Michelle Obama Is Sponsoring a Kids’ Cooking Competition
Michelle Obama photo via Shutterstock
If your child is destined for Chopped Junior, he or she could be your ticket to the White House.
Michelle Obama, in collaboration with Boston’s WGBH, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced today the fifth annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and Kids’ State Dinner. The challenge asks kids ages 8 to 12 (with help from a parent or guardian) to come up with a healthy, affordable original lunch recipe. One winner from each state will be invited to the Kids’ State Dinner—featuring a guest appearance from Rachael Ray—this summer, and have their creations featured in an e-cookbook.
Each recipe must include fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean protein, and whole grains, either in the main dish or a side. Bonus points go to anybody who uses local ingredients.
Parents can register on behalf of their youngsters here. Entries must be submitted by April 4.
While all submissions must be original recipes, here are some ideas to pique your child’s creativity—and tastebuds:
- Pomegranate, pear, arugula, wild rice, and pumpkin seed salad, plus low-fat cheese
- Acorn squash stuffed with quinoa, spinach, and turkey sausage
- Avocado toast with blueberry and feta, plus almonds for protein
