Recipes for Kids

By Food & Wine
Updated November 09, 2016
So perhaps your kids' tastes aren't totally refined; that doesn't mean they don't know a thing or two about good eatin'! Granted these are not the healthiest foods to feed your little ones but they are simple dishes we promise they will love eating and helping you make!
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Citrus Lollipops

Credit: © David Malosh
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At Quin Candy in Portland, Oregon, owner Jami Curl uses all-natural ingredients, including food coloring. To make these bright citrus lollipops, look for a natural food dye that is high-heat stable so that it maintains its color when added to the hot sugar. If you prefer to use artificial food coloring, start with 1 drop and then add gradually. Alternatively, you can skip the food coloring all together for a more muted color with flecks of fresh citrus zest.

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Barbecue Sloppy Joes

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In contrast to its mod white tables and neon-red lamps, Ketchup dishes up old-school diner food. Before serving this hearty sandwich, which is spiked with the restaurant's signature condiment, chef Christopher Tunnell ran it by his mom. "When she tasted it, she was proud," he says.

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Perfect Pizza Margherita

Credit: James Baigrie
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Letting the dough rest in the refrigerator overnight, Grace Parisi found, results in a chewy crust with a slight tang. She's let hers sit for up to three days, which adds even more texture and complexity.

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Corn Dogs with Krab Relish

Credit: John Kernick
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Chef Tim Maslow coats hot dogs in a fresh corn batter and fries them, then tops them with a playful relish made with imitation crab, pickle and yellow mustard.

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Fresh Tomato Spaghetti

Credit: © Scott Hocker
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Because this dish requires raw tomatoes, use the freshest, ripest tomatoes you can find. A summer farmers' market would be an ideal source.

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Thrice-Cooked Fries

Credit: MATTHEW ARMENDARIZ
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These fries have a cult following at The Breslin. Boiling makes the potatoes tender; double-frying makes them insanely crispy.

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Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly Cups

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Use a fairly bitter dark chocolate to balance out the sweet, creamy peanut butter ganache filling and the tangy raspberry jam.

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Stovetop Mac and Cheese

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This clever, quick and easy mac and cheese recipe eliminates the baking time, as well as the need for a white sauce.

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Hello Kitty Hot Dogs

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Daniel Wright tops these inspired hot dogs with wasabi mayo and a ponzu-spiked cabbage and carrot slaw. Cutting a cross pattern into the ends of the dogs helps them get crispy.

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Hot Dog Melts

Wolfgang Puck of Spago may be the ultimate L.A. chef, but he grew up in Vienna, and the food there is one of his touchstones. These sausages, called Wiener Wurstchen, are a favorite from his childhood. He splits the dogs, fills them with cheese and wraps them in bacon. Once they've been roasted, he serves them on a bun with a spicy horseradish mustard. Although they may seem over the top, they're irresistible.

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Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Mustard

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This chunky mashed-potato dish is packed with tangy mustard, fresh herbs and thick-cut bacon.

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