As the school year ramps up, the hustle and bustle of busy weeknights can make meal prep feel like a daunting task. Between homework, extracurricular activities, and the daily demands of family life, finding the time to cook nutritious, kid-friendly recipes can be challenging. 

However, feeding your family healthy, tasty food doesn't have to be time-consuming. With the right ingredients, such as flavor-infused olive oil and balsamic vinegar, you can whip up easy and delicious meals that your kids will love, even on the busiest nights. At The Olive Tap, we hear this challenge daily and thought our loyal customers would appreciate a few tips and ideas.

The Importance of Healthy, Quick Meals

We all know how important it is to provide our kids with nutritious meals that support their growth and learning. A balanced diet helps maintain their energy levels, improves concentration, and supports overall well-being. But when time is short, it can be tempting to reach for processed or fast foods, which often lack the essential nutrients children need.

That's where easy, healthy recipes come in. By incorporating simple, wholesome ingredients into your cooking, you can ensure your kids are eating well without spending hours in the kitchen. And one of the best ways to add flavor quickly and easily is by using quality flavor-infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Thankfully, you can find such quality oils and vinegars at The Olive Tap On-line or one of our Retail Locations (click on Our Locations).

How Flavor-Infused Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Can Help

Flavor-infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars are not just for gourmet cooking; they are versatile tools that can speed up meal prep and add a burst of flavor to everyday dishes. Here’s how they can make your weeknight dinners both delicious and stress-free:

1. Enhanced Flavors Without Extra Ingredients: Infused olive oils, like garlic, lemon, orange, or basil, add layers of flavor to your dishes without the need for additional herbs or spices. This not only simplifies your cooking but also reduces prep time.
2. Versatile Use in a Variety of Dishes: Whether you're roasting vegetables, marinating chicken, or dressing a salad, a splash of flavored balsamic vinegar can elevate the taste instantly. For example, a drizzle of balsamic glaze (or Vincotto) or a thicker riserva style balsamic vinegar over grilled chicken or roasted veggies adds a sweet and tangy note that kids find irresistible.
3. Health Benefits: Quality olive oils are rich in antioxidants and healthy fats assuming you buy 100% extra virgin olive oil or flavored olive oil with a EVOO base. Balsamic vinegars add natural sweet flavors from grapes, instead of many dressings or recipes using white or brown sugar for the sweet ingredient. Using olive oils and vinegars in your cooking not only boosts the flavor but also enhances the nutritional value of your meals, supporting your kids' health in a delicious way.

Quick and Easy Kid-Friendly Recipes

Here are some ideas to get you started on those busy school nights:

• Garlic-Infused Olive Oil Pasta: Cook some spaghetti, toss it with garlic-infused olive oil, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. This simple dish is ready in minutes and is sure to be a hit with kids. Sneak in some spinach when tossing the pasta for a healthy and colorful twist. See the Lemon Pasta Recipe below.
• Balsamic Glazed Chicken: Marinate chicken breasts in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, then grill or bake. Serve with a side of steamed vegetables for a quick and healthy dinner. Try this with different flavors and check out our “Perfect Pairings”! Tap’s Tip: Marinades are best using a 1 to 1 ratio of oil to vinegar. A 100% kid-friendly dinner!
• Lemon Olive Oil or Orange Olive Oil Roasted Vegetables: Chop up your favorite vegetables, drizzle them with lemon-infused olive oil or orange olive oil, and roast in the oven. This dish is perfect for sneaking in those extra veggies. For even more flavor, sweeten the veggies up with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
• Balsamic Berry Salad: Toss fresh berries with a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar (we love it with Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar) for a sweet and tangy snack or side dish that kids will love.
• Herb-Infused Olive Oil Popcorn: Air-pop some popcorn and toss (or spray) with herb-infused olive oil for a savory snack that’s both healthy and delicious.

In addition to our easy recipe ideas above, The Olive Tap has a library of tasty oil and vinegar recipes using 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Flavored Oils and Balsamic Vinegars.

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
• Chef Pat’s Pasta with Lemon Oil Dressing
• Apricot Balsamic Glazed Chicken
• Berry Caprese Salad
• Squash with Cranberry Balsamic Vinegar and Walnuts
• Hickory Smoked Pork Tenderloin

If you have some ingredients and need ideas, type in your ingredients on our Recipe Search and explore. Great creative and adapt the recipes with the olive oils and vinegars you have on hand. Let the kids create new ideas too, that is the fun in cooking healthy meals with the family!

Make Weeknight Dinners Easy and Delicious

Busy school nights don’t have to mean sacrificing healthy eating. With the help of flavor-infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars, you can prepare easy, kid-friendly recipes that are both nutritious and packed with flavor. These ingredients simplify meal prep, allowing you to serve up tasty dishes that your family will enjoy—even on the busiest of nights.