By Kristin Cosgrove
I am passionate about teaching my children how to make good choices for their happiness and well being and this definitely includes guiding them towards a healthy and whole food way of eating. I love to see them in the kitchen experimenting with different foods, being curious about how things taste and taking pride in the dishes they create. In my experience as a mum and as a teacher, kids learn best when they can get their hands dirty and have a go for themselves.
It is for this reason, I have recently written and published a cook book for kids!
Mamacino: Kids in the Kitchen is an inspirational guide for families who are keen to give a whole foods diet a go. I have included over fifteen recipes that are mostly gluten and dairy free and are simple and no fuss. I use easy to find ingredients – mostly things you probably already have in your own pantry. I have included beautiful coloured photographs of each dish for added inspiration.
The recipes in Mamacino: Kids in the Kitchen are truly our tried and tested family favourites. This is the food my family loves and I hope yours will too.
Go Green Spinach Pesto Recipe
Go Green Spinach Pesto is one of the most popular recipes for kids in my book because it’s just so versatile. I have used spinach and cashews but you can use basil and pine nuts or rocket and walnuts, whatever you have available. Stir through spaghetti, spread on a salad sandwich or use as a dip for crackers or veggie sticks. Go Green Spinach Pesto is a winner!
Ingredients:
About three handfuls of washed baby spinach leaves
1 clove of garlic crushed
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
150g cashews
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
What to do:
Put all of the ingredients except the olive oil into your food processor and chop finely.
Add the olive oil and process again until you reach your desired consistency (I like mine to be still a little bit chunky). Add more oil if you like it oozy.
Store in a clean jar in the fridge for up to a week.
Enjoy!
Kristin Cosgrove is a blogger, food stylist and photographer, mum of three and whole foods devotee. She is also the author of Mamacino: Kids in the Kitchen. To see all of Kristin’s articles and recipes, click here.