This summer I’m on a mission to help my kids understand the difference in flavors between processed and homemade foods and why it is hard to replicate certain types of favorite snack (junk) foods based on flavor profiles alone. You might be reading this and be saying, “duh!” but give me a minute to explain.
Most kids I know love packaged snacks. Hecks, I love a certain type of tortilla chips that start with the letter “D” because of the artificial flavor even though they stain my fingers a frightening colored orange. Although I don’t buy those chips at the store, it’s hard for me to resist a few chips at picnics and barbeques. I probably eat them 2-3 times a year. But kids in general, including mine, have developed their palates around the addicting flavors of processed foods which is very much part of the Standard American Diet, also known as S.A.D.
There is nothing more frustrating when I go out of my way to make something very tasty only to have one of my kids say, “it doesn’t taste like (fill in the blank). For example, my homemade baked fries do not taste like the ones you get in a fast food restaurant. I am glad they don’t because I’m not aiming to replicate the flavors of fast food. I want my kids to appreciate the flavor of a freshly cut potato baked to perfection where they are slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with a touch of salt. Can any of you relate to what I’m saying?
In all fairness to my kids, I know they appreciate all the food I make from our family kitchen. It’s only when I see their expectations for something I’ve made falls short because they’re confused by why mine doesn’t taste like the ones you get from a store. However, we’re making great strides in this area. Thank goodness.
Tonight I made these Zesty Baked Tortilla Chips aka Spicy Baked Flaxseed Tortilla Chips. The inspiration behind the recipe isn’t from my once-in-awhile-guilty-pleasure-orange-tortilla-chips. Instead, I came up with this zesty blend of spices inspired by Trader Joe’s Spicy Soy and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips. This recipe isn’t trying to replicate TJ’s version, they are just inspired by them. By mixing ground flaxseeds into the spice blend, my kids have no idea the chips they are eating also has the added benefit of additional Omega 3 fatty acids. And in case you’re wondering, my kids loved these chips – no comparison was discussed. I can’t stop eating them, they are so damn good and taste very gourmet.
I’m posting the step by step photos here along with the ingredient list but if you would like the full recipe, it can be found here on my latest PBS Parents post. Enjoy!
- corn tortillas
- Non-stick cooking spray
- grated parmesan cheese
- garlic salt
- ground flaxseed
- onion powder
- chili powder
- paprika
- The complete recipe can be found on my PBS Parents Post, here.
These look fantastic. I saved the recipe to make them. Thanks for sharing!!
Good read. There may be no substitute for something homemade that’s made with love. Thanks for sharing.
Wow.. i love the chips and flaxseed is wonderful!
This is an excellent alternative to those pesky D tortilla chips. Who isn’t a sucker for those? I hope your kids enjoy them!
These sound fantastic, Alice. I love being able to find good substitutions for the processed stuff. I want to make sure that even in my home (with no kids) I can still get my “fix” for the bad stuff when making a healthy alternative.
Great snack for the olympics. I will try it this afternoon. My husband loves tortilla chips.
I love using olive oil in a mist bottle for my own non-stick spray. Bet it would work great here.
I love this idea! I am also committed to teaching my son (and my husband, and my friends, and my readers) the difference between real and packaged food, and this is a great start. Also good for those lie-on-the-couch-and-watch-Downton-Abbey moments 🙂
OMG, this is such a great idea!!!! I’m going to try these on my kids 🙂
My 2-year-old surprised me the other day when she came to the kitchen. We had an odd bag of chips in the pantry and for some reason she knew we had a stash (probably saw us unloading it in the pantry). It just made me laugh because the other day she said, “Mommy, I smell orange chips…!” I guess, to her, orange chips are normal. It is now my job to help her un-learn that – hahaha!
flaxseed chips!? You can call these healthy and have as many as you like! 🙂
These look great! I might even buy them over the shelf over those D- chips…but licking the fake cheese off your fingers is SOO good…lol
These look delicious! I had to laugh at your kids comparing homemade items with processed foods. My son won’t eat made-from-scratch cakes because they don’t have that “boxed chemical flavor” that he loves so much. Ick!
Yes! Absolutely!
Can you brush with EVOO instead of using nonstick cooking spray (Pam?)?