Kitchen hack: Make children eat vegetables with a simple recipe

MANILA, Philippines — Whether she is single or married, first-timer or experienced, career/businesswoman or full-time homemaker, every mom wants her children to have a balanced and nutritious diet.

Part of this is feeding children with vegetables, which always becomes a struggle for some moms. It’s often a round of picky eating, a series of persuasion, and a bout of tantrums at the table.

But mommy, don’t fret! There are creative ways to make eating vegetables easy and enjoyable for your kids. Why not let kids join you at the kitchen so you can prepare ingredients and cook the dish together? While they’re having a good time, you can also teach them about the benefits of eating vegetables.

A simple recipe that could easily convince your children to love veggies is “Kare-Kareng Gulay.”Cook it with Mama Sita’s Kare-Kareng Gulay mix and get a taste of home-cooking that is perfect for everyday dining. Best of all, it’s kid-approved! Check the full recipe below:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cooking oil
• 1 pc eggplant, sliced diagonally
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 pc red onion, sliced
• 12 pcs sitaw, cut into 2-inch lengths
• 1/4 cup banana heart, sliced (optional)
• 1 cup water
• 4 pcs pechay, separate stems from leaves
• 1 pouch 30g Mama Sita’s Kare-Kareng Gulay Mix dissolved in:
• 1/2 cup water
• Bagoong (sautéed shrimp paste), to taste

Instructions

1. In a pan, heat cooking oil and fry eggplant. Set aside.
2. In a separate saucepan, heat cooking oil and sauté garlic and onion.
3. Add sitaw and banana heart. Stir for 30 seconds.
4. Add water then the pechay stems. Bring to a boil.
5. Pour the dissolved Mama Sita’s Kare-kareng Gulay Mix. Stir. Boil and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Add the pechay leaves. Stir and continue simmering until the sauce thickens.
7. Add the fried eggplant. Stir and simmer for 1 minute.
8. Serve with rice and bagoong.

Mommy-approved veggies

Appetizing to both eyes and palate, as well as promoting proper nutrition, Mama Sita’s Kare-Kareng Gulay features three mommy-approved vegetables for the kiddies:

1. Eggplant

This familiar glossy purple vegetable is a staple in every Filipino’s kitchen. It has a sweet and subtle taste that is easily likeable for kids of all ages.

When it comes to nutritional content, the eggplant is also egg-citing! It is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin K, dietary fiber, folic acid and potassium, among others. These will help boost the immunity, aid in digestion, strengthen the bones, and improve brain functions of children.

2. Pechay

Because of its high-density nutrients, pechay (Chinese chard or bok choy) is an important green leafy vegetable that must be introduced to children early on.

Pechay contains phenols and other phytonutrients that is equivalent to over 70 antioxidants, which prevents cell damage. It is also high in beta-carotene, making it a good source of vitamin A, which promotes healthy eyesight for kids. It is also important in normal growth and development, and tissue and bone repair—benefits that are essential as your child ages!

3. Sitaw

Sitaw, or string beans, gives dishes a healthy crunch. Kids too will enjoy munching string beans when cooked with delicious sauces.

Make kids eat sitaw and they will benefit from its vitamins that prevent infections and promote collagen production. It is also high in dietary fibers and low in calories, making it a truly healthy vegetable choice.

There are creative ways to make eating vegetables easy and enjoyable for your kids. Released

With the Mama Sita’s, every mom is sure to cook the sauciest and tastiest “Kare-Kareng Gulay” for kids. It is made from real toasted peanuts and ground rice, capturing that yummy and delectable kare-kare sauce that kids will surely love even without the meat!