5 deconstructed meal ideas for kids

A macaroni salad bar

Macaroni salads not a hit in your household? It's probably because you don't offer them in a "self-service" format! In this version signed Cuisine futée parents in a hurry, all you have to do is place the different ingredients on the table to let the children help themselves. Pasta, peppers, tuna, eggs, ham, cheese, tomatoes, etc. With its homemade mayonnaise four times less fat and containing many more nutrients than regular store-bought mayonnaise, it's a he althy meal, quickly done well… as long as your little ones don't just eat the white pasta!

Tofu, quinoa and the whole shebang

Diced and baked tofu, quinoa, shredded carrots, sliced cabbage, thawed frozen edamame, thinly sliced onion, cilantrochopped and toasted sesame seeds; all arranged in several bowls in the center of the table. Here is an Asian-flavoured vegetarian meal proposed by

Today’s Parents and adapted by Châtelaine. Yum!

Fajitas, ouch, ouch, ouch

Fajitas are always a hit…as long as you let the kids make them themselves! To put on the table: tortillas, chicken and/or beef and/or pork and/or black beans, grated cheese, sliced iceberg lettuce, sliced red onions, sour cream or plain yogurt and salsa. To make your fajitas even better, we suggest this salsa from José DiStasio. Buen apetito!

Bento lunch

Bentos are lunch boxes from Japan. Their particularity They are divided into several compartments, in which the different ingredients are placed. Rice, tofu, meat, seafood or poison, pickled vegetables, sauces, etc. The possibilities are endless, you just have to let your creativity run wild… and the ingredients you have on hand! Bento or not, we are inspired by the concept for our deconstructed meals. To stock up on ideas, we suggest the book Les bentos de Valérie, which is full of really cute ideas.

Chicken Raisin Bean Salad Deconstructed

It's pretty rare that kids love salads. However, by offering them in a deconstructed version, they generally pass thetest. This one, offered by Ricardo, has everything to please the little ones: green and yellow beans, chicken and grapes. Rather than assembling all the ingredients as mentioned in the recipe, arrange them instead in different bowls in which the children can pick. Whether or not they drizzle their plate with dressing, they'll have a colorful and fruity nutritious meal. Success guaranteed!