Let your kids taste the rainbow with these coloful (healthy!) snacks

IMAGE SOURCE: ELIZABETH STARK

I know what you’re thinking — rainbows are typically associated with the springtime. But with the holiday entertaining season upon us, I got to thinking about the extreme cracker quantities that lay in my daughters’ immediate future and figured a couple of fun, healthy snack ideas might be in order. And what better way to grab kids’ attention amid all those plates of cheese and crackers, seven-layer dips, olives, and cheese logs than with a couple of smart, simple, and certifiably healthy rainbow treats?

IMAGE SOURCE: ELIZABETH STARK

The rainbow vegetable tray above keeps snacking simple with a few kid-friendly steamed options, plus sweet cherry tomatoes and yellow bell peppers. Add on to the basic flavors with a favorite dip, hummus, or some wholesome nuts. The vibrant rainbow fruit tray is brimming with kid faves like grapes, strawberries, and kiwi and goes wonderfully with a simple yogurt dip, cheese, or a selection of seeds and nuts.

IMAGE SOURCE: ELIZABETH STARK

Now, note that for the fruit plate above I used lemons as my yellow element. My girls actually love lemons (is that weird?), but I also like the hint of acidity it lends the plate. Feel free to sub in pineapple or golden delicious apples if those are more appealing.
Rainbow Vegetable Tray

IMAGE SOURCE: ELIZABETH STARK

Serves: 4 – 6 hungry kids

Prep time: 20 minutes



Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup cauliflower florets 
• 3/4 cup halved baby carrots 
• 3/4 cup broccoli florets 
• 2 medium beets, tops trimmed to 1/2-inch, and cut into sixths 
• 1 tablespoon Champagne or white wine vinegar 
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste 
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
• 3/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes 
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into spears 

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan with a lid, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. First, add the cauliflower florets, cover and steam for 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove cauliflower to a small bowl. Next, steam broccoli, covered, in the same liquid for 2 minutes and remove to a separate small bowl. Repeat for the carrots, and finish with the beets, keeping each vegetable separated as you go. 
2. Whisk together the vinegar and sea salt, and then add the extra virgin olive oil. Drizzle part of the mixture over each bowl of steamed vegetables and toss. 
3. To arrange in a rainbow formation, begin with the cherry tomatoes. Set cherry tomatoes in a wide arc along the outer edge of the plate or platter. Next, add a stripe of carrot halves. Follow the carrots with a stripe each of yellow pepper spears and broccoli florets. Neatly mound the beets in the center. Finally, arrange the cauliflower “clouds.” Drizzle any remaining vinaigrette over the vegetables, along with a pinch of sea salt. Serve immediately. 
4. Rainbow Fruit Plate

IMAGE SOURCE: ELIZABETH STARK

Serves: 4 – 6 hungry kids

Prep time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pint small strawberries, washed well 
• 4 clementines, peeled and divided into segments 
• 1 lemon, cut into thin slices 
• 4 kiwis, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds 
• 1 cup seedless purple grapes 
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt (optional) 

Instructions:

1. If you’re using large strawberries, cut in half. Arrange whole or halved strawberries along the outer edge of a large serving plate or other platter. 
2. Next, add a stripe of clementine segments. 
3. Layer the lemon slices (cutting each round in half, if needed.) 
4. Fan out a strip of kiwis. 
5. Mound the grapes in the center. 
6. Divide vanilla yogurt into 2 bowls, and place each on one side of the fruit rainbow (optional.) Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate or serve immediately.

Source: Babble.com