Pomegranate Avocado Salad and Familiarizing Kids with Different Foods

Hi everyone. I went to Edison , NJ yesterday which has the most amazing Indian supermarkets. My friend who is Indian guided me around the store and told me of her favorite products. I went NUTS! (check out the photos on the FB page and “like” the page if you would like to see photos that I don’t post here): http://www.facebook.com/pages/Take-Back-the-Kitchen/132788611808

Later in the afternoon I brought some of the exotic ingredients to my 11 elementary school aged kids to whom I teach healthy cooking every Tuesday. They loved tasting the sugar cane, the pomegranates and the puffed rice and chick pea crunchy and healthy snacks. The more kids are exposed to different foods in a social and fun setting, the more likely they will be to eat a better variety.

I’m hoping to familiarize these kids with new and exotic healthy foods and it is definitely working. The kids who were shy to try were chowing down by the end of the class.

Is there an ethnic restaurant or supermarket near you where you could entice your family to eat? You may be surprised by their adventurous eating. While you’re at it, try this gorgeous salad that I created for my impromptu Indian lunch today with friends. They loved it!

Avocado Pomegranate Salad
seeds of 1/2 pomegranate, seeded by cutting pomegranate in 1/2 and soaking the pomegranate halves in water so white pith loosens. When the pith is soft, pull the seeds out
one avocado cut into 1/2 inch dice
one pear with skin, cut into 1/2 inch dice (use skin only if it is an organic pear)
2 TBS sliced almonds
tsp olive oil or more to taste
salt and pepper to taste

Gently toss the pomegranate seeds, avocado and pear together
drizzle olive oil, more to taste
Mix in a pinch of salt and ground pepper to taste, top with the almonds and enjoy!