Calling all kids chefs! Do you have a delicious, healthful, and affordable recipe you love to make? Enter the fourth-annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge! Read below for more information from our friends at Let’s Move!

First Lady Michelle Obama is teaming up with PBS flagship station WGBH Boston, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to host the fourth-annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge to promote cooking and healthy eating among young people across the nation.

The challenge invites kids ages 8-12 to join a parent or guardian in creating an original recipe that is healthy, affordable, and delicious. One winner from each U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia will be selected and have the opportunity to attend a Kids’ “State Dinner” here at the White House this summer, where a selection of the winning recipes will be served.

Click here for more information about the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and to submit your recipe by April 30!

“It is such a pleasure to host the Kids’ ‘State Dinner’ at the White House each year, and I am thrilled to announce the fourth year of our Healthy Lunchtime Challenge,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “Every year I am blown away by the talent and creativity of the young chefs, and I cannot wait to welcome this year’s group at the White House this summer. So I hope young people across the country will get into the kitchen and get cooking!”

Don’t forget to check out USDA’s MyPlate to ensure that your recipe meets the nutrition guidelines and incorporates each of the food groups either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner.  Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children.  She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Everyday Frittata

“We use evaporated milk here because it has a richness similar to that of sat fat-heavy half-and-half, but with far less fat. Be sure to shake the can vigorously before using. We love the flavor that bacon adds, but if you’d rather omit it, each serving will contain 212 calories, 13.2g total fat (4.4g sat), and 379mg sodium.

Cost for 4: $6.95
Total Time: 20 minutes”

Click here for the recipe!

Smoky Two-Bean Vegetarian Chili

“A wee bit of canned chipotle chiles goes a long way in infusing this hearty chili with rich, smoky flavor and a hint of heat.

Cost for 4: $4.69
Total Time: 28 minutes”

Click here for the recipe!

Beef Chorizo Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

“Each person gets three filling tacos for a satisfying meal full of fresh veggie crunch. Garlic, paprika, cumin, and vinegar turn ground beef into near-instant Mexican-style chorizo, much leaner than the traditional pork version.

Cost for 4: $8.37
Total Time: 25 minutes”

Click here for the recipe!

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

One-Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

This pasta dinner is a game changer: You use just enough liquid to cook the pasta—no colander needed.
Cost for 4: $8.43
Total Time: 29 minutes”

Click here for the recipe!

Parmesan Chicken Breast Tenders

This recipe calls for chicken breast tenders here to keep things easy, but you can also use skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs (which are less expensive). Just cut each lengthwise into 3 strips.

Cost for 4: $8.61
Total Time: 20 minutes

Click here for the recipe!

Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

A quick two-step process of microwave-steaming then roasting creates golden-brown sweet potato wedges that make for a versatile side dish or snack. Serve with the chicken tenders above for a healthful version of your kids’ favorite fast food meal!

Cost for 4: $2.46
Total Time: 30 minutes

Click here for the recipe!

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

By Katie Auerbach

Teach your kids to cook and eat healthy, and you just might be rewarded with a VIP trip to Washington, DC!

Do you have a budding chef in your family between the ages of 8 and 12? Help your master-chef-in-the-making create an original, tasty, and affordable lunchtime recipe to submit to the 3rd Healthy Lunchtime Challenge for a chance to win the trip of a lifetime to the White House for a Kids’ “State Dinner” this summer.

Hosted by the First Lady Michelle Obama and Epicurious, the challenge aims to find 50 fresh, simple, and yummy recipes—one from each state! Your junior chef’s entry should be made up of at least half vegetables and fruits, and include a great story of how the dish was developed.  Submit your recipe by this Saturday, April 5th here, where you’ll also find all the rules and regulations, as well. Now get set, get creative, and get cooking!

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children.  She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.