This is a blog post for takingthekids.com. Check out these healthy recipes for kids that are perfect for cooking out on campfires.

GRILLED TORTILLA PIZZA

A twist on traditional grilled meals like hot dogs and burgers.  This is also a kid friendly way to sneak in some veggies while still being healthy and quick.

Difficulty: easy
Prep: 10 min.
Cook: 5 min.
Serves: 4
Serving Size- 1 tortilla

Ingredients:

4- 6” wheat or gluten free tortillas
1 c marinara sauce
8 oz. cooked meat of your choice (pepperoni, sausage, chicken, ham, etc.)
1 c veggies of your choice (peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, etc.)
16 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 Tbsp. olive oil

Prep/ Directions:

1. Lightly brush both sides of your tortillas with olive oil. Get your toppings organized. Pre- cook desired meats if needed. Preheat grill to medium.
2. Gather all of your toppings, tortillas, tongs, spoon (for sauce), brush, metal spatula and cookie sheets (to transfer after cooking) near your grill within easy reach.
3. Lay your oil brushed tortillas on the grill – leave the grill open, as it will only take 1 to 1-1/2 minutes to grill the crust.
4. Check on them and when you can see the grill marks, flip them over with your tongs.
5. Now, sauce and top your pizzas quickly with sauce, meat, cheese and veggies.  Have everything ready to toss on quickly to avoid burning the crust.  Once you’ve got your pizza topped, close the grill lid so heat can reflect down onto the top. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, checking after about two minutes for cheese to melt. Remove each pizza with a metal spatula- place on tray to transfer.

HAWAIIAN SKEWERS

A healthy grilled snack or meal free of refined sugar and high in protein.  Use fresh pineapple and chemically pure ham.

Difficulty: easy
Prep: 5 min.
Cook: 5 min.
Serves: 6
Serving Size- 1 skewer

Ingredients:

1 lb. Nitrate free deli ham
3 cups fresh pineapple cut into large chunks
6 long skewers for grill

Directions:

Poke ham and pineapple onto skewers leaving approximately 1.5” on each end.  Each skewer should have approximately 3 oz. of ham and ½ c pineapple. Grill until marks appear and serve right away.

GRILLED BANANA BOATS

This is a healthy alternative to s’mores. Same great flavor with less guilt.

Difficulty: easy
Prep: 5 min.
Cook: 5 min.
Serves: 4
Serving Size- 1 banana

Ingredients:

4 bananas
¼ c shredded coconut
1 c dark chocolate chips and/or peanut butter chips
1 c mini marshmallows

Directions:

Peel banana and slice down the middle.  Stuff with approximately ¼ c marshmallows and chocolate chips. Wrap loosely in aluminum foil and place on grill for 3-5 minutes or until chocolate melts slightly. Eat with spoon and ENJOY!

Grilling safety tips:

• Avoid foods that may produce dripping fat. Foods that can create hot, drippy fat as they cook—certain cuts of steak, bacon—may cause flare-ups and should be avoided.  Avoid cooking with oils, this may cause a flame flare up too.  A Dutch oven offers more reliable heat than a frying pan with added protection from splatters.

• Keep it cold or not, nothing in between. Pulling raw meat or poultry out of your fridge for your outing? Make sure you keep the food well packed in ice leading up to grill time: Bacteria can grow dangerously on food that warms to between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, conditions that create a breeding ground for food-borne pathogens. Food should never sit out for more than three hours—or one hour, if the outdoor temperature is very hot. When grilling, always use a meat thermometer. Food needs to be heated to between 140 degrees Fahrenheit and 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any food-borne pathogens.
• “If it goes in the campfire it stays in the campfire.” This rule is the most important to establish before the campfire is even lit. A child may want to fish out the lost marshmallow, but make sure you have plenty extra so it can burn away if something drops in the fire.

• Put out, clean up, and secure your site. Always have a bucket of water or sand on hand to extinguish the fire when you’re done with it. Once the flames have been extinguished and the embers stop hissing, stir the ashes using a metal skewer. Pour on more water or sand. Repeat this process until the ashes are completely cold and wet or smothered.

Dr. Kantor’s greatly anticipated new children’s book, The Green Box League of Nutritious Justice, is now available. Be sure to order this highly reviewed book, filled with healthy living tips for the whole family. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.