Healthy Ziti Toss – Kids Choice

Sometimes, all it takes to get your kids to try something new is to starve them out a little.  What I mean by this is, feed them something new you want them to try when they are hungry enough to eat it.  Now, I didn’t do this with my kids when they were small, but now I do it and it mostly works.

A lot of times on the weekends when we have nice weather, my kids want me to make them a meal they can easily eat outside while playing.  This healthy ziti toss is perfect for that. I serve it along with pizza flatbreads or tortilla roll-ups. The bonus is that if they are all dirty, then they can keep all of that dirt outside, and I am a happy girl. ????

This is a quick and healthy little number that I actually like.  Sometimes I throw in some leftover chicken or cubed tofu.  Yes, I said tofu.  My kids will eat that in small doses.

Healthy Ziti Toss

1 box of whole wheat penne or mini penne
1 large head of broccoli, cut off the florets to use.
1/2 C of raisins.  I used brown and golden.
Olive oil
salt/pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan
1 tsp red pepper flakes

Boil the penne according to instructions.  In the last minute throw in the broccoli so it can cook just a little.  Drain both and toss into a bowl.  Drizzle with a little olive oil.  Add coarse salt and fresh pepper to taste and at the end sprinkle on the red pepper flakes.  Toss with the raisins and finish off with the cheese.  I just give it a dusting and toss.

Enjoy!

Fast, fresh and family friendly!