Look for firm, high-quality ginger root without any soft or mushy areas. Check the roots and choose pieces without mold. The outside surface of the root may have a light gloss. Choose a piece of ginger root with the least number of knots and intersections branching to smaller sections for the best taste. Select either mature or young ginger root. According to The World's Healthiest Foods website, only the mature variety requires peeling to prepare it.

Peel the mature ginger root with a paring knife by placing it onto a cutting board and slicing only the skin carefully from the root. If you use young ginger root, simply scrub it well with a vegetable brush and use it without peeling. Slice the ginger root into 1/8-inch slices and then dice each slice finely. Another option is to grate the ginger root with a kitchen grater to prepare fresh mounds of ginger root that are ideal for adding to recipes.

Whip up a stir-fry with ingredients that will complement the ginger root flavors. Use broccoli, carrots, snow peas, cauliflower, green peppers, water chestnuts, bean sprouts and green onions to add nutritious vitamins and attractive colors to a stir-fry. Use chicken, turkey, beef, pork or even skip the meat altogether and serve a meatless side dish that's brimming with delicious ingredients. Add a packet of seasoning mix of your choice to boost flavor without adding fuss. The point at which you add the ginger root to the stir-fry will create a stronger or more subtle taste. Because you're cooking for kids, try adding the grated or diced ginger at the beginning of the cooking process so it mellows.

Stir-fry served over a bed of rice may be the typical presentation, but you can get creative with this as well. If your kids prefer pasta, try serving stir-fry over orzo -- tiny pasta pieces that resemble rice in size and shape. Round out the menu with a fruit salad featuring colorful melon, grapes and berries tossed in a creamy dressing and a basket of dinner rolls for a complete meal that will please the whole family.