Imagine this: Dinner time rolls around, and you're faced with the timeless challenge, “How can I make veggies the star of the meal without a lot of fuss from the kids?”
Parents everywhere are on the never-ending search for the perfect mix of nutritious and kid-friendly meals. With this in mind, we've crafted a recipe that’s sure to make vegetables exciting for your little ones, all wrapped up in a nutritious, fiber-rich package: Hearty Vegetable Goulash.
This dish is perfect for a FUN, all-hands-on-deck family cooking experience!
The Magic of Cooking Together
There's something special about cooking with kids. It's not just about the food; it's about the memories you create together in the kitchen. When time allows, inviting your little ones to help with meal prep can transform dinner from a chore into an adventure. It’s a chance for them to touch, taste, and explore—a hands-on way to learn about healthy eating. Plus, kids are more likely to eat what they’ve helped make. Suddenly, those veggies on their plate aren’t so scary anymore.
Embracing a Fiber-Fueled Life
In our quest for better health for our families, fiber stands out as a key nutrient. That’s why we talked about Fiber Rich Kids: Building Healthy Habits Early in our latest blog. And it’s also why our Hearty Vegetable Goulash includes just better.® Prebiotic Fiber. It's a simple way to boost the fiber content in your family’s meal plan, supporting digestive health and ensuring everyone gets the nutrients they need to thrive. The beauty of just better.® Prebiotic Fiber is its ability to seamlessly integrate into any dish without altering the flavor.
This goulash (or any recipe) enhances the meal's nutritional value by ensuring that each spoonful contributes to your family's daily fiber needs, promoting a healthy gut and supporting overall well-being without changing the hearty, comforting taste your family loves. 😍
Hearty Vegetable Goulash
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 medium to large organic onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 organic bell peppers, any color, chopped
2 to 3 organic carrots, sliced
2 potatoes, diced
1 organic zucchini, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 cans (14 oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ Cup just better.® Prebiotic Fiber
Directions:
In a large pot, heat the avocado oil over medium heat.
Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
Add the bell peppers, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, and mushrooms.
Cook for about 5 minutes, until slightly softened.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, just better.® Prebiotic Fiber, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Serve hot with a slice of whole-grain garlic toast, and watch your family dive into a world of flavor and nutrition.
Optional Additions: Feel free to add any other veggies you have on hand or throw in some lentils, whole grain elbow macaroni, or millet for a more robust meal.
Customizing Your Goulash: Picky Eaters & Busy Schedules
We understand that every family is unique, with their own set of tastes and time constraints. That's why our just better.® Hearty Vegetable Goulash is as flexible as it is delicious.
Here are a few tips to tailor it to fit your family's needs perfectly:
For Picky Eaters:
Let Them Choose: Involve your kids in selecting the veggies that go into the goulash. Giving them a say can make them more excited to eat the final product.
Blend It In: For ultra-picky eaters, consider blending some of the vegetables before adding them to the pot. This way, they get all the nutrition without the texture that might be off-putting for them.
Cheese Please: A sprinkle of cheese on top before serving can make the dish more appealing to kids, adding a creamy texture and rich flavor.
For Busy Families:
Make Ahead: This goulash is a fantastic make-ahead meal. Prepare it over the weekend, store it in the fridge, and reheat portions as needed throughout the week. It tastes even better as the flavors meld together over time.
Freeze for Later: Double the recipe and freeze half for a future dinner. Just thaw, reheat, and serve for a quick and nutritious meal that's ready when you are.
Quick Tips: Keep a few cans of diced tomatoes and pre-chopped organic veggies on hand to cut down on prep time. This way, assembling the goulash is as simple as tossing everything into the pot.
Remember, the goal is to make mealtime stress-free and enjoyable for everyone at the table. With a little creativity and planning, the just better.® Hearty Vegetable Goulash can easily become a family favorite that meets your nutritional goals and fits into your lifestyle.
Closing Thoughts
The just better.® Hearty Vegetable Goulash is more than a meal; it’s a delicious way to bring your family together over a love of wholesome, nutrient-dense food and good health. This goulash is our invitation to you and your loved ones to explore the joys of cooking and the benefits of a fiber-rich diet together.
Got a twist on our Hearty Vegetable Goulash that your family adores? Or maybe a photo of your little ones giving their biggest goulash smiles? We’d love to see it! Share your stories, photos, and reactions with us on social media using #justbetterFiber and join our community of health-conscious, fiber-loving families.
Let’s inspire each other and make every meal an opportunity to live just better.®! 🥰 Ready to make family meals both fun and fiber-fueled? Check out our latest blog, "Fiber Rich Kids: Building Healthy Habits Early," for more insights on the benefits of high-fiber meal planning! 🥰
