by independent and certified cooking instructors who have gone through a rigorous online training process, including food handling safety and federal criminal/sex offender background checks.  Many of the 180 instructor across the U.S. are moms who like to cook. Learn more at healthyhandscooking.com.

Awards and Shoutouts

» Awarded Top 25 new business concepts in a national competition held by Wells Fargo in 2014. 

» Nominated for business of the year by South Carolina's Small Business Development Center. 

» Featured in the national Healthy Cooking Magazine by Taste of Home Dec/Jan 2013-14. 

» Featured on Forbes Living TV by host Forbes Riley in 2014 with national airings in 2015.