French Food for Kids

French food for kids isn't that hard to find or to prepare if you have the right recipe. You might assume that all French food is fancy, elegant, and suited for a more sophisticated pallet. After all, France is known to be the culinary capital of the world and many of the most accomplished chefs have French roots. But the truth is that if you have the right ingredients and a little bit of time, you too can master the art of French cooking. Your family will enjoy consuming the results of your labor and you will have gained a new skill.

What are some of the most common and easy-to-make French food for kids? Baked goods and deserts are probably a good place to start since most kids have a sweet tooth and since France is world renown for its pastries, croissants, petit fours, truffles, baguettes, French loafs, and more. Additional favorites include meringues, mousse au chocolat (chocolate mousse) and madeleines (scallop-shaped cookies or cakes).

Madeleines

When it comes to mealtime, no list of French food for your kids would be complete without mentioning pomme de terre, or potatoes. French scalloped potatoes are an all-time favorite, and au gratin - covered with melted cheese and milk - make them even tastier. Potatoes are the perfect food for kids since not only can you prepare them in an endless number of ways, but they are literally packed with nutrients, such as potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B, and iron.

Speaking of potatoes, it can be said that the most popular French food for kids is French fries. However the fast-food variety of French fries is exactly as its name implies - deep fried and full of fat. While this isn't necessarily a concern for children on an occasional basis, health experts advise that you make your own French fries so that you can control the amounts of oil used. Better yet, why not prepare delicious grilled potatoes or oven-roasted potatoes without adding any oil at all?

If you you're looking for some great French food for kids recipes and ideas, pick up a copy of Julia Child's lauded recipe book, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." The recipe book is aimed at both beginner and professional cooks and chefs, is well organized, and offers scores of helpful hints for preparing French food. Moreover, the book offers suggestions as to the proper wines to serve with each dish, as well as an explanation of the many types of French wines for which France is so famous.

Of course, if you're preparing French food for kids it's probably a good idea to skip the wine! However children will no doubt enjoy raising their cups and toasting "Sante!" (to health) while holding a cup of heart-warming chocolat chaud or hot chocolate.

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