Recipes for the family

Tinsley Chavers, M.S., a diabetes resource coordinator with USA Health, shares simple recipes to get your kids involved in the kitchen.

Invite your kids to help with the cooking process, and they’ll be more likely to take an interest in the food they’re eating. Your kids may not adopt what they help make as their new favorite food, but they’ll usually give it a try when they’ve seen it somewhere along the way before it hits their plate.

Chili Lime Chicken

Primary Ingredients:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thawed if frozen

Chicken marinade:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lime juice

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Directions:

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 tablespoons taco seasoning

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Pinch of salt and pepper

Extra virgin olive oil

Cilantro and lime for garnish

1. In an airtight bag, mix all marinade ingredients until combined. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to bag with marinade. Seal bag and shake until chicken is evenly coated. Let chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. While chicken is marinating, prepare the toppings and sauce.

3. When chicken is ready, heat olive oil in large pan over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade (using fork/tongs; discard remaining marinade) and cook for 5-7 minutes or until chicken is 165°F.

4. Remove from heat and serve with toppings above; leave chicken as bite-sized pieces or shred. Top with cilantro and lime.

Serving tips: This recipe is versatile. Choose a base (cooked brown rice, quinoa, tortilla chips or whole wheat tortilla) and two toppings you know your family will like, perhaps a third they haven’t tried before! Maybe you let your kids choose the base and use this recipe to clean out the refrigerator of halfused vegetables from other recipes.

Berry-Yogurt Popsicles

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh berries or 2 cups frozen 2 cups vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt

Directions:

1. Use a food processor, blender, or hand mash the berries to desired consistency.

2. Pour berries into large mixing bowl and add yogurt. Stir to combine, then spoon into popsicle mold and freeze until solid.