You might be a parent if you have battled with your child about eating their broccoli. It may be cliché, but most kids hate this green cruciferous vegetable. As a parent, there’s only one thing to do: Learn how to dress up broccoli to please your picky eater.
Before we dive right in, there are a few things you need to know about broccoli. Why are parents so adamant that their kids eat it? According to The World’s Healthiest Foods, broccoli is an all-star vegetable because of its fiber content, rich levels of vitamins A and K needed to support vitamin D metabolism and prevent deficiency and its detoxifying ability that comes from a specific combination of phytonutrients.
For kids and for adults, broccoli is kind of a big deal. Here are 12 creative ways to serve this overlooked veggie and make it a family favorite.
1. Cakes
Not that kind of cake, but just as appetizing: Hide broccoli in sweet potato cakes, and serve with sour cream on the side.
2. Casserole
A broccoli, cheese and brown rice casserole is deceptively healthy and arguably delicious.
3. Cheese
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This may seem like a no-brainer, but kids are suckers for broccoli with cheese. If you haven’t tried this popular side dish yet, add it to the top of your list.
4. Dip
Image: Pixabay
Broccoli and cheese will never steer you wrong. Watch your kids devour this antioxidant-rich appetizer as a pre-dinner dip.
5. Fried
Image: Pixabay
Clearly not the healthiest broccoli choice, but I’d still call it a win in my book.
6. Medley
Image: Pixabay
Cook up broccoli with your kids’ favorite green vegetable, like peas or green beans, and see if they call your bluff.
7. Pizza
Image: Mark H. Anbinder/Flickr
Adding nutritious broccoli to pizza will balance things out when your kids demand pizza for dinner for the fifth night in a row.
8. Pureed
Image: Chris Yarzab/Flickr
Perfect for the pickiest eater. Puree broccoli, and use it to create a brand-new dish — “green” mashed potatoes.
9. Ramen
Image: Pixabay
Did you ever think you would encourage your kids to eat packaged ramen? Cook it up with chicken and broccoli, and everybody wins.
10. Roasted
Image: meg/Flickr
Roasted broccoli with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt and black pepper will turn your child into a miniature foodie.
11. Soup
This is a broccoli rule to remember: The only thing better than broccoli and cheese is broccoli and cheese soup.
12. Stir-fry
Where would a stir-fry be without broccoli’s crunch? This chicken and broccoli stir-fry over quinoa is healthy, tasty and easy to make.
More broccoli recipes
Broccoli-chicken macaroni and cheese
Make super-fast roasted broccoli rabe with chickpeas in 5 minutes flat (VIDEO)
Meatless Monday: Cheesy broccoli and cauliflower bake
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