As a mom of four, I find cooking to be such an amazing way to connect with my kids. And as they get older, I’ve realized that my little ones actually love to help me in the kitchen more and eventually the whole family ends up getting involved with the recipe! That’s why being in the kitchen together is such a fun way to bring families together—everyone can partake, get involved and reap the tasty benefits.

So grab your aprons, roll up your sleeves and get ready to try some of these family-friendly foodie ideas that will cultivate those magical moments with your family in the kitchen!

1. Look through cookbooks together or at recipes online and have your kids help you choose what they want to eat for dinners. 
This also encourages kids to find new meals to try. As a family, we aim to choose one or two new recipes to try a week. Not only does this allow them to sample new dishes and cuisines, but helps them feel like they have a say in the family’s “menu” for the week. This is also a pro tip for parents of picky eaters and a great way to introduce new foods in a dish they’re excited about.

2. Have your kids help you meal plan and make shopping lists. 
I ask my kids to write their own, which is a writing assignment in itself. Let your kids accompany you to the grocery store to look for any unfamiliar ingredients. If they are part of the process from start to finish, they’ll be much more inclined to try new foods.

3. Designate a day and let your kids help make something homemade that they can snack on all week after school.
I’ve found that if they help you cook or bake something, they are much more willing to eat their creations! These Apple Cinnamon Granola bars made with Juicy Juice are a recent favorite. The kids help me wrap them individually to have on-hand for lunchboxes and snacks.

4. Try a DIY dinner night.
Let each family member craft their own take on a meal. Some of our recent favorite meals have been taco bars, homemade pizza nights or even smoothie bowls for breakfast with toppings like granola and chocolate chips. Anything that you can ‘build or make your own’ so they can try new foods as toppings and, the best part, try everyone else’s!

5. My family loves a little friendly competition, so we like to turn mealtime and cooking into a game.
My 12 year-old really stepped up in the kitchen lately, so we did our own version of “Chopped” at home and got my husband and mother involved as judges. I need to step it up because his Soy Garlic Shrimp Sandwich with a Cilantro Radish Vinaigrette beat my Puff Pastry Lettuce cup with a Spicy Shrimp Slaw by one point! His love of food solidifies that all this time spent together as a family in the kitchen has spurred into something really special.

6. Try adding nutrient-dense sides, shakes, or formulas for days when all they’ll eat is mac-n-cheese.
Some days, it’s a real challenge to get kiddos to eat more than their favorite snacks. And that’s okay! Adding a formula like Kabrita’s Junior Nutrition Goat Milk Powder helps give you the peace of mind that they aren’t missing out on any vitamins or minerals. Goat Milk is especially easy to lean on since it’s nutrient-dense and has a mild taste for even the pickiest eaters!

 

And if (or when) there is a recipe or new food experiment that doesn’t turn out the way you expected? Don’t sweat it, just remember this: time in the kitchen is where memories are made. It’s where I remember spending my most precious moments with my mother and grandmother and currently…it’s where my family gathers, connects and decompresses. I know that my kids will always hold these experiences close in their hearts, no matter the outcome.

 

Mom and self-taught cook, Siri Daly is quickly leaving her mark on the entertainment-lifest‌yle landscape. She is the founder of Siriously Delicious, a popular food blog that chronicles real-life cooking and a former Food Contributor on the TODAY show where she still regularly appears as a guest chef for cooking segments. 

As the weather warms up, we’re ready to dust off the barbecue and live on a steady diet of burgers, steaks, chicken and grilled veggies. Don’t forget about the sides, though! Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite side dishes that pair perfectly with grilled mains, from healthy salads to vegetable sides and keto-friendly options. Read on for a great collection of BBQ side dishes perfect for your next cookout.

Grilled Corn Avocado Tomato Salad

Oh, Sweet Basil

We love pairing grilled meats with something fresh and light, like this summery corn salad from Oh, Sweet Basil. Corn on the cob is lightly grilled, then paired with ripe tomatoes and avocados. Topped off with a zesty cilantro vinaigrette, your whole crew is going to love this one. Click here to get the recipe.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Gimme Some Grilling

Sweet potatoes aren’t just for Thanksgiving! Take a cue from Gimme Some Grilling and grill up sweet potato slices alongside your other dishes. To get the details on how it’s done, click here.

Vegetable Kebabs

Veggies Save the Day

Via Veggies Save the Day, this might just be the ultimate side for your summer barbecues—and it's hearty enough to be a main dish if you’re serving vegans or vegetarians. An herby olive oil coating gives the vegetables an extra dose of flavor. Get the recipe by clicking here.

Broccoli Slaw Salad

Wendy Polisi

Expand your salad horizons with this simple recipe from Wendy Polisi. Grilled chicken or burgers pair perfectly with crunchy, tangy broccoli slaw. To grab the recipe, click here.

Pineapple Salsa Fresca

Good Noms, Honey!

This pineapple salsa from Good Noms, Honey! is super versatile. Use it as a topping for tacos or as a dip with tortilla chips, or pair it with grilled chicken or pork—the sweet and savory flavors work together so well. Click here to get the recipe.

No-Mayo Potato Salad

My Modern Cookery

As much as we love traditional potato salad, it can be tricky to serve in the summer heat when there’s mayo involved. This mayo-free version from My Modern Cookery is just as delicious, with a tangy, herby dressing that pulls it all together. To get the recipe, click here.

Watermelon Berry Fruit Salad

Caitlin Cooking

Take your fruit salad to the next level with this recipe from Caitlin Cooking. Her version has feta cheese for a hint of saltiness, plus a light lemony vinaigrette to finish it off. Click here to see the recipe.

Texas Caviar

Dinner Then Dessert

Served as a side or a chip dip, this dish from Dinner Then Dessert is the perfect fresh accompaniment for grilled meats. Black-eyed peas and black beans are mixed with lots of summer veggies and spices—let it marinate for an hour or two for the best flavor. Click here to grab the recipe.

Pesto Pasta Salad

The Cookie Rookie

Everyone loves a pasta salad, especially when it’s as beautiful as this one from The Cookie Rookie. Mix in your favorite summer veggies, like radishes, tomatoes and corn. Get the recipe by clicking here.

Calabacitas

Isabel Eats

This tasty Mexican side dish from Isabel Eats pairs well with anything from grilled chicken to steak to pork. It’s a great way to make use of all those summer veggies, like zucchini, summer squash and corn. The light cheese sauce makes it a kid-favorite, too. To get the recipe, click here.

Classic Macaroni Salad

Kevin Is Cooking

This macaroni salad from Kevin Is Cooking is a classic for a reason—it goes great with all kinds of grilled main dishes and takes us right back to childhood barbecues in the backyard. Kevin’s version is lightened up with a Greek yogurt-based dressing. Click here to get the recipe.

Salsa Roja

This Is How I Cook

Homemade salsa is always a hit, and this fire-grilled red salsa from This Is How I Cook is no exception. Grilling the tomatoes brings out a ton of flavor, even if they’re not the ripest. To get all the details on how it’s done, click here.

Fresh Corn Fritters with Cheddar Cheese

Marilena’s Kitchen

Here’s a fun way to use up all that fresh summer corn, via Marilena’s Kitchen. Fritters are always a hit with the kids, and these have sharp cheddar cheese to make them even more irresistible. To get the recipe, click here.

—Susie Foresman

 

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If the winter chill has you dreaming about rosé for days, you can make those dreams come true without having to wait until summer. Now you can spice up your leafy greens with the new Trader Joe’s rosé wine salad dressing.

The new Trader Joe’s Organic Rosé Vinaigrette will have you ready for flip flops and beach days. According to Trader Joe’s, the new dressing is made with a blend of red wine and rosé wine vinegars, and is “light, tangy and slightly floral, with notes of herbs and garlic.” It also contains garlic, basil, oregano, agave syrup and organic sunflower oil.

photo: Courtesy of Trader Joe’s

The new vinaigrette is part of a trio of new flavors, including an organic Balsamic and Fig and a yummy-looking Toasted Sesame. The dressings are available at Trader Joe’s locations nationwide for $3.49 each.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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