Kids Can Make Soup

Summary

Bring your kiddos into the kitchen. Participating in cooking helps your child be open to trying new and different foods.
 

Vegetable Soup for All

Mealtimes can be hectic, filled with lots of opinions and preferences. Including kids in food prep is a great option to add some connection and exploration. This simple vegetable soup below is made with kid-friendly vegetables simmered in an easy broth. As the broth simmers, kids can cut vegetables as adults add them to the broth to simmer.

Kids can learn to use knives. Once a potato is precut into wedges, kids can use a butter knife or these Kid Friendly Knives to make bite-size vegetable pieces for the soup. Other vegetables that work well are zucchini, peppers, and spinach.

Once the veggies have simmered in the broth, they are ready to serve. Potatoes take up to 30 minutes to soften depending on the size of each piece. Zucchini, peppers and spinach need just a few minutes. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top can bring more enthusiasm. Some like the broth, without the veggies and pasta, served in a small mug to drink.

Is your kiddo still not interested? A fully cooked soup can be pureed in a blender. This smooth texture is sometimes more pleasing to little eaters.

And for a really quick kids' soup, add frozen mixed vegetables to an instant ramen noodle soup. 

Link to more resources:  https://www.myplate.gov/tip-sheet/healthy-eating-toddlers

Nourishing and Simple Vegetable Soup 

3 cups broth  (we like the Better Than Boullion Base: 2 tsp base + 3 cups hot water)

OR: homemade or prepared vegetable, chicken or beef broth

1 tsp dried onion flakes

¼ tsp garlic powder

1 tsp soy sauce

1 Tbl tomato paste or Ketchup

½ cup chopped dense vegetables like potatoes or carrots

½ cup chopped softer vegetables like zucchini, peppers, broccoli, peas, or spinach

¼ c tiny noodles

Parmesan cheese, shredded
 

Place broth, onion, garlic, soy sauce, tomato paste or Ketchup and the potatoes and carrot in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer until the vegetables begin to soften, about 15 minutes. Add the softer vegetables and the pasta and continue to simmer until everything is tender. Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.