Your Kids Are Going to Eat These Cheddar Cauli-Tots Like You Can't Imagine

One of the best ways to get kids eating what we cook for them is to have them help us in the kitchen. But only on occasion, because any more than that and no one would ever eat a hot meal. If they make it, they will eat it. If you make it, they might scrunch up their noses. It's one of the tenets of parenting.

The most important rule when cooking with kids is to choose a simple recipe with minimal ingredients and even fewer steps. Now is not the time to try your hand at a soufflé, unless you want the kitchen to look like the Hulk and Godzilla battled for the last piece of cake. So, make something simple, that they can get their hands into, and that satisfies children's need for instant gratification. There's nothing worse than waiting for something to come out of the oven when you're six years-old.

Tater tots are a universal favourite in the under-20 set, but switch out the potatoes for cauliflower and you have the satisfaction of cooking a fun and healthy side dish or snack. 

Crispy Cheddar Cauli-Tots

Ingredients:

Directions:

• Butter a mini muffin tin and preheat the oven to 205C / 400F.
   
• Shred the cauliflower using a food processor or a grater. This step is a bit messy if you’re doing it by hand, but since the kids are helping in the kitchen, there's probably already a mess.

• Once the cauliflower is shredded, place into a CLEAN dishtowel and squeeze out the excess water.

• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well using a fork.

• Scoop out mixture using a small scoop or a tablespoon-sized measuring spoon and press into the muffin cups.

• Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until they begin to golden. Eat them warm.

Makes 24 cauli-tots.

Bon appétit!

Recipe adapted from Cupcakes and Kale Chips.

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