By JO ABI
There are food items I buy weekly because they are staples in my household. They are chicken mince, chicken drumsticks, basmati rice, thin dry spaghetti, carrots, cucumbers, potatoes, corn and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Here are the 5 kid-friendly dinners I am planning for this week with some leftovers for my lunch the next day. They can be easily spiced up at the last minute for parents so everyone will be happy and satisfied.
Monday: Creamy spaghetti with ricotta, zucchini and basil
This is such a brilliant dinner choice because for fussy eaters you can peel the zucchini skin off and they’ll never know it is even there. Plus, show me one child who doesn’t love creamy spaghetti.
After I serve my children I stir in extra zucchini and fresh basil for my husband and I.
Get the recipe here.
Tuesday: Meatballs with vegetable sticks
My kids love meatballs and not just with spaghetti. When you cook a flat meatball it’s actually a rissole but my children call them flat meatballs. I often use chicken mince instead of beef or pork mince and they are just as delicious.
We serve them with carrot and cucumber sticks for a simple and healthy dinner.
Get the recipe here.
Wednesday: Spicy potato, butternut squash, pea and paneer curry with orange-scented rice
Don’t be afraid to try spicy curries and casseroles. For children, all you do is use less herbs and spices. The milder flavour is lovely.
Served with what my children call ‘orange rice’, it will be a hit.
Get the recipe here.
Thursday: Roasted tomato, leek and mozzarella pizza
Yes, my little kids pick the tomatoes off but I don’t care, as long as they eat some of it which they usually do.
This pizza is a big hit in my family. My husband and I have gotten into the habit of piling on a rocket and parmasen salad on top of each slice. It is amazingly delicious.
Get the recipe here.
Friday: Parmesan and sage–crusted pork chops
Crumb anything and your kids will eat it. Think of all the foods you can crumb. Meat, vegetables…it’s endless and your children will love it.
You can even dip the meat and vegetables in pureed vegetables instead of egg, then the crumbs and then fry it up (or bake it).
Get the recipe here.
This article was originally published on iVillage.com.au here.
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Top Comments
I also hate it when people blame fussy eating on the parents. My son is 3, I only serve him one meal at dinner time, and he knows that will be all he is getting. He never eats it!!! (Btw my 4 year old is served exactly the same good and eats it every night. So yes, children come with different degrees of fussiness!!!)
I agree! These kids are fussy because they are allowed to be. In my house there are two choices "Take it, or leave it". My kids are fabulous healthy eaters. Fussy kids are made, not born.
I'm so sick of people making this kind of comment! Kids come with different temperaments- some are wired to be more flexible in general than others, including what they will eat. Blaming other parents for creating fussy eaters is vindictive. That's great that you've gotten your kids to eat what you want them to eat, but get back to us when you've done the same with a thousand kids with all sorts of temperaments and then i'll be impressed!