Yes while strolling though Mark & Spencer picking up some ingredients for a Sunday roast, I noticed a pack marked “flower sprout” I had never heard of this before. Further reading confirmed this is indeed a “new and exclusive vegetable”, and interestingly that it “arouse naturally from a crossing of Brussel sprouts and kale”. Finally there is a bold promise on the package of “a mild nutty flavour that will appeal to all”.

Now I like Brussel sprouts and I like kale, but I also know a lot of people don’t like either of these greens. So how do they taste?

Well I loved them!

The small sprouts look like wildly unfolded Brussels, and have a mixed light and dark green colour. First off they taste mildly of Brussel sprouts, then the flavour changes leaving an aftertaste closer to the strong chlorophyll and iron of kale.

It has a good texture too, the stalk of the sprouting leaves kept some “bite” while the leaves themselves held up well not going too soggy like sprouts can, but not quite having all the bite and firmer texture like kale.

So taste and texture are both good. It certainly went well with my roast chicken Sunday dinner, and would be great in stir fries. Another way to try them is with cheese sauce.

On the packet it says the flower sprouts were grown by George Read in Lincolnshire, but a quick look at their website doesn’t give any further clues about this new vegetable.

In fact flower sprouts aren’t mentioned anywhere

A quick Google search confirmed these are not in fact new they have been sold exclusively by M&S since 2010, However you can buy the seeds online from the flower sprouts creators Tozer Seeds, and grow them in your own garden!

At the official flower sprout website it says this product will be available in Waitrose soon.

Expect to see this interesting new “super food” in a supermarket near you soon!

Do you know of any other unusual vegetables which deserve to be in (or out) of our shopping baskets?

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The Food Curator

The Food Curator (AKA Michael Robinson) is an aficionado of all things food and bon viveur based in London. A passion for cooking and dining has driven him to put fingers to keyboard to bring you his thoughts on the world of food. When not writing, eating or cooking he has a love of American muscle cars. Pop on over to my Facebook page and let's start a Facebook food revolution together: http://tinyurl.com/thefoodcurator

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However, cooking for children, as any parent will know, is no easy task. They have their likes and dislikes, and probably a whole list of things they absolutely won’t touch. Unfortunately, all too often, the things kids don’t like are the things they need the most. It’s always that lump of broccoli or carrot stick that gets pushed around on the plate

If you have a hard time incorporating fruit and vegetables into your child’s diet in a way they enjoy, don’t despair just yet. A few small modifications to the way you prepare food can make all the difference. The following are a few tips that will help you make fruits and vegetables more appealing to your child.

1. Make Milkshakes and Smoothies

When it comes to fruit, you will have an easier time getting your five-year-old to drink a glass of banana milkshake or peach smoothie than to eat the fruit on its own. Because these drinks are meant to be healthy, you don’t want to add much sugar, so it’s best to choose naturally sweet fruits like blackberries, bananas, melons, cherries, red apples and tangerines.

2. Have Fun with Food

When mealtimes roll around, try not to make a big deal out of telling a child to eat their vegetables, as this will only make them focus on it. Prepare your child’s plate before they sit down at the table. This allows you to arrange the food in an attractive or even humorous way. A plate of peas and carrots could be turned into a smiley face, and a vegetable with a funny name like Zucchini or Bok Choy can be distracting and amusing.

3. Disguise the Vegetables

If your child has a difficult time eating vegetables, it may just be because he or she doesn’t like the look of them. Find ways to use vegetables in meals without your child even noticing that they are there. For example, thin slices of aubergine can be hidden in a cheesy piece of Lasagne, while finely grated carrots can easily be disguised in a fresh tomato sauce or soup.

4. Make Snacks Healthier

If your child often takes snacks along to school, make sure that you incorporate some fruits or vegetables rather than just handing them a bag of crisps. Make them tasty a fruit salad that they can take along in a Tupperware container. Just be sure not to use fruits that will go brown soon after they are chopped, such as apples or bananas, as this will put your child off.

5. Try New Things

Even with these tips, it may take some time before you figure out the best way to prepare fruits and vegetables for your child. Some kids may like stir fried vegetables; others may like them baked, while others may prefer them raw with a tasty dressing. Whatever you do, don’t get stuck in a rut. Mix it up every so often with new kid friendly recipes, and different types of fruits and vegetables.

These are just a few tips for improving your child’s diet, there are plenty more out there, and by using your own creativity you should be able to come up with many more. The key is to be patient and remain positive. Your child’s diet today will determine how healthy he or she will be in the future, so don’t underestimate the importance of the five a day rule.

A guest post from Samantha Harvey on behalf of Tasty Online Bingo – home to some great recipes and bingo promotions.

Author information

The Food Curator

The Food Curator (AKA Michael Robinson) is an aficionado of all things food and bon viveur based in London. A passion for cooking and dining has driven him to put fingers to keyboard to bring you his thoughts on the world of food. When not writing, eating or cooking he has a love of American muscle cars. Pop on over to my Facebook page and let's start a Facebook food revolution together: http://tinyurl.com/thefoodcurator

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