Educate your child's palate with kid-friendly French foods.
French food for kids needn't mean French fries (which are really Belgian, anyway), and it needn't mean fancy or fussy, either. French food can be casual, accessible and kid-friendly. After all, children in France need to eat, too! French food generally relies on familiar fresh ingredients and herbs for its flavors, and it's rarely too spicy for children's palates.
Pain au Chocolat
Pain au chocolat is a beloved French bakery item consisting simply of croissant dough wrapped around a stick or two of chocolate. French children eat it after school as a snack; it is doubtful that American children would turn down a similar treat.
Quiche
A quiche is basically a savory egg pie. You can vary the fillings according to taste to include ham or bacon, leeks, herbs, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cheese and just about anything else that appeals to you and your child. An extra bonus is that you can serve it warm or cold, so you can put a slice into a school lunch bag or take some on a picnic to the park.
French Omelet
French omelets differ from American versions in that they are thinner, creamier and usually skip the stuffings, save for a sprinkling of herbs and perhaps a touch of cheese. Less complicated than a quiche, omelets are a good light lunch fare. For younger kids, slice it into easily manageable strips before serving.
Croque Monsieur
A croque monsieur is the French term for what Americans recognize as a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Some versions are open-face, and some are finished with white sauce (or bechamel) or dipped in an egg batter, but in this case, don't feel bound by tradition. Use high-quality ham, grated gruyere or other Swiss-style cheese and French bread if you can. Add a touch of mustard if your child won't object.
Crepes
Crepes may look daunting but they are surprisingly easy for the home cook to prepare. And they can be stuffed with both sweet and savory fillings or even eaten plain. For the sweet version, try them with butter and jam, or chopped fresh fruit in season---strawberries, peaches and bananas are especially good; dust with powdered sugar if desired. Or for a really French treat, wrap a crepe around a few spoonfuls of hazelnut spread. For savory crepes consider mushrooms, chicken, ham, broccoli and cheese, for starters. You needn't let anything but your imagination limit the options.
Tags: French food, your child, broccoli cheese, needn mean, slice into
