When dealing with fussy eaters, take a tip from Annabel Karmel, author of "The Fussy Eater's Recipe Book." Prepare foods that look kid friendly, but are packed with cleverly disguised healthy options. Presentation can be as important as preparation, as kids are more likely to eat foods that are served in creative containers or with out of the ordinary utensils. Expand the recipes of basic children's fare to create variety and add nutrition.
Macaroni And Cheese
Often considered a favorite of children, macaroni and cheese is a baked combination of pasta and cheese sauce, topped with a layer of melted cheese. Alter a traditional mac and cheese recipe to create a healthier version by using low-fat milk and cheese. Puree cooked carrots, sweet potatoes or cauliflower and stir into the cheese sauce mixture.
Chili Mac
Brown 1 lb. lean ground beef, chicken or turkey. Add a 12 oz. can of diced tomatoes or puree if your child won't eat tomato chunks. Stir into 1 lb. of shells or elbow pasta that has been cooked al dente. Add a can of rinsed black or kidney beans. Stir in 4 oz. each of grated cheddar and jack cheeses. Bake in oven or pour into crock pot and simmer on low until pasta is soft and cheeses are melted. Serve to kids along with their own sides of sour cream and taco toppings, such as chopped lettuce, tomato, peppers and onion. This will make it more appealing for kids to sample toppings they are able to select and serve to themselves.
Bubble-Up Pizza Casserole
Brown 1 lb. lean ground beef, chicken or turkey in a pan. Add a jar of tomato sauce. Open one can of refrigerator biscuits, separate and cut each biscuit into quarters. Add biscuit pieces to meat and sauce mixture, stirring until all biscuits are coated. Stir in 6 oz. grated mozzarella cheese and pour entire mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle additional 2 oz. of grated mozzarella on top and bake until biscuits bubble up and top layer starts to brown.
Just the name of this easy to create casserole sounds exciting to kids. Invite them to help with the preparation and then watch through the oven window as the biscuits actually pop up during the baking process.
Porcupine Meatballs
Use brown rice to add fiber and fun to these meatballs for kids. The rice will poke out of the meatballs, appearing as spikes or porcupine quills. Shape into miniature sized balls, pierce with a toothpick to entice your picky eater to sample these, cocktail style. Mix ½ cup of uncooked brown rice with 1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey. Add 4 tbsp. of tomato soup. Shape mixture into meatballs and place in baking pan. Pour remaining soup from can over meatballs and bake approximately one hour until meatballs are cooked through.
Loaded Muffins
Forget the pot pie, and bake chicken and veggies into a kid-friendly muffin instead. Combine cooked chicken and mixed veggies with a package of corn muffin mix. Add milk or water and bake in muffin pan according to directions on the box. Line the muffin pan with pretty cupcake papers to add visual appeal. Make good use of leftover roasted chicken and vegetable by creating these baked "goodies" that can also be easily packed for lunch.
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