Side – Fresh Family Food

Fresh and easy guacamole

June 26, 2015July 9, 2015 Sonya Quick

Give your child the gift of healthy avocados by making some super fast guacamole.

Now spice-loving, Mexican-food-purists might get upset. This guacamole contains no spice. Not one little bit. My little boy is pretty sensitive to spicy food and it makes it easy on his whole system to avoid chili peppers.

Feel free to add diced fresh or roasted hatch chiles or jalapeños. You can make a separate chili-free batch just for your little ones or pile it on for spice-loving kids. Around here it’s easier to make just one big batch of guacamole and then add hot sauce on our individual plates.

If you’re worried about the calories in this green fruit, just check out this article talking about the health benefits of avocado.

Watermelon-pineapple pico de gallo

February 18, 2015July 9, 2015 Sonya Quick

While the northeast is doused in snow and ice, this pocket of the southwest has been showered in sunlight. Yes, 80-degree weather in the middle of February. Life ain’t bad.

And that means a respite from hearty soups, tummy-warming pasta and layered casseroles.

I’ve had the Pioneer Woman watermelon pico de gallo recipe saved for months. Just haven’t felt it was the right time to make it. Plus, I knew I wanted to modify it a bit to make it toddler-worthy (no peppers).

While this one is both child-safe without spice and it gives a taste of the islands, with the adding of some orange and pineapple.

Veggie fried quinoa

February 2, 2015July 9, 2015 Sonya Quick

For vegeterians, and meat-eaters alike, quinoa is a golden grain.

But most people are unsure of how to get the health benefits of quinoa while cooking something yummy.

My main favorite way of incorporating quinoa is as a substitute for rice. And what is the best rice dish on earth? Fried rice!