Ed note: this was first published on wh.gov
Today, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the first-ever Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House, welcoming 54 budding chefs to a formal luncheon in the East Room. The guests, all between the ages of 8 and 12, represent all U.S. states, three territories and the District of Columbia.
Posted by Sydney Brown, North Carolina on August 20, 2012
Sydney created these Baked Zucchini Fries to accompany her Homerun Meatloaf Burger. “I thought I could show kids how delicious vegetables could be when you think of fun and creative ways to add them to your meal,” she says. She likes to serve this with fresh strawberry lemonade. —Sydney Brown, age 11, North Carolina
Today's Kids' State Dinner is a White House original in many ways -- it's not only the first time the guests of honor are ALL under the age of 13, it's also the first time the White House kitchen has served a formal meal where the entire menu was created by "chefs" who have no formal training. But Executive Chef Cris Comerford and Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses say they learned a thing or two about healthy cooking from the young winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge -- check it out:
First Lady Michelle Obama sent the message below to the White House email list, to let people know about first-ever White House Kids' State Dinner -- you can watch it live online later this morning:
Hello --
Tomorrow is going to be a special day at the White House, and I wanted to make sure you got a chance to be a part of it.
At lunchtime, 54 kids from all over the United States will join me in the East Room for the first-ever Kids' State Dinner.
Posted by Samuel Wohabe, New York on August 18, 2012
“I’ve always loved kale chips, and can eat the entire head of kale this way!”—Samuel Wohabe, age 9, New York
Ingredients:
1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves torn into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
Posted by Michael Lakind, Texas on August 17, 2012
“I came up with this idea because I love to eat fresh, healthy, and light food. I came up with the name for the salad because I am very interested in the important job of the Secret Service.” Michael likes to have this with a tasty carrot soup he calls Bunny Bisque. –Michael Lakind, age 9, Texas
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
On Monday August 20, First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome 54 talented young chefs to the White House for the first-ever Kids State Dinner. The guests -- ages 8-12 -- are all winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, and each of them created an original recipe that is healthy, original and affordable, and contains the five food groups (fruits, veggies, protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains).
We're all pretty excited to greet 54 amazing young chefs at the White House on Monday, August 20, when First Lady Michelle Obama will host the first-ever Kids' State Dinner. Joining us will be the talented young people (and their parents) whose recipes submitted for the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge most impressed the judges, and best met all the criteria: A healthy, original and affordable lunch that contains the five food groups (fruits, veggies, protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains). Kids could integrate everything into one recipe, or incorporate some of those food groups into one dish and represent the others as suggested sides, like a whole-wheat wrap with chicken salad, lettuce and shredded carrots, served with skim milk and some strawberries.
Posted by Esther Huh, Northern Mariana Islands on August 16, 2012
Esther’s mom, Dae Young, is a big fan of the high-fiber pitaya fruit (dragonfruit), and happily, so is Esther. They combined it with chicken and cabbage to make a healthy, vibrant salad. They like to layer the salad ingredients when they serve it and if you do this, serve the dressing on the side. –Esther Huh, age 11, Northern Mariana Islands
Makes 1 serving
