Guest Author - Cynthia Kilmartin
We eat with our eyes, and so do our kids. It is strange, but children are so much more likely to eat food they have made themselves also food that is pretty. And it is always great to to combine food with a creative activity. This is a good recipe to keep in mind over the next few months as the weather warms up and we start entertaining more. These fun food towers will keep kids busy and can give them something healthy to eat at a BBQ or any fun party with family and friends.
They do take a little bit of preparation but when you see your kids enjoying eating fruit and vegetables it is worth it.
You will need some clear plastic tube. I use some tubes we got a set of small toys in. The plastic tubes that hold a Barbie or action man are about the perfect size. Cut the tube or tubes into pieces approximately 4 inches in length. Wash them well. You will need one tube per child – or they can share one between two and take it in turns.
Offer the children a selection of fillings. They gradually fill the tube with the fillings of their choice making colourful food 'stripes'. Squash the fillings down well and gently slide off the tube. Depending on the age of the children you may need to help with this (or do it!).
Filling ideas
You can use anything you like for the fillings, remember these are just ideas, the possibilities are endless.
Starter
crumbled corn chips
cottage cheese
diced tomato
mashed avocado
sweet corn
grated cheddar cheese
top with chopped black olives
Main course
Mashed sweet potato
shredded chicken
grated zucchini
fried mushrooms
grated cheese
crunchy onions
Dessert
chocolate rice crispies
vanilla ice cream
chopped strawberries
chocolate rice crispies
vanilla ice cream
raspberries
top with chocolate sauce
More filling ideas
Savoury
Diced ham
diced tomato
corn chips
potato chips
diced cucumber
grated zucchini
shredded lettuce, salad greens
shredded spinach
grated carrot
sweet corn
cottage cheese
crunchy bacon
chopped black olives
pequillo peppers
mashed sweet potato
mushrooms
chopped bell peppers
Sweet
any breakfast cereal
chopped nuts
crumbled cookies
drained tinned fruit
chopped dried fruit
sultanas or raisins
mini chocolate buttons
chopped jelly
chopped cake
any firm pudding
Tips
- make sure you have some wet-ish filling to hold the dry ones together Not too wet of the towers will not stay together. For example ice cream works well but yoghurt may not work very well as it is too runny.
- This idea will work the same in a high-ball glass or clear plastic cups, but they do like knocking the towers down and mixing it all together! You can also make them 'upside down' in a clear plastic cup and carefully up end them – like a food sand castle.
- Don't be scared to use vegetables for example grated raw zucchini or raw shredded spinach, your kids will surprise you!
