The school summer holidays are in full swing and many families are taking well deserved breaks to foreign climes. Travelling with children raises a number of considerations, one of which is the issue of food. Research by Emirates
Holidays has revealed that 55% of parents
worry about what their kids will eat when they’re away, when their home comforts and go-to meals may not be available. 64% of worried parents will even stash emergency food in their suitcase, with the most popular items to take being biscuits (55%) and crisps (49%). However in reality almost half
(45%) of brave British kids are willing to try at least one or two local dishes on
holiday as they embark on a family culinary adventure. Little ones experiment with unfamiliar dishes and flavours when on holiday with 35% trying curry, 49% eating flatbreads and 28% munching on olives.
When families get home, a third of parents are pleased
to find their children are more comfortable trying more unusual dishes –
however 40% confess their kids revert straight back to their old eating habits
as soon as the plane touches down, with 62% of children choosing pizza and 53% choosing pasta as their first choice foods.
To help families experience some amazing foodie delights, Emirates
Holidays has partnered with a selection of chefs from their top family hotels
to create a series of exclusive ‘Little Foodies’ recipes for download so
families can cook together, expand their taste buds and prepare for - or remind
themselves of - their holiday culinary adventures. You will be able to taste your way around the world with Emirates Holidays this summer.
Freddy and I have tried out one of the Little Foodies recipes. Not only do we love cooking up a storm in the kitchen, we also love exploring the ingredients and dishes of other cultures. We aren't venturing abroad this year, but the Emirates Holidays 'Little Foodies' recipe cards are giving us a gastronomical adventure in the comfort of our own home, transporting our taste buds with the local flavours of exciting destinations.
We were excited to try the Traditional Mauritian Chilli Bites made with yellow split peas, shallots and onions, flavoured with cumin, curry leaf and chilli. This plant-based recipe is filled with authentic flavours and children can get involved, helping to prepare them in the kitchen.
We used a food processor to make the Chilli Bites, making it a quick and easy recipe. The split peas and spices are processed to a thick paste before pulsing through chopped onion and shallot. Just be sure to soak the split peas overnight so they are ready for using. Kids can get involved by adding ingredients to the food processor and helping shape the bites ready for an adult to fry.
Freddy enjoyed discovering all the different ingredients; their aromas and flavours. Cooking with kids is a great way to get them interested in a range of foods, encouraging them to try new things and explore exciting new tastes.
I deep fried the chilli bites and served them up hot with a bowl of sweet chilli sauce for dipping. Freddy was really impressed with our handiwork. The bites had a nice kick of warming chilli and the fragrance of cumin and curry leaf added an authentic aroma. The crispy bites had a soft inside and tasted delicious!
This signature recipe has been created by a top chef at the Emirates Holidays Mauritian Attitude Hotels Resort. The Chilli Bites are adventurous while still being kid friendly, inspired by the Indian immigrants who made their way to this idyllic island in the early nineteenth century.
You can find this recipe for Traditional Mauritian Chilli Bites in the Emirates Holidays Little Foodies Recipe Cards. This free to download collection of family friendly recipes take your taste buds on a culinary tour around the world, allowing you to discover new foods or relive gastronomic holiday memories.
