Menu

Rainbow Explorer Sticks with Avocado-Yogurt Dip

Kids' Lunches For Kids Snacks for Kids 60 min Easy 13 wyświetleń ~17.12 PLN - (0)
Rate:
(0)

Description

This is not just an ordinary lunch; it's a culinary adventure designed for little hands learning independence! 'Rainbow Explorer Sticks' is a set of healthy, baked vegetable fries made from sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini, which delight with their colors and are perfect for grabbing. They are accompanied by tender, juicy turkey meatballs that provide valuable protein. The dish is complemented by a velvety green dip made from avocado and natural yogurt, which not only tastes wonderful but also encourages hand-eye coordination through the fun of dipping. The meal has been crafted to provide a balanced dish rich in vitamins (A, C, B group), fiber, and healthy fats while minimizing mess. It's the perfect way to support a child's motor development in a positive atmosphere and build healthy eating habits from an early age.

Składniki (13)

Servings:
2
  • Sweet potato 200 g
  • Carrot 1.3 szt.
  • Zucchini 0.6 szt.
  • Ground turkey 200 g
  • Egg 1 szt.
  • Breadcrumbs or semolina 2 łyżki
  • Olive oil 15 ml
  • Avocado 0.4 szt.
  • Thick natural yogurt 60 g
  • Lemon juice 5 ml
  • 🌿 Przyprawy
  • Sweet paprika powder 0.5 łyżeczka
  • ✨ Opcjonalne
  • Salt 0.0 szczypt
  • Nasiona sezamu 0.2 łyżek
💰 Szacowany koszt dania: ~17.12 PLN (8.56 PLN/porcję)

💡 Kliknij na składnik aby oznaczyć jako użyty

Preparation steps

Preparation of vegetable sticks

1

Start by preparing the oven. Set it to 180°C with the convection function (or 200°C in top-bottom mode). Prepare a large baking tray and line it with baking paper. Wash all the vegetables thoroughly under running water. Peel the sweet potato and carrot using a peeler. Cut off the tough ends. You don't need to peel the zucchini, especially if it has young, thin skin.

Ingredients: Sweet potato, Carrot, Zucchini
Lining the baking tray with parchment paper is key – this prevents the vegetables from sticking and makes cleaning up much easier. Make sure the oven is fully preheated before placing the tray inside, which will ensure even baking.
2

Cut the vegetables into sticks. First, cut each vegetable crosswise into shorter pieces, about 5-7 cm long. Then, cut each piece into thick slices (about 1 cm thick), and finally, cut each slice into sticks about 1 cm wide. Try to make all the sticks of similar thickness - this way they will bake at the same time. Transfer the finished sticks to a large bowl.

Ingredients: Sweet potato, Carrot, Zucchini
The ideal size for the sticks is one that a small child can easily grasp with their whole hand, with a piece sticking out from their clenched fist. Do not cut the vegetables too thin, as they may become too dry and hard after baking.
3

Add olive oil and a pinch of sweet paprika to the bowl with vegetables. Now for the most enjoyable part: gently but thoroughly mix everything with your hands, so that each piece is evenly coated with a thin layer of oil and seasoning. If you like, you can now sprinkle the vegetables with optional sesame seeds and mix again.

Ingredients: Olive oil, Sweet paprika powder, Nasiona sezamu
Mixing by hand is the most effective method. It's also a great opportunity to involve an older child in helping in the kitchen! Alternatively, you can seal the vegetables with oil in a large ziplock bag and shake it vigorously.

Preparation of chicken meatballs

4

In a second, smaller bowl, place the ground turkey. Add the egg, breadcrumbs (or semolina), and, if using, an optional pinch of salt. Knead the mixture with your hand for about 2-3 minutes until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture becomes uniform and slightly sticky.

Ingredients: Ground turkey, Egg, Breadcrumbs or semolina, Salt
Do not knead the mixture too long, so the meatballs do not become tough. Just combine the ingredients. To make the meatballs even juicier and more tender, you can add a tablespoon of natural yogurt or a grated small apple to the mixture.
5

Wet your hands with cold water. Take small portions of the meat mixture, about the size of a walnut (approximately 15-20 grams), and roll them between your hands to form neat, smooth balls. Try to ensure that all the meatballs are of a similar size, which will ensure even baking.

Ingredients: Ground turkey
Moistening your hands with water is a key trick – it prevents raw meat from sticking and makes shaping quick and hassle-free. Adjust the size of the meatballs according to the child's age – for the youngest, they should be small enough to fit easily in their mouth, but large enough to avoid choking hazards.

Baking

6

Arrange the prepared vegetable sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer, leaving some space between them. Next to them, place the formed meatballs, also keeping some distance. Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes.

Maintaining space between the pieces is very important! If the vegetables and meat are crowded, they will start to steam instead of roast and won't have an appetizing, slightly browned crust. Halfway through baking (after about 10-12 minutes), you can gently turn the meatballs and stir the sticks to ensure they brown evenly.

Preparing the dip

7

While the sticks and meatballs are baking, prepare the dip. Cut the ripe avocado in half and remove the pit. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a small bowl. Mash it thoroughly with a fork until it becomes a smooth, creamy paste. Add thick natural yogurt and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix everything vigorously until a uniform, smooth sauce of light green color is formed.

Ingredients: Avocado, Thick natural yogurt, Lemon juice
Use very ripe, soft avocado – it will have the best flavor and can be easily mashed without a blender. Lemon juice is important not only for flavor but also protects the avocado from oxidation and darkening.

Composition and serving

8

Remove the baking tray from the oven. Check if everything is ready: the sticks should be soft in the middle (poke one with a fork), and the meatballs should be fully cooked and slightly golden. Set everything on the tray aside for at least 5-10 minutes to cool down. It is VERY IMPORTANT to prevent the child from getting burned. Transfer a portion of warm (but not hot!) sticks and meatballs to the child's plate, and serve the dip in a small, stable bowl next to it.

Always check the temperature of the food on the inner side of your wrist before serving it to your child. A divided plate can be a great solution to separate individual elements and encourage your child to explore flavors.

Fun Fact

💡

Eating a 'rainbow', meaning meals made up of fruits and vegetables in various colors, is a simple way to provide the body with a wide range of vitamins and antioxidants. Each color corresponds to different valuable nutrients: orange (beta-carotene), green (folic acid and vitamin K), and red (lycopene).

Best for

Tips

🍽️ Serving

Serve the dish on a colorful, child-friendly plate, preferably with compartments. Arrange the sticks in the shape of a sun, tower, or house, and create a fun face with the meatballs and dip. Let the child eat with their hands – it's the best learning and fun! Show them how to dip the sticks in the dip, and they will surely be eager to imitate you.

🥡 Storage

Baked sticks and meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It is best to reheat them for a few minutes in the oven to regain some crispiness. The avocado dip is best fresh after preparation, as it darkens over time. It can be stored in the refrigerator until the next day by covering the surface with plastic wrap so that it touches the dip – this will limit air exposure.

📸 Ugotowane przez społeczność

Zaloguj się, aby dodać zdjęcie
Dodaj zdjęcie gotowej potrawy

Po zatwierdzeniu przez moderatora otrzymasz 10 punktów doświadczenia.

🍲

Nikt jeszcze nie dodał zdjęcia. Bądź pierwszy!

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment on this recipe!

Add a comment

You might also like

Recipe Categories

Kids' Lunches
Kids' Lunches in: For Kids

Meals for children are tasty dishes in appropriate portions - healthy and visually appealing. Meatballs in tomato sauce with pasta - a classic loved by kids. Chicken patties in a breading with carrots and potatoes. Pasta with cheese - simple and always effective. Tomato soup with letters or stars...

See all recipes in this category

Recipes for kids are tasty, healthy, and visually appealing dishes - for little picky eaters and food lovers. Colorful and fun dishes: animals made from vegetables, faces from food, and rainbow plates. Hidden vegetables: spinach in pancakes, carrots in sauce, and zucchini in batter. Energetic bre...

See all recipes in this category
Snacks for Kids
Snacks for Kids in: For Kids

Snacks for kids are healthy treats between meals - for school and the playground. Vegetables with hummus: carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers in colorful portions. Fruit skewers: strawberries, grapes, and pieces of banana on sticks. Mini sandwiches on crackers - perfect for little hands. Energy ...

See all recipes in this category
Reklama