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8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • July 2022 WRITTEN BY DEBRA CAFFREY practical pantry Put It On a STICK! STICK! I'm no statistician, but I'd say you probably increase the chances that your kids are going to eat something by at least 50 percent if you put the food on skew- ers! After all, who doesn't love "food on a stick?" It's fun, easy to assemble, portable, interesting, and it somehow makes everything seem entertaining, even veggies. It's sort of like kitchen magic! Food served on sticks or skewers seems to automatically suggest that it's time to party and relax, so this concept might just work on your picky eaters to try some items they normally wouldn't on a traditional plate. You may have already tried (and succeeded!) with the "food on a stick" concept during your kids' toddler and lunch box years. But as everyone gets older, it doesn't mean the fun has to end. And fun food isn't just for kids, either! As I continue to be the meal provider for my family year after year, I need to keep changing things up not just for everyone else's satisfaction, but also for my own sense of creativity to avoid getting into ruts. Cooking ruts can cause burn out, which can ultimately lead to a family spending more money than they should on take out, or the home cook simply resenting the responsibility. I urge you to push through those feelings by always thinking about how you can spin com- mon meals and do something a little out of the box. "Dinner on a stick" is cer- tainly one way! The "food on a stick" concept is one that has endless possibilities. You can do pancake, waffle or French toast bites with fruit for breakfast, dessert "pops," mini burger skewers, salad or sushi sticks, meatballs, kabobs, even chicken nuggets and fries! The goal is to think of how you can take typical meals and "deconstruct" them into bite-size elements to be loaded onto a stick or skewer. It's also a great way to sneak in some healthy items. For instance, you could do bite-size grilled cheese pieces on sticks and add some grape tomatoes to repre- sent the "tomato soup." Just maybe, it'll entice your kids to give them a try! Club Sandwich on a Stick Elements • bite-size bread chunks • cheese cubes • deli meats of your choice • cornichons • grape tomatoes • red onion • iceberg lettuce • bacon pieces and avocado (these don't skewer well, so put in a bowl)! On the Side: • ranch dressing • garlic mayo • mustard • potato chips For something a bit more "grown up" yet still fun, here is my "food on a stick" take on a classic club sandwich. It's all the elements of the sandwich plus a few extras, as well as some fun condiments for dip- ping. Best of all, there's barely any cooking involved. What else can you think to put on a stick? Get skew- ering and have fun!