How to Make a Salmon Under the Sea Food Art Dinner Recipe with Your Kids!

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Near East. All opinions are my own. 

Making dinner doesn't have to be a chore when you cook alongside your kids. My oldest has been learning to cook since she was little and my 11-year-old son has just taken an interest in it. Since we have been teaching him the basics in the kitchen, we thought it was time to show him how to make a special dinner complete with a little added food art flair! 

Spring is here and we’ve  been doing some spring cleaning and clearing out of the pantry. One item we always make sure to keep in our pantry is Near East rice – our family loves the delicious blend of grains, herbs, and spices and how easy they are to prepare and some cook in minutes.

 

For our family cooking activity, we decided to  make an under-the-sea themed meal.  Salmon is the main dish and the side dish is where we got the most creative.  We made vegetable sea turtles on a "beach" of quinoa and brown rice. The Near East Quinoa and Brown Rice Blend adds a slightly crunchy and oh-so-delicious touch to this dinner. It's so simple to make but so fun!

The important thing when cooking with your kids is to focus on patience and remember to have a good time. It's not about making a flawless meal it's about building memories and teaching skills that will last a lifetime. So head to the store to pick up some Near East rice, along with a few other supplies, and follow my recipe below!

Ingredients: 1 box Near East Quinoa and Brown Rice Blend, 4 salmon fillets, 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter (may substitute with canola oil if desired), 1/4 cup fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, oregano, rosemary), 2 cloves of garlic, 1 head of broccoli, 1 12 oz. bag of sugar snap peas, lemon (optional).

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°. 

2. Follow the directions on the box to prepare Near East Quinoa and Brown Rice Blend. 

3. While rice is covered and simmering on low, place salmon in a glass baking dish. Top fillets with butter, herbs, and garlic. Bake in oven for 11-13 minutes. 

4. Have a parent cut three snap peas in half and trim one broccoli floret so that the stalk is very short. 

5. Place one salmon fillet and desired amount of rice blend on a plate. Arrange snap peas and broccoli on top of rice blend to make a turtle. You will need two arm flippers, two leg flippers, one head, and a shell. 

6. Serve with a lemon wedge if desired and your kids will love that they get to make and eat their own special dinner!

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