10 easy vegetarian recipes to make with Dad

Fellow dads, for those of you who are finding it difficult to bond with your kids, you should try cooking with them! Here's 10 easy vegetarian recipes to make with your little one.

Stuffed potatoes

This is a super easy recipe that kids will relish. Daddy can boil a few potatoes in advance. Chop the potato in half, and scoop out the center. Daddy and toddler can help mash the potatoes together. The whole fun of kneading the potato is something kids enjoy thoroughly!

Add some grated cheese to the mashed potatoes. Sprinkle some salt and pepper, and put back the mixture into the scooped potato. Bake till golden brown. Dip in yogurt and eat.

Ingredients: 1 bag of baby potatoes and a bag of Parmesan cheese.

Rainbow salad

Kids love rainbows: staring at them, drawing them, so why not make one with them? Make this vibrant salad, which is a fun way for kids to eat their veggies. Dad can do all the chopping, while kids help out with organizing all the vegetables in the colours of the rainbow.

Ingredients: 1 bag of baby romaine (dark green and purple leaves), 1 bag of romaine lettuce, 1-box cherry tomatoes, 1 grated carrot, 1 yellow pepper sliced.

Frozen yogurt strawberry pops

Most kids love strawberries, so this one is going to be a sure hit with your littlies! Daddy, please wash and keep the strawberries ready. Pierce a lollipop stick into each strawberry.

Little ones will love dunking the strawberry into the yogurt. In case the strawberry falls out, just scoop it out back out with a spoon and bring it together. The next step is to sprinkle crushed animal crackers on the strawberries. Place these strawberries on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper, and keep in the freezer. These delicious bites will be over in minutes.

Ingredients: 1 box of strawberries, 1 bag of animal crackers, vanilla flavored Greek yogurt, 10 lollipop sticks, and wax paper

Rainbow fruit pops

This is totally a summer favorite. We know sugar and food colour is a strict no-no with kids. So that’s why we decided to make these fruit pops, with a medley of fruit held together with homemade lemonade. Little chefs can help Dad wash all the fruits, after which he can chop them. We’re thinking fruits like strawberries, apricot, nectarine, kiwi, blueberries, and grapes.

While your little one stares at all the fruits, prepare some lemonade and keep aside. Bring out the Popsicle moulds and layer the fruits inside. A great way for kids to learn colour sorting too. Top with lemonade and place in the freezer for two hours. Grab a Popsicle each while heading out to the park with your little one. For a change, your kid will be relishing fruit.

Ingredients: Mixed fruits like apricot, blueberries, strawberries, nectarine, kiwi and grapes, Popsicle moulds and lemonade

Grilled cheese sandwich with cucumber and dill

This is an easy one and great to pack before heading out to a picnic. Daddy can slice the cucumber into thin slices. Place in a bowl, add some vinegar, dill, water and sugar and mix. Hand your little chef a mixing spoon and toss all the ingredients together.

Bring out the sandwich slices and spread on some of that mixture. Ask your little ones to sprinkle some cheese. Cover the sandwich and grill over medium heat until the cheese melts and bread starts browning. Slice and serve.

Ingredients: 1 loaf of bread, cucumber, vinegar, dill, sugar, and grated cheese

Bean and Cheese Taco

Want to cook dinner for mommy? Daddy and toddler can get together to make this super tasty bean and cheese Taco. Daddy, please bring out a can of black beans and empty it in a bowl. Keep some salsa, shredded cheese and tortillas aside to complete the recipe.

Ask your little one to assist in mashing the black beans. Add the salsa and make the mixture smooth. Spread the mixture on the tortillas. Little ones will love using their hands to spread. Daddy can assist in the grand finale by sprinkling the cheese. Microwave for a few minutes and serve. Mommy is in for a super treat!

Ingredients: 1-pack tortillas, 1 can of black beans, shredded cheese

Chocolate Banana Sundae

It is no surprise why this chocolate banana sundae is a big hit with littlies. It has all the right ingredients, you know. Keep the bowls of vanilla ice cream ready. Top with chopped bananas, chocolate sauce and shredded coconut. Your little one will perhaps bite into the ingredients even before the sundae is ready, but who said a little indulgence isn’t allowed.

Ingredients: 2 small bananas, chocolate sauce, ¼ cup shredded coconut and vanilla ice cream

Tomato Alphabet Soup

This warm soup is healthy, delicious and something any kid will enjoy. Takes about half hour to make, and is a meal in itself. Daddies can prepare the soup before hand. Here’s how: add butter to a skillet, and sauté the celery, onion and garlic. Once golden brown, add the can of chopped tomatoes. Let it cook, before you add some vegetable broth. Reduce the heat, simmer for a few minutes and add the alphabet pasta.

How kids can help? Perhaps let them sing in the letters of the alphabet as they drop each letter in. Or while eating, they can hunt for letters to eat.

Ingredients: 1 can chopped tomatoes, 1 cup chopped onions, 1 cup chopped carrot, 1 cup chopped celery, 1-cup vegetable broth, 2 cups cooked pasta, salt and pepper to taste.

Baked Tofu bites

Tofu is great for everyone. Not only a great source of protein, but also a source of calcium, iron, manganese, and omega-3 fatty acids. Here’s a tofu recipe, your kid and you can prepare in minutes. To begin with, cut a block of extra firm tofu in small pieces. Place it on paper towels to remove the moisture.

Making the marinade is the most fun part. Bring out a bowl and pour in the following: 2-3 cloves garlic crushed, one teaspoon sesame oil, ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey. Let your little one stir in all the ingredients. Once done, add the cubes of tofu and marinate for half hour.

Bake in a preheated oven (400 degrees) for 20 minutes, until brown. Place toothpicks on it while serving these yummy bites

Ingredients: 1 packet of firm tofu, sesame oil, honey, sesame oil, and garlic.

Cheese corn on the cob

Kids love just about anything on a stick. Popsicles, ice cream bars et al. So here’s something you can make in a jiffy, with very few ingredients.

Daddies can boil the corn in advance and let it cool. Hand over half a piece of corn to your little one and let him roll it in butter, and sprinkle cheese on it. It’s a fun experience and makes for a tasty treat.

Written by

Preeti Khicha

eatingcooking with dad