How to Have Kid-friendly Meals Adults Can Love, Too

If you are a parent of young children, you are intimately familiar with kid-friendly cuisine like grilled cheese and pancakes. Fortunately, these comfort foods can please both an adult palate and child's fancy. The key is to insist on quality right from the start.

Instead of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, try Annie's Organic Macaroni and Cheese, or even better, make your own. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on hearty wheat breads are not only healthier than on white bread but taste much better. And if your child does not think she is limited to traditional children's food, she won't be. It's never too early to start forming a sophisticated palate. You'll be amazed when your kindergartener asks for more goat cheese and bread.

Introduce different flavors and textures without insisting that your child eat everything on his plate. One of the best ways to get him to try something new is to offer a fork-full from your plate or have it be from something he has helped make.

Look for recipes that are easy to make and simple to include your kids in the preparation. Food safety and supervision are important, especially around hot surfaces and raw meat, so keep an eye on what your child is doing at all times.

Some examples of delicious kid-friendly meals that don't take a lot of time to make are:

- Oven-fried Chicken Tenders: Children can help measure and pour any ingredients, beat the egg, and even dreg the chicken. They'll love mixing the bread crumbs, and if you make your own, tearing the bread up is a fabulous job for a toddler. The chicken tenders will taste great to adults, and children will love eating with their hands.

- Cucumber & Salmon Sandwiches: Children can do any of the putting together steps, and letting them choose what is in their sandwich is a great way to encourage them to eat it later.

- Kebabs: Children can choose what they put on the kebabs, help wash the vegetables, and even drizzle olive oil or a sauce. Let them choose a dipping sauce, and help them combine spices for different flavors.

Don't forget, though your child won't starve if she refuses to eat a meal because it is "yucky," if you can engage her in what is in front of her she might surprise you by eating it all. Get creative with your meals and you won't be limited to the same five things every week.