| Ask any parent and they're sure to | | | | you're serving sandwiches, trim out the |
| agree: feeding kids can be a nightmare. | | | | crusts and use a cookie cutter to cut |
| It's hard to find a balance between | | | | them into fun shapes. Make funny faces |
| foods that are healthy and foods that | | | | on burger patties, arrange fruits on top |
| they actually like. If you're lucky, | | | | of salads, or make little gingerbread |
| your child will have a number of | | | | houses. |
| favorite foods and refuse to eat | | | | Don't experiment |
| anything else. Each meal is a struggle, | | | | You may be dying to try out your new |
| and more often than not, it ends up in a | | | | caviar recipe, but this is a children's |
| tantrum or a food fight (sometimes | | | | party. Kids tend to be picky eaters. |
| both). So just imagine the trouble of | | | | Stick to good old Filipino cuisine-tried |
| planning an entire party, where the | | | | and tested dishes that children will |
| guests are all growing children with | | | | always like. If you want to serve more |
| their own moods and preferences. Well, | | | | 'adult' food, put them on a separate |
| here's the good news: it doesn't have to | | | | table or serve them in the kitchen. |
| be all that troublesome. With careful | | | | Let them help out |
| planning and a bit of creativity, you | | | | If you could use a little extra help, |
| can serve healthy Filipino food that | | | | try having your child help with the |
| your kids are sure to love. Here are | | | | preparations. It doesn't matter if |
| some tips to help you get started. | | | | they're too young or unable to follow |
| Mind the cake | | | | instructions. Just give them small tasks |
| What's a birthday party without a nice | | | | such as measuring ingredients, timing |
| birthday cake? Get the cake right and | | | | the oven, or wiping the tables. You can |
| the rest of the party will take care of | | | | even let them draw on the birthday cake |
| itself; get it wrong and there's hardly | | | | and make the decorations. Helping out |
| a party to begin with. You usually have | | | | will build up their excitement and make |
| two choices: buy the cake or bake it | | | | the occasion seem even more special. |
| yourself. Buying is certainly more | | | | Also, they'll enjoy the party even more |
| convenient, but it takes out a lot of | | | | knowing they had a hand in making it |
| the fun. If you can bake a decent cake | | | | happen. |
| and you're for the challenge, you and | | | | Self-serve dishes |
| your child can help bake the cake | | | | Often, the worst part of the party is |
| together. It gives you a lot of room for | | | | scooping out the ice cream while a dozen |
| creativity, and your child can even use | | | | kids wait in line with their sugar |
| his favorite toppings. | | | | cones. Better yet, lay out all the cones |
| Kid-friendly flavors | | | | and toppings and let them make their own |
| Children want everything sweet, from ice | | | | ice cream. If you're worried about |
| cream and candy to meat and vegetables. | | | | making a mess, have someone supervise |
| That doesn't mean you have to serve ten | | | | them or fill the cones as they pick out |
| different desserts-most Filipino food | | | | their toppings. You can do the same with |
| recipes can be adjusted to suit | | | | pizza, salads, sandwiches, finger foods, |
| children's tastes. Just sweeten up your | | | | and most Filipino deserts recipes. |
| main dishes, be generous with the dips | | | | Plan together |
| and sauces, and stick to everyday | | | | Your child can also help you plan the |
| ingredients. If you're serving pasta, | | | | meals for the big day. After all, it's |
| skip the fancy spices and make it simple | | | | his party, so it's only right that he |
| and sweet. Kids like lots of cheese, | | | | should have a say on what goes on the |
| sauce, meat and hot dogs. Those are all | | | | table. And they'll know better which |
| fairly healthy, so there's nothing wrong | | | | foods their friends like and which ones |
| with giving them a little extra. | | | | they don't. Don't let them decide the |
| Presentation is everything | | | | entire meal, of course. To balance out |
| Sometimes all it takes to turn a dish | | | | their choices, have them pick a couple |
| into children's food is a change in | | | | of Filipino recipes from a cookbook in |
| presentation. Instead of serving ice | | | | addition to their favorite foods. If |
| cream in bowls, why not use colorful ice | | | | they're helping cook the meal as well, |
| cream cones in interesting shapes? You | | | | look for simple Filipino cooking recipes |
| can also top them with candy sprinkles, | | | | that they can make with minimum |
| fruit slices, or chocolate powder. If | | | | supervision. |