Serves 4

Ingredients

• 8 slices whole grain bread 
• 4 tbs mayonnaise 
• 4 tbs unsalted butter 
• 8 ounces Le Gruyere AOP, grated
• 4 ounces turkey breast, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced

Directions

1. Spread 1/2 tbs mayonnaise on one side of one slice of bread. Set aside and repeat with remaining slices of bread 
2. In a large skillet, over medium low heat, melt butter. 
3. To skillet, add four slices of bread, mayonnaise side down. 
4. Evenly distribute Gruyere AOP, turkey breast, and sliced apple on top of bread in skillet. Top with remaining 4 slices of bread, mayonnaise side up. 
5. Cook sandwiches for approximately 4 minutes, or until bottom slices of bread are golden brown. 
6. Flip sandwiches and cook for an additional 4 minutes.

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.

Get cheesy with Emmi Cheese! Emmi Cheese is steeped in tradition and craftsmanship and it shows in all of their high-quality cheese products. The Creative Kitchen loves their passionate support of farmers, cheesemakers as well as sustainable agriculture to create a product that is second to none like their non-GMO Le Gruyère AOP. Emmi Traditions Le Gruyère AOP is made using locally farmed cow’s milk that is perfect in a gooey grilled cheese sandwich little ones can enjoy or as a topping on a cheesy French onion soup.

The Creative Kitchen is happy to include Emmi USA as a Supporting Sponsor in our Whole Foods Holiday Kids Cooking Series, where kids make Tortellini Totem Poles and Breakfast Frittata Cakes!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I ate so much cheese, mom said I’m part mouse!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Emmi’s Le Gruyère AOP is a delicious cheese. I love being able to use it for all sorts of recipes. I love adding it to eggs for breakfast or as an addition to a cheese plate when I’m entertaining guests! Emmi’s website has a great list of recipes and pairings for their cheeses so I always have new ways to use their cheese. There are only three ingredients in Emmi’s Le Gruyère AOP so I don’t have to worry about any added artificial flavors or colors. Plus, it’s a mild cheese so even my little picky eaters like it.

Flavorful Features:

Emmi Traditions comes in an assortment of varieties:

– Le Gruyère® AOP
– Le Gruyère® AOP Réserve
– Emmentaler® AOP
– Appenzeller®
– Tête de Moine AOP

The Icing On the Cake:

Emmi adheres to strict Swiss cheese production guidelines, quality controls and environmental directives. The official quality mark AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protegée) is reserved for traditional products with long-standing regional origins. Once the Swiss Federal Office of Agriculture registers a protected designation, Emmi and other cheesemakers only use it for products that meet all requirements regarding quality, origin and production.

Time to Eat?!

Enjoy Le Gruyère AOP anytime of day. It’s perfect as a cheesy addition to fritattas like we incorporated in our Holiday Kids Cooking Classes, as a fun pairing with roasted sweet potatoes and fig jam for a take on a grilled cheese with sweet potato, or even on top of a caramelized pears and cranberry compote.

Mix it Up!

Melt Emmi Traditions Le Gruyère AOP in a frittata mixed with fresh vegetables , on top of an open-faced egg sandwich or melt them on top of broccoli or asparagus.

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.

The midday slump happens to the best of us. A hearty and healthful lunch can help you and your kids refuel to power through the rest of the day ahead. Our friends at Cooking Light have put together a collection of healthful lunches that are sure to be a hit with you and your family! From after school activities to after work meetings, these nutritious and filling lunches will keep you and your kids going until dinnertime.

Waffle Turkey-and-Cheese Sami

Your kids will love this fun cross between breakfast and lunch! This sandwich combines whole-wheat waffles, low-sodium turkey, and a maple-mustard-mayonnaise spread for a yummy salty-sweet combination. Serve this twist on a classic turkey sandwich with some cut up fruit and carrot sticks for a complete and balanced lunch!

Click here for the recipe!

Grilled Veggie and Hummus Wraps

Make the most of summer’s last vegetable harvest with this grilled veggie wrap! Super simple to assemble and filled with fiber, plant-based protein, and tons of flavor, these nutrient-packed wraps will give you that midday day boost to keep you fueled and full for the rest of the day.

Click here for the recipe!

Parmesan-Panko Chicken Tenders

What kid (or kid at heart) doesn’t love chicken fingers? This healthful upgrade on a fast food favorite uses crunchy panko breadcrumbs to give the tenders that crispy texture without the need of deep frying! Pack these in your kid’s lunchbox with cut up veggies and a yummy dipping sauce for a meal that will be a huge hit at any lunch table.

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.

This sweet and tangy chicken salad from our friends at Archetype Me and Cricket Azima is a healthy and fresh take on an old favorite. The creaminess of the Greek yogurt, complemented by the sweet, chewy texture of the dates, makes it irresistible, even to the pickiest eaters. Kids will love the sweetness of the salad, and parents will be thrilled that a dish that tastes so indulgent has so much nutritional value. The dates give the added benefit of dietary fiber, antioxidants, iron, and are the perfect foil to the tanginess of the Greek yogurt, which provide much-needed calcium with a probiotic plus.

Notes to The Busy Caregiver:

Use what you have! Don’t have dates? Substitute raisins or diced apricots. No chives? Substitute other favorite summer herb such as tarragon, thyme, mint, or dill.

Diversely delicious! Enjoy this chicken salad on salad greens, mixed into pasta, tucked into a wrap, or as a filling for a sandwich.

Make it a team effort! There are plenty of jobs to share. Pitted dates are soft and can be cut using a plastic knife. Once the cooked chicken has cooled, kids can help shred the pieces with their hands.

Yields 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

1 chicken breast, cooked (poaching works well here) and shredded

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1/2 cup finely chopped pitted dates

1/2 cup chopped chives

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, yogurt, dates, chives, salt and pepper.

2. Mix ingredients together thoroughly.

3. Chill and serve!

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.