Looking for an easy, better-for-you way to satisfy that pizza craving? Our friends at Cooking Light have put a delicious spin on this cheesy classic, using pita rounds and kale! These Mini Mozzarella-and-Kale Pita Pizzas require just a few ingredients, but are full of flavor! Split the pitas in half before toasting so that the “crust” for the pizzas can get extra crisp. Baby kale is a fantastic all-purpose green; and it’s a great introduction to greens other than lettuce or spinach. The kids are sure to love it, and can help with adding the fresh toppings before broiling!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat broiler to high with oven rack in middle position.

2. Split each pita in half horizontally to get 12 rounds. Arrange rounds, cut side up, on a baking sheet; drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Broil 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly toasted.

3. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add shallots and garlic; sauté 2 minutes or until browned. Stir in kale; cook 2 minutes or until wilted. Remove pan from heat.

4. Spread about 2 teaspoons pizza sauce over each pita round; top evenly with kale mixture, cheeses, and tomatoes. Sprinkle evenly with pepper and salt. Broil 4 to 5 minutes or until cheeses are melted.

Tips & Trick:

• Have a different green in your fridge? Use whatever you’d like!

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.

Summertime is a great time for fresh produce like tomatoes. Before they aren’t at their peak ripeness, enjoy these 11 Delicious Ways You Can Caprese featuring alternatives to the basic Italian tomato, basil and mozzarella dish from our friends at Cooking Light. 

California Caprese Bowl

“This is a riff on the Korean rice dish bibimbap, in which various toppings are arranged over a bed of rice. Here, California Caprese bowl must-haves such as thinly chopped peeled avocado, tomato wedges, and fresh mozzarella cheese top brown rice.”

Caprese Pizza

“The classic combination of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and thinly sliced basil never disappoints. Try it on our caprese pizza, for a bright combo of two Italian favorites, ready in just 45 minutes. An ending drizzle of balsamic vinegar brings out wonderful flavor and makes for a beautiful presentation.”

Caprese Mac and Cheese

“The classic Italian salad gets a kick of creamy comfort in this deliciously light hybrid recipe. Fast and full of summery goodness, Caprese Mac and Cheese can be a main dish for vegetarians. You can use any short pasta you have on hand for this dish, such as large elbows or rotini, instead of the penne pasta.”

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.

Putting a new spin on classic children’s favorites is the perfect way to introduce kids to new foods and help them grow into more adventurous – and healthy – eaters. Encourage your kids to try more “mature” flavors like goat cheese, arugula, sage, and brussels sprouts with these delicious and easy Fall Recipes from our friends at Cooking Light. These dishes are sure to have even the pickiest eaters asking for seconds!

Apple, Goat Cheese, and Pecan Pizza

“This unique pizza combines the familiar sweetness of green apples with peppery arugula and tangy goat cheese to help kids discover and enjoy new flavor combinations. Pies can be made ahead and baked off when guests arrive, making this the perfect recipe for your holiday dinner party!”

Sautéed Carrots with Sage

“Sage takes kid-friendly carrots to a whole new level in this quick and tasty side dish.”

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots

“Brussels sprouts may not have the best reputation among young eaters, but the smokey, salty bacon in this dish is sure to change your kids’ opinion of this incredibly healthy veggie.”

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.

Summer Squash Pizza

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into (1/4-inch-thick) slices
1 medium yellow squash, cut lengthwise into (1/4-inch-thick) slices
Cooking spray
1 (12-inch) packaged pizza crust, or homemade
2 plum tomatoes, cut into (1/8-inch-thick) slices
1/4 cup (1 ounce) finely grated pecorino Romano cheese
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano

Instructions

1. Prepare grill.

2. Combine oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, zucchini slices, and yellow squash slices in a large bowl, tossing gently to coat. Place squash mixture on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 2 minutes on each side or until tender.

3. Reduce grill temperature to medium.

4. Lightly coat pizza crust with cooking spray; grill 1 minute on each side or until lightly toasted. Arrange zucchini and squash over crust. Arrange tomatoes over squash; sprinkle with pecorino Romano cheese. Grill 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from grill; sprinkle with basil and oregano.

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.

For busy days when moms have a lot on their plates we cherish shortcuts that leave mom without guilt. Well, say goodbye to delivery wait time and sayonara to processed ingredients! Introducing, Freschetta’s new Gluten Free Frozen Pizzas! Freschetta’s frozen pizzas are thin crusted and crispy miracles in a box. These pizzas are made with the finest ingredients like all natural cheeses, quality meats, preservative free crusts and always-fresh tasting veggies. They have absolutely zero trans fat and are a great source of protein for the kids. These pizzas do not just taste better, they ARE better for you.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

Pizza is my favorite food in the whole world! I love how cheesy and crispy this pizza is.

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I try to cook my kids dinner as much as I possibly can, but sometimes life gets so busy and I just do not have the time. These pizzas are ready to serve and ready to eat after just 15 minutes of being in the oven. They always taste fresh and leave my kids feeling great.

Flavorful Features:

Freschetta’s thin and crispy gluten free pizzas are available in a 4-cheese medley and in signature pepperoni.

The Icing on the Cake:

The crust has no chemical leaveners meaning it naturally rises in the oven, which makes for an always fresh and always brick oven tasting pizza.

Time to Eat?!

The pre-packaged boxes make dinner-time hassle free. All you have to do is pop it in the oven for 15 minutes, and vuala! Dinner is served.

Mix it Up!

Make a themed pizza! For example, to make a taco themed pizza top it with ground beef mixed with taco seasoning, lettuce and tomato.

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.

Grilled Italian Vegetables with Pasta

Grilling vegetables brings out their rich flavors and gives them a nice smokiness. These grilled Italian vegetables are delicious over pasta or on an appetizer platter with cheese and bread. Leftovers can be tossed in a salad.

Soft Chicken Tacos

These simply prepared chicken tacos are an example of healthful Mexican cooking and are a way to teach your kids about grilling techniques, Mexican spices, and basic salsas. Serve with Pico de Gallo or Tomatillo Salsa and crisp vegetables.

Grilled Pizza with Asparagus and Caramelized Onion

It gets too hot in the summer to turn on the oven. But what if you’re craving some homemade pizza? Try throwing it on the grill! Slight char marks give the pizza a smoky flavor and the vegetable toppings give it a healthful twist.

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.

From working all day to running around to your kids’ after school activities, it can be hard to get home cooked meals on the table every night. Luckily, our friends at Cooking Light have come up with a super delicious recipe for homemade frozen pizzas! If you have the time, get your kids involved for a make-your-own pizza party. Cook up as many pizzas as you want tonight, and freeze the rest – it’s that simple! View the recipe below and click here for more great freezer-friendly recipes and tips from Cooking Light.

Individual White Chicken Pizzas

Ingredients

30 ounces refrigerated fresh pizza dough, divided
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
8 garlic cloves, crushed
4 thyme sprigs
4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
1 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
4 teaspoons cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 ounces shredded cooked chicken breast
6.5 ounces preshredded reduced-fat 4-cheese Italian-blend cheese (about 1 2/3 cups)
3 ounces fresh part-skim mozzarella cheese, torn into small pieces
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup small fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Place a pizza stone or heavy baking sheet in oven. Preheat oven to 450° (keep pizza stone or baking sheet in oven as it preheats).

2. Let pizza dough rest, covered, at room temperature as oven preheats.

3. Combine oil and next 4 ingredients (through thyme sprigs) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook 4 minutes or until garlic begins to brown, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine sieve over a small bowl; discard solids.

4. Combine milk, yogurt, and vinegar in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 6 minutes. Gently stir to form small curds. Strain curds through a fine sieve; let stand 5 minutes. Discard liquid. Combine oil mixture, cheese curds, and salt, stirring gently.

5. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces (about 2.5 ounces each). Roll each piece into a 6-inch circle on a lightly floured surface (keep dough covered with a damp towel to prevent drying). Spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons oil mixture over each pizza, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Divide chicken, Italian-blend cheese, and mozzarella cheese evenly among pizzas; sprinkle evenly with thyme leaves and black pepper. Carefully remove pizza stone from oven. Arrange 3 to 4 pizzas on pizza stone. Bake at 450° for 8 minutes or until dough is golden and cheese browns. Repeat procedure with remaining pizzas, or follow freezing instructions. Sprinkle pizzas evenly with fresh basil leaves.

TO FREEZE: Bake pizzas on preheated stone for only 5 minutes. Cool; wrap individually in heavy-duty foil, stack, and freeze up to 2 months.

TO REHEAT: No thawing: Place frozen pizzas on a baking sheet that’s not preheated; bake at 450° for 13 minutes or until cheese browns.

Tips & Tricks

Add a pop of color and nutrients to your pizza with fresh vegetables! This pizza would be delicious topped with sun dried or fresh tomatoes, chopped broccoli, or arugula.

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.

For those who are gluten-free or simply looking to eat healthier, Sonoma Gluten-Free Flatbreads is a healthful alternative to regular pizza. Sonoma Flatbreads decided to make a gluten-free pizza because they believed other gluten-free pizza options weren’t cutting it. Specifically, the Three Cheese Sonoma Flatbread is great because it allows gluten-free kids to eat delicious pizza, too! It is cheesy, yummy, and flavorful!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I can have yummy pizza just like my friends (and it’s gluten-free!).
 

From the Eyes of a Parent: 

Three Cheese Sonoma Gluten-Free Flatbreads doesn’t taste like frozen pizza. Instead, my child gets a better tasting option. The flatbreads taste fresh and flavorful. They have the perfect amount of crisp, cheese, and salt. The cheese melts in your mouth and tastes heavenly. The flatbreads are also a helpful option because they save me time—I don’t have to make gluten-free pizza dough anymore!

Flavorful Features:

Sonoma Gluten-Free Flatbreads comes in three incredible flavors:

• Three Cheese
  
• Margherita
  
• Pepperoni
  

The Icing on the Cake:

Sonoma Flatbreads are gluten-free and a great alternative to regular pizza! They use only nitrate-free and preservative-free ingredients, too.

Time to Eat?!

Great for a meal, like dinner, or you can use a smaller portion for an after-school snack the next day! Just pop it in the oven for about 12 minutes and it is ready to go!
 

Good to Go?

No, however, it can be cut up into strips and taken in a container or wrapped in foil to be taken on the go. It’s perfect to pack in your child’s lunchbox or bring with your child to other children’s parties so your child can have a gluten-free pizza option!
 

Mix it Up!

Garnish it with some fresh basil and some of your favorite vegetables to add more colors and nutrients to your family’s meal!

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.

Summer is the time for barbecues, picnics, and delicious, simple recipes filled with fresh seasonal produce. Whether you’re packing a picnic for the beach or just grilling by the pool, our friends at Cooking Light have the perfect recipes for all your summertime fun!

Penne with Herbs, Tomatoes, and Peas

Make the most of the summer’s freshest herbs and cherry tomatoes with this delicious vegetarian pasta dish! It can be served hot or cold, so it’s great to pack for a picnic.

Click here for the recipe!

Grilled Pizza with Prosciutto, Arugula, and Lemon

Pizza takes on a whole new flavor profile when charred on the grill. Topped with a light, summery salad and yummy prosciutto, this pizza makes for a great lunch or light dinner. Don’t have time to make your own pizza dough? Use store bought dough and start at step 3!

Click here for the recipe!

Pulled Chicken Sandwich

Pulled pork sandwiches are a summer staple, but who has the time to slow-smoke meats at home? Plus, pulled pork is usually loaded with calories, salt, and saturated fat. This pulled chicken sandwich is light and super simple to make, but doesn’t skimp on the bold barbecue flavor. Altogether, this recipe takes 40 minutes and contains 325 calories per serving – making it the perfect dish to serve at your next barbecue!

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.

Looking for a fun, last-minute St. Patty’s Day treat to brighten your family’s day? Our friends at iVillage have a handful of nutrient-packed and creative ideas that are easy to assemble and a great way to get the kids in the spirit! 

Fruit Rainbow

Use your family’s favorite fruits to create a rainbow! Children can get involved by picking out which fruits to use for each color. With just a handful of fruits, this idea is simple to put together and will last a few hours without refrigeration. Click here for this fun idea.

Vegetable Rainbow

Don’t have any fruit on hand? Uses vegetables such as grape tomatoes, peppers, or carrots to create a colorful arch. Add a pot of gold using rice crackers or baked vegetable chips, and a cloud of yogurt or cottage cheese that doubles as a dip! Click here for this fun idea.

Shamrock Pizzas

Looking for something that’s more of a main attraction? Create mini four-leaf clover pizzas by topping halved whole wheat bagels or whole wheat toast with tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, and sliced green peppers. Click here for this fun idea.

Shamrock Quesadillas