4 Recipes for Kids That Will Look Great on Ahimsa Rainbow Plates
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Time to Read: 10 min
Mealtime is more than just eating. It can be an opportunity to nourish both body and soul, to gather and share moments of joy. For kids, how food looks can be just as important as how it tastes. But how can we use colors and visuals to get picky eaters to explore the flavors and colors of the world around us?
Ahimsa rainbow plates are here to help, transforming every meal into a vibrant spectacle of colors bound to captivate children and adults alike.
Imagine the delight in a child's eyes when they're given a meal that's as colorful as it is delicious. It's about turning everyday dining into an adventure, where each dish brings a spectrum of flavors and colors. Ahimsa rainbow plates offer the perfect backdrop for such culinary explorations. They don't just hold food. They transform it into a visual feast, making every bite an invitation to explore and enjoy.
We’ve got four easy, healthy, and visually appealing recipes that are mouthwateringly good and look fantastic on these rainbow plates. From a vibrant veggie pizza to a sweet fruit salad, each recipe is designed to make the most of the plate's playful colors, encouraging kids (and adults!) to dive into a world of healthy, joyful eating.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
4 Recipes for Kids
Rainbow Veggie Pizza
20
15-18
4
Transform pizza night with this colorful, nutritious twist. This Rainbow Veggie Pizza is a delightful way to incorporate an array of vegetables into a traditionally crowd-pleasing meal. It's an engaging dish that invites kids to explore the flavors and benefits of different veggies, all arranged beautifully to mimic a rainbow.
Ingredients
- 1 whole wheat pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Red bell peppers, thinly sliced
- Carrot ribbons (use a peeler to create thin strips)
- Corn kernels (fresh or frozen and thawed)
- Broccoli florets, blanched and chopped
- Purple onions, thinly sliced
- A handful of spinach leaves for a touch of green
Preparation
- Start by heating your oven to 425°F (220°C), ensuring it's hot enough to crisp the dough and melt the cheese beautifully.
- On a floured surface, roll out your whole wheat pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about an inch of the edge sauce-free for the crust. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Now it’s time to arrange your veggies. Using the various colors of the vegetables, you will create a gradient effect that resembles a rainbow. Start with the red bell peppers at the outer edge, followed by carrot ribbons, corn kernels, broccoli florets, spinach leaves, and finally, purple onions in the center.
- Slide the pizza into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Once out of the oven, let the pizza cool for a few minutes. This is a great time to add any fresh herbs you like, such as basil or oregano, for an extra flavor boost.
Presentation Tip:
Cut the pizza into slices and serve on an Ahimsa rainbow plate. The colorful vegetables against the plate's vibrant hues make the meal visually stunning, turning a simple pizza into an exciting adventure in taste and color. It's a fantastic way to make healthy eating appealing and fun for kids, encouraging them to try a rainbow of vegetables in one go.
Colorful Veggie and Hummus Platter
10
2-3
4
Brighten up snack time or start your meal with a splash of color. This Colorful Veggie and Hummus Platter is not just a feast for the eyes on Ahimsa rainbow plates. It's a nutritious, engaging way to encourage kids and adults alike to enjoy their veggies. Arranged beautifully, each vegetable adds a pop of color and a range of essential nutrients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of your favorite hummus
- Red cherry tomatoes, halved
- Orange bell pepper, sliced into strips
- Yellow squash, sliced into rounds
- Green cucumber, sliced into rounds
- Purple radishes, sliced
- A handful of blueberries for a sweet touch
- Whole wheat pita bread, cut into triangles
Preparation
- Wash all your vegetables thoroughly. Slice the bell pepper, squash, cucumber, and radishes into bite-sized pieces that are easy to pick up and dip.
- Spoon the hummus into the center of the plate. Arrange the veggies and blueberries around the hummus in a circular pattern to create a vibrant display. This makes the platter visually appealing and invites kids to learn about different vegetables and fruits.
- Warm the whole wheat pita bread in the oven for a few minutes until slightly crispy, then cut it into triangles. Place these around the edge of the plate for a hearty, dippable addition to the platter.
- For an extra touch of flavor and color, sprinkle a dash of paprika over the hummus and garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley or cilantro.
Presentation Tip
The key to making this platter stand out is in the arrangement. Use the Ahimsa rainbow plate as your canvas, and let the natural colors of the vegetables shine. Encourage kids to create their own platter designs, mixing and matching veggies for a personalized eating experience.
Mealtime Essentials
Sunshine Fruit Salad
10
30
4
Brighten up your day with a snack that’s a real ray of sunshine. This Sunshine Fruit Salad combines a medley of vibrant, juicy fruits that look dazzling on Ahimsa rainbow plates. It's a refreshing, sweet treat that's perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even as a healthy dessert. Packed with vitamins and bursting with flavors, it's a delightful way to enjoy the natural sweetness of fruits.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup mandarin oranges or tangerine segments
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 cup kiwi, sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- A drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of chia seeds (optional)
Preparation
- In a large bowl, gently toss the strawberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, kiwi, blueberries, and grapes. Make sure to mix them well while being careful not to bruise the fruit.
- Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This not only cools the fruit but also allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Spoon the chilled fruit salad onto Ahimsa rainbow plates. The variety of colors will stand out brilliantly against the plate, making the salad even more inviting.
- Garnishing each serving with some mint leaves for a touch of additional flavor. For a bit of extra sweetness or texture, drizzle with honey or sprinkle with chia seeds just before serving.
Presentation Tip
To make each serving special, arrange the fruit salad in layers or sections by color on the Ahimsa rainbow plates. It's a simple yet effective way to make healthy eating exciting and visually appealing for everyone at the table.
Colorful Quinoa Salad
15
15
4
Brighten up your mealtime with this Colorful Quinoa Salad. Packed with a rainbow of fresh veggies and fluffy quinoa, it's a nutritious choice that brings a refreshing burst of flavors and textures, and is sure to bring everyone to the table. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish, this salad is a great way to enjoy a variety of vegetables in one go.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
For the dressing
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (or agave syrup for a vegan option)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is fluffy and the water is absorbed. Let it cool to room temperature.
- While the quinoa is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and yellow bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, and honey. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with the prepared vegetables. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Presentation Tip
To make this Colorful Quinoa Salad really stand out, serve it on an Ahimsa rainbow plate, letting the vibrant colors of the vegetables contrast against the plate's hues. The rainbow of ingredients makes the dish visually appealing and highlights the variety of nutrients present in each bite.
A Feast for the Eyes and the Palate
These recipes are an opportunity to transform dining into a vibrant, joyful experience. Each dish, from the playful veggie platter to the refreshing quinoa salad, is designed to bring a splash of color and a burst of flavor to your table. Served on Ahimsa rainbow plates, these meals become even more special, turning everyday eating into a celebration of health, creativity, and the beauty of nature's palette.
Whether it's a light lunch, a hearty dinner, or a sweet treat, presenting food in a visually appealing way can encourage healthier eating habits and make every meal feel like a special occasion.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Mealtime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
