Kid-approved veggie sides that the whole family will love

Name: Kid-approved veggie sides that the whole family will love
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 Kohlrabi; 1 tsp Whole dried Sichuan peppercorns; 1 ½ tbsp Neutral tasting oil; Salt to taste; 1 Head of broccoli; 1 Part* light soy sauce; 1 Part* Chinese black vinegar; 1 Part* toasted sesame oil

AuthorYun Zhang JohnCategoryPlant Based, VegetablesDifficultyBeginnerRating

Yields1 Serving

Prep Time5 minsCook Time5 minsTotal Time10 mins

Kid-approved veggie sides that the whole family will love

How to get kids…or anyone to eat more vegetables?

That is the elusive question. As a parent of young kids, I find it difficult to get nutritious, balanced meals that’s easy to make for me and easy for picky eaters to accept on the table day in, day out. So when I find something that ticks both of those boxes, I tend to go back to it again and again.

2 easy kid-approved veggie sides

I promise, these are 2 proven ways of getting cooked veggies into my kids. They are not so much recipes, but more like easy ideas to prepare new and/or familiar veggies that you can incorporate into your daily meals.

Stir fried Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is a root vegetable in the cruciferous family. It’s packed with fiber, vitamin C, potassium and even some protein. It has the sweetness of carrot and the texture of radishes. A super versatile ingredient, it can be eaten raw as a salad or cooked in stews and stir fries.

My favourite way to eat it is to thinly julienne the root into match sticks. This is a very important detail as the way it's cut helps break down the fibres and bring out the sweetness of the kohlrabi, no sugar needed! Then stir fry it some some Sichuan peppercorn scented oil, season to taste with some salt and the job is done. The Sichuan peppercorns provides a citrusy, floral fragrance that contrasts the natural sweetness of the Kohlrabi.

Broccoli in an Asian dressing

Another cruciferous vegetable that is packed with wholesome goodness. Available year round, this is definitely a super food. There’s of course a myriad of ways to enjoy broccoli, but if you’ve not tried the combination of light soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar and toasted sesame oil, then get on it!

The simple yet flavourful dressing will make this everyday vegetable more interesting. My son loves using the broccoli florets to mop up the sauce with every bite.

So if you are looking for ways of prepping vegetables that the whole family will love to eat, give these a go! Simple ideas that show cases all of goodness of these humble, wholesome foods.

For more kid-approved recipe ideas? Check out my fast, easy and healthy meals to feed the family!

You Will Need

Stir fried Kohlrabi

1 KohlrabiCut into thin match sticks

1 tsp Whole dried Sichuan peppercorns

1 ½ tbsp Neutral tasting oilie vegetable, canola

Salt to taste

Broccoli in an Asian dressing

1 Head of broccoli

1 Part* light soy sauce*adjust according to taste

1 Part* Chinese black vinegar*adjust according to taste

1 Part* toasted sesame oil*adjust according to taste

Instructions

Kohlrabi

Remove all the tough outer peel of the kohlrabi with a paring knife.

Cut the flesh in half and lay it down on the chopping board flat side down so it's stable. With a sharp knife, first thinly slice it, leaving the slices stacked closely together. Then run the knife across the stacked slices to make thin slivers.

Kid-Approved Veggie Sides | Yun's Family Table

In a wok over medium high heat, add oil and then the dried whole Sichuan peppercorns. Toss it around in the oil for a bit until you can smell the nutty fragrance…take it out before it burns.

Toss in the julienned kohlrabi Into the now fragrant oil and stir fry. Continuously move it around the wok so that every sliver can be cook evenly and not burn. Add salt to taste and stir fry to your preferred doneness.

Broccoli

Bring a pot of water to boil and add some salt. Add the broccoli and cook to your preferred doneness. Remove and drain out excess water.

In the serving bowl, mix the 3 seasonings over the cooked broccoli and toss to coat.

Ingredients

Stir fried Kohlrabi

1 KohlrabiCut into thin match sticks

1 tsp Whole dried Sichuan peppercorns

1 ½ tbsp Neutral tasting oilie vegetable, canola

Salt to taste

Broccoli in an Asian dressing

1 Head of broccoli

1 Part* light soy sauce*adjust according to taste

1 Part* Chinese black vinegar*adjust according to taste

1 Part* toasted sesame oil*adjust according to taste

Directions

Kohlrabi

Remove all the tough outer peel of the kohlrabi with a paring knife.

Kid-Approved Veggie Sides | Yun's Family Table

In a wok over medium high heat, add oil and then the dried whole Sichuan peppercorns. Toss it around in the oil for a bit until you can smell the nutty fragrance…take it out before it burns.

Broccoli

Bring a pot of water to boil and add some salt. Add the broccoli and cook to your preferred doneness. Remove and drain out excess water.

In the serving bowl, mix the 3 seasonings over the cooked broccoli and toss to coat.

Kid-approved veggie sides that the whole family will love

Ingredients Directions