Disney's Mary Poppins would approve of this Ninja Baker’s Japanese veggie ramen. The famous Disney nanny was all about fun! In between traveling into colorful sidewalk art with her charges; she was singing, “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down!” (My Japanese nanny actually did crush up my medicine with honey.)

I’m not espousing the sweet stuff today. But I am promoting ramen! Specifically Japanese noodles topped with colorful veggies in amusing shapes. I’m no parenting expert. However, as an auntie and great-auntie I’ve noticed that when imagination is engaged, children will play along.

Plus, when children are involved in a project, when it’s their handiwork on the plate, they’re more likely to dig in. Even vegetables. Japanese bento tools and cookie cutters, by the way, are fantastic ways to create fun vegetable shapes.

You can also make Japanese-style octopus-shaped tofu dogs. It’s super easy. Cut the hot dog in half. For each tip, cut a cross. Then, boil for 3 minutes. Miraculously you’ll see 4-legged octopuses appear! My Japanese friends assure me, the octopus legs will also appear if you fry the hot dogs. While you’re boiling the tofu (or turkey or beef) dogs, under adult supervision, children can “make the ramen.” Standing on a footstool, little ones can stir the noodles in the boiling water.

In addition to ramen, another vehicle for veggies is brownies. Click this link here for another super-easy kid-friendly recipe. Scroll down too, to see a list of delicious strategies to get children to eat their vegetables. What are your tricks?

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Veggie Ramen

Speaking as an auntie and great-auntie, here are a few strategies used to get children to eat their vegetables!

1. Use colorful vegetables

2. Incorporate the vegetables into something yummy like ramen (or brownies!)

3. Create fun shapes with vegetables using cookie cutters and/or Japanese bento tools.

4. Get the children involved in the making of veggie ramen or whatever dish you are serving.

5. Use time in the kitchen with children as a way to play.

Ingredients:

Ramen (I use Sapporo Ichiban)
Corn niblets
Slivers of green beans
Zucchini
Green, yellow, red peppers
Carrots

Directions:

1. Boil 2 cups of water.
2. Add ramen noodles, stirring with a wooden spoon.
3. Mix in the soup packet.
4. Punch out animal, flower, star shapes with cookie cutters (and/or Japanese bento tools) on slightly cooked carrots and/or peppers. Zucchini can be cooked or uncooked.
5. Garnish the ramen with the veggie shapes, corn niblets, green bean slivers and other oh-so-good-for-you vegetables.

How to Make Japanese Style Octopus Hot Dogs

Japanese tako (octopus) tofu, turkey or beef hot dogs bring smiles to kids of all ages...Including aunties! Hot dogs shaped into octopuses frequently adorn Japanese bento. Placed there with love by mothers, aunties and grandmas. Maybe you'll be making Japanese tako tofu regularly dogs, too.

Ingredients:

Tofu, turkey or beef hot dogs
Enough boiling hot water to cover the hot dogs

Directions:

1. Bring a pan of water (enough to cover your hot dogs) to a boil.
2. Cut hot dogs in half (horizontally.)
3. On each tip, with a sharp knife cut a cross figure (about 1/3 of the way down.)
4. Place the hot dogs into the boiling water.
5. Watch octopus legs appear!

Anne from Simple and Savory hosts our Sunday Supper blogger's banquet of kid-friendly veggie dishes. Scroll down to see how you can contribute your dish.

Sunday Supper Kid Friendly Vegetable Recipes

Breakfast

Cinnamon Zucchini Muffins by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Creamy Kid Sized Smoothies by The Freshman Cook
Sweet Potato Crust Quiche by Pies and Plots
Sweet Potato Muffins with Veggie Cream Cheese by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Dinners

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese by Food Lust People Love
Chicken and Broccoli Shells and Cheese by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
Eat Your Veggies Beef Tacos by Simple and Savory
Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce for Orange Orzo by Caroline's Cooking
Veggie Ramen by NinjaBaker.com

Sides

Broccoli Tots by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Cheesy Cauliflower by Bottom Left of the Mitten
Kid-Friendly Baked Potato Fries by Hardly A Goddess
Salad on a Stick by My Imperfect Kitchen
Zuppa di Ravioli by Gourmet Everyday

Snacks

Dairy Free Veggie Ice Pops by Our Good Life
Healthy Homemade Taquitos by Cricket’s Confections
Vegan Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies by A Mind Full Mom
Veggie Egg Rolls by My Savory SpoonFor even more kid friendly vegetables check out these Vegetable Recipes for Picky Eaters by The Sunday Supper Movement

For even more kid friendly vegetables check out these Vegetable Recipes for Picky Eaters by The Sunday Supper Movement Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Wishing you and yours health and happiness.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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Tags:

#ramen #Japanese #kidfriendly #easyrecipe #vegetables #SundaySupper

The Ninja Baker - #ramen #Japanese #kidfriendly #easyrecipe #vegetables #SundaySupper