5 no cook side dishes kids will love

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Preparing and cooking the best side dishes to go with a meal can sometimes be difficult to achieve, especially when you are trying to entice kids to eat them. Sometimes, it is better to make no-cook side dishes because they are simple, colorful, easier to do, and a healthier option for children. Best of all, your kids can help prepare them, making them enjoy their creations even more.

Try these 5 no-cook side dishes to make healthy, kid-friendly meals.

1) Raspberry, Avocado & Mango Salad

Eating Well recommends this fruity, leafy goodness to upgrade the usual garden salad recipe. Toss in a handful of raspberries, slices of avocado and mango drizzled with pureed berries mixed with tangy wine vinaigrette dressing and a few lettuce. Best enjoyed when paired with rare steak or grilled chicken breast.

2) Makeover for Carrots

From celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and Oprah, this carrot no-cook side dish is so breezy and exquisite, you won’t believe you just learned to do it now. Using whatever color of carrot you like, which ranges from yellow, purple to white, simply grate it then add chopped mint, lemon juice, a few drops of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. You can eat it as a side dish for fish or any lean white meat or you can have it as is with a few sesame seeds.

3) Zucchini slices with chili and Parmesan cheese

Real Simple suggests slicing zucchini to coins and drizzle olive oil to tenderize them while they marinate. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and optional chili flakes, stirring occasionally to make sure that all sides are coated. Besides tasting really good, the mild zing of the chili will wake up your taste buds and prepare it to taste the goodness of main course, preferably chicken thighs or steak.

4) Rainbow Fresh Chopped Salad

Besides being colorful that kids will surely love, Eating Well adds that it can be a main dish as well if grilled chicken breast slices will be added on top. You can check the recipe after the jump. It is easy, mess-free and kids can help you prepare it.

5) Cucumber as the Star of the Salad

Oprah definitely knows what she’s talking about when she shared this deliciously refreshing salad made out of cucumber slices with a splash of red wine vinaigrette, a tablespoon of sour cream and a tiny sprinkle of sugar. Chill it in the fridge for at least ten to 20 minutes before adding wedges of tomato, red onion and chopped dill. Best eaten with poached salmon.