Introducing Global Cuisines to Kids

Exposing your kids to flavours from across the globe can be an exciting and enriching experience. Food is a basic necessity and it plays a vital role when it comes to culture and identity. As parents, we are constantly looking at ways to introduce our little ones to varied cultures and traditions. Introducing global cuisines to kids to will help expand their taste buds. It will also teach them about the diversity of cultures and traditions that exist globally.

Here’s how to introduce Global Cuisines to Kids

Mexican Food

Flavourful, colourful, and easy to put together. Mexican food is simple, and can be customized to suit everyone’s palate. For your little one, you can start with tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. These are safe foods that are packed with flavour. They are also great for picky eaters as they can be filled with a variety of ingredients like cheese, beans, chicken, and vegetables — or only one or two of the above. While Mexican food is known for its bold and spicy flavours, guacamole is a perfect example of a dish that can can have the fire toned down and can be served as breakfast, snack, or dinner. It pairs well with several meals.

Kids can also have fun making their own tacos or quesadillas by choosing their own fillings.

Black Bean Quesadilla Recipe:

You need:

• 1 can of black beans
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
• Salt and pepper
• 4 tortillas
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Salsa (optional)

Preparation:

• Drain and rinse the black beans. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the black beans, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle cheese over one half of the tortilla.
• Spoon the black bean mixture on top of the cheese. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling and press down gently. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until cheese is melted and tortilla is crispy.

Japanese Food

Healthy and visual appealing is how Japanese food is described best. The bite-sized portions and colourful appearance will get kids to enjoy their mealtimes. Sushi, is a great way to introduce this cuisine to you kids. It can be made fun and interactive as they can help roll and assemble their own sushi rolls. Start with simple maki rolls filled with avocado or cucumber and work your way up to more complex rolls with fish and other ingredients. Another fun and healthy Japanese dish to make with kids is onigiri, a rice ball filled with savoury ingredients like grilled salmon or pickled vegetables.

Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

You need:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper
• Bamboo skewers

Preparation:

• Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
• Soak bamboo skewers in water for 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers. Brush the chicken skewers with the teriyaki sauce. Grill or broil the skewers for 5-7 minutes on each side, until fully cooked.

Indian Food

An amalgamation of spice, flavour, and aroma! You may think that Indian cuisine only has spicy stuff or bold flavours, however if you make the right choices you are in for a treat. Kids may enjoy butter chicken, a creamy tomato-based curry served with rice or naan. Another popular dish is samosas, crispy fried pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas. For a sweet treat, try making gulab jamun, soft and spongy milk-based balls soaked in a sweet syrup.

African Cuisine

Diverse and bold, African cuisine varies greatly from region to region. One popular dish is jollof rice, a savoury and flavourful rice dish that is often served with chicken or beef. Kids may also enjoy trying injera, a soft and spongy bread that is commonly eaten in Ethiopia and Eritrea. For a sweet treat, try making koeksisters, a South African pastry that is fried and coated in syrup.

Middle Eastern

A shawarma will have your kids sing praises! Middle Eastern cuisine is full of bold and fragrant flavours. Most kids enjoy hummus, the creamy dip made from chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil, or falafel, crispy fried balls made from ground chickpeas and spices. For a main course, try making shawarma, a delicious wrap filled with marinated chicken or beef, fresh vegetables, and a tangy yogurt sauce.

Korean Food

As far as global cuisines go, Korean food has gained popularity in recent years, and for good reason. It’s full of flavour and often involves interactive dishes like Korean barbecue. One easy dish to start with is bibimbap, a rice dish with a variety of toppings like vegetables, egg, and beef. Your kids will probably also love Korean fried chicken, which is crispy and delicious.