Conference turris::cooks

    My kids also like 
    
    		fish sticks
    		cold steamed/boiled shrimp w/ketchup
    		kielbasa
    		ham
    		pork chops
    
    				Kathy
    

    It has been quite a few years since I have fed young children (my
    youngest is 26) but I always found that finger foods were always
    popular. Raw vegtables, cut up fruit, peanut butter on things like
    apple slices, celery, and different kinds of crackers. Also have
    them help in making the selection once or twice a week, and make
    the choices between to new or not so popular items, like choose
    between corn and green beans. Watch what they choose and start using
    that item more frequently. When ever you are having a large family
    meal, insist on "no thank you" helpings. This is when a child insists
    that they don't like something, a small serving (tsp full or tbls
    full) is serverd to them and they must eat only that amount, Make
    sure that it is substantially less than a full serving, and don't
    make it a stressful experience. 
    
    Another thing to do is to introduce soups, but serve in in a cup
    or mug. Make the experience pleasent. Don't rush them. It is not
    uncommon for children to not like sauces and gravies, they are probably
    better off never learning to like them. Don't just serve something
    because some one else says theit children like it. Introduce foods
    that are popular in your family, since that is what they will be
    exposed to the most. 

    I strongly agree with [.-1] : "insist on "no thank you" helpings". 
    I've found that many of my daughter's favorite foods are ones that she
    was resistant to at first.  Merely pandering to children's whims may be
    convenient for us parents, but it hardly prepares them for making sound
    nutritional decisions later in life, not to mention the immediate
    health considerations.

    In my house the "no thank you" helpings are called "one to try and
    one to make sure"  -- or in other words two bites worth.  That has
    always seemed to work well for us.
    

    The best way to get children to try something new is to 
    let them help in the preparation.

    I have had good luck by letting the child help make the dish.
    My two year old will put the bowl on the table while the three
    year old stirs, etc.  It's amazing how when they help to make 
    something they will eat it with enthusiasm when normally they 
    would refuse to eat it.  Must be a sense of pride or participation.
    Of course this only works if the kid is just being stubborn about
    trying new things.  If he hates the taste of liver there is no
    way this will get him to like it.

    -JFK- (my kids love liver!)

	My three favorite recipes as a kid... the first two use hotdogs.

	Karen

Spanish Rice Pronto

5 frankforts, sliced 
2 medium onions, sliced 
1 Green pepper, chopped (optional) 
2 C Minute Rice 
2 C hot water 
3-8 oz cans tomato sauce
1-1/2 tsp salt
dash pepper
3/4 tsp mustard

Start browning onion and pepper in 1/4 C bacon drippings or in oil. Add
frankforts and then rice. Cook and stir over high heat until lightly browned.
add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Bring quickly to boil, reduce heat, and
simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. 

Frankfurts and Noodles

4 C egg noodles
2 C sliced onions 
2 small peppers chopped
1 C chopped celery
2-3 franks per person
1 large can tomatoes
2-8 oz cans tomato sauce

Cook noodles. Meanwhile brown onions, peppers, celery and frankfurts. Add to
cooked noodles along with tomatoes and tomato sauce. Season with celery salt,
seasoned salt, pepper to taste. 

American Chop Suey

1/2 lb ground beef browned
1/4 C chopped onion browned
1/4 C chopped green pepper browned (optional)
1-8 oz can tomato sauce
3/4 C macaroni cooked

Mix all ingredients. Season to taste.

    I never made anything special for kids, they always did eat whatever I
    cooked for the whole family and never took "no for an answer" they
    always ate everything I served and it was the greatest thing, we never
    had a problem going out to restaurants or to visit relatives etc etc.
    I used to introduce new foods very cautiosly, a bit at a time and
    repeating often so they got used to it (whatever it was) and as I said
    before, they HAD to try.  They are now 23, 22, 14 and they LOVE all
    kinds of food... (I used to give them 1/2 chicken liver with carrots,
    potatoes and onions when they were 4 months old in place of the
    standard jar of baby food...at least it was fresh and cooked just for
    them instead of what you get in the store that nobody knows HOW LONG it
    had been on the shelf...) by the time they were 1 year old they ATE
    whatever food we had.

Not a parent, but two observations about getting children to eat new things:

Always have a favorite Aunt, Uncle, or friend offer new food the first time.
I get my friends' children to try many things they refuse from their parents.
Remember, the refusals can be a very good form of manipulation - yes, kids
DO manipulate their parents, how else are they going to feel like they have
any control of their lives??  Don't give in, don't make a big deal out of
it, make it clear that you will serve what you want to eat and they can
eat what they want of it.  Food is one of the biggest centers for conflict
within the families I know with young children.

To broaden their dietary horizens, use a favorite food as the base on which
to piggy-back a new dietary experience....lots of things can be added to
macaroni and cheese, for example, and then they can be offered again without
the macaroni and cheese.  Vegetables, lots of veggies go down well with
mac and cheese..

I would work to encourage more vegetables and more grains over a period of
time, and I would try to focus them away from fried food to broiled, baked
or steamed foods.  Remember, as children get older, their palate gets more
sophisticated, too.  I used to hate all forms of cheese until I discovered
cheeseburgers - the start of a long love affair with cheese.  I also learned
to like broiled fish because it was repeatedly served and I was forced to
taste it each time - that was the rule at home...you must taste.  As my
palate grew up, I learned to like it very much.

I also have the rule for all kids that eat at my home...barring allergies,
they have to TRY everything I serve them - if they don't want to finish
the food, fine, but no hysterics, no tantrums, no fuss - they just don't
eat it.  They are not forced to finish their dinners.  However, if a child
does not eat a reasonable meal, I won't deliver seconds of "favorite food"
like mashed potatoes, nor will I deliver a sweet dessert.

Additional note to 2017.9

If a child does not like dinner and ends up hungry later, I am willing to
offer fruit or other healthy snacks to take care of the hunger...I never use
food as blackmail - which is what the last paragraph sounded like.

    When my family was growing (we have 7 children) so mealtime was very
    much a social & happy time. My wife of 36 years is a nurse and very
    careful of balanced, nutritional meal/food preparation.. Our #1 rule
    was 3 full meals well prepared in adequate quantities.. everyone
    helped- in setting an attractive table and in serving and preparation.
    If an item was served that someone did not like; they did without.
    There were times when they had visited other friends and tried the 
    manipulation trick of "oooh I don't like that".. no problem!! They ate
    the meal prepared or went hungry. They soon learned that they were 
    much healthier than their friends and have all grown into healthy
    adults..and we have 9 "healthy" grandchildren with #10 due Christmas
    eve.(C section__ that way you can control birth dates-- Ha)  <DICK>
    

    Kids will usually eat anything as long as it's between 2 slices
    of bread.
    
    There is a GREAT invention on the market today but you must have
    Cable TV to buy it or you have to go to a "home show."  It's called
    the "SNACK-MASTER" and sells for $49.95.
    
    I've got the TV commercial on tape and can get you the # to call
    if you would like to order this contraption.
    
    I have one and I don't know how I ever lived without it.  (Kind
    of like the feeling I had after I bought the Microwave oven)
    
    
    Here's a description:
    
    Looks like a waffle iron (kinda).  Teflon coated so clean-up only
    requires wiping this thing out with a papertowel.  Never immerses
    in water.  Sit's on countertop.
    
    What does it do:
    
    Lay 2 slices of bread (UNBUTTERED---saves on calories) on the griddle,
    pile on anything you want
    
       i.e.  pizza sauce, pepperoni, cheese, olives
    
    Lay 2 more slices of bread on top
    
    Close the lid and wait TWO (2) minutes.
    
    You have now made yourself 4, triangular "hot pocket" type sandwiches.
    
    The machine seals the bread so there is absolutely no mess.
    
    Here's where the kids come in................Let the kids make
    sandwiches out of whatever you are having for dinner, veggies and
    all.
    
    This machine also fries eggs, does pancakes, omelets, cornbread,
    cupcakes (only 4 minutes), apple and cherry turnovers, and a multitude
    of other things.
    
    Again, don't know how I ever lived without it.
    
    P.S.  Makes the best grilled cheese and reuben pockets in only 2
    minutes.
    

    Re: .12 
     What you have is better known as a "pie iron" They have been
    around sdince colonial days. If you were ever in Scouts you should have
    seen them.. Newer versions are Teflon lined. They have a 30-36" handle
    for cooking out of doors or over your fire place... they retail here in
    Colorado Springs @ Cooks for $6 for the round ones and $7.50 for the
    rectangular ones--- they ARE alot of fun!! I carry several in my RV.
                                                              <DICK

    We called that thing a "pie iron", too.  One of my friends has a
    primitive cabin out on an island with no electricity, and lunch there
    is often something or other stuffed between slices of bread and toasted
    over a fire in the "pie iron".  Kids love it!
    
    When my cousins and I were kids, my brother and I learned to eat
    everything, but my two cousins fussed, so my aunt cooked them what they
    would eat.  My oldest cousin lived for most of her young life on
    Cheerios, hot dogs, and canned peas.  Ycch!  She is still real skinny
    (she is approximately 40 now), so maybe there is something to this
    method after all!  I sure wouldn't fix (barring allergies) special
    meals for one child just to prevent tamtrums, but I guess most parents
    cave in after enough consecutive mealtime tantrums.

    Here it is.  If you are interested in ordering the SNAK-MASTER,
    get your credit card ready and call this number:
    
        1 - 800 - 441- 1717
    
    Enjoy.

    I'd like to thank everybody so far for all your suggestions for ways
    to get my children to eat more varied things.  Your comments and ideas
    have been terrific!
    
    I especially liked the idea of having someone else introduce a new food
    to the children.  This has happened to me quite by accident (unplanned)
    and it works great!  I'm going to make an effort to plan more of these
    "accidental" introductions of new food.
    
    I also think it's a good idea to get the kids involved in making
    dinner, but 90% of the time this isn't possible for me.  I'm a single
    parent and meal-time is usually pretty rushed and stressful.  In the
    morning, we make a mad dash out to school and work.  When I get home,
    they constantly DEMAND my attention because they haven't seen me all
    day.  As a result, I try to prepare something simple and quickly to
    stop them from nagging at me.  If they don't want what I've made, I
    tell them to leave the table, that's all there is...BUT later if they
    tell me they're hungry I allow them to have cold cereal.  I weaken 
    because I don't want them to go hungry and also, they'll whine until
    they get something.  I'm going to take your "cue" though and PLAN on
    at least one peaceful, relaxed evening meal once during the week. 
    There's no problem in doing it on the weekend.  When I do get them
    involved, they're very happy about it.
    
    I find that my children like plain, simple things and I'd prefer 
    something more interesting and delicious.  However, as a result of
    some of your ideas, they have tried egg noodles with butter and they
    love it - want to know when they're going to have it again!  
    
    Somebody also suggested offering A BITE of something, and my daughter
    was willing to try one string bean the other day.  She said it was real
    good and would even eat TWO the next time!  What a kid, huh?!
    
    Anyway, this was awfully long-winded, but it's been great hearing from
    all of you.  Again, I appreciate everyone's advice - THANKS !!!
    

A dish from my husband's childhood:

                              CHICKEN YUMMIES
                              ---------------
                  (with a name like that, what kid won't eat it?!?!)


	Ingredients:

		1 chicken breast per person
		2 slices of deli ham per person
		2-3 slices of mozzarella per person

	Melt some butter in a frying pan, and brown the ham.  Remove the
	ham, add more butter if needed, and cook the chicken in the 
	butter, turning as needed, until done.  

	Put the chicken breasts in a baking dish, add ham on top, and
	then the slices of mozzarella.  Put under the broiler until the
	cheese is bubbly and brown.  Serve.

	Quick, easy, taste good...and the kids can even help!


	We have this with pasta on the side.  Cook some vermicelli (or
	spaghetti, even), sprinkle with basil (we like a lot), and mix
	in freshly grated parmesan.  It's a sticky mess, but it's good!


--Sharon

    Introduce your kids to pita pocket bread. Then and have fun figuring
    neww and different ways to stuff the bread.

    Just wondering if there is a difference in the kinds of pie iron's
    described in .12 and .13.  The cost difference is so great -
    $7.50 - $49.95.  
    
    Is the $49.95 brand more elaborate?
    
    Thanks,
    Amy
    

    The $49.95 on is electric and the $7.5 one is used on the stove.
    I have a $7.50 one and it works great.  My sons favorite is 
    a grilled cheese.  He calls the sandwiches made in one of these
   "Squished Sandwiches"

    
    Steve

    I believe .13 (pie iron) is something you cook with outdoors or
    over a fireplace.
    
    The snack master is an electric appliance that looks similar to
    a waffle iron.  I leave mine out on the counter at all times.  I
    don't think a day goes by that someone in the family doesn't use
    the thing.
    
    I love it.
    
    

    Thanks for the replies.  I appreciate it.
    
    Also  - is there a model number for the Snak Master.  If you
    have it, could you post it here.
    
    Thanks,
    Amy

    
    Here's one that we have for quick snacks in our family -
    
    Take slices of bread and cover with shredded cheddar cheese or whatever
    your fave cheese is - I like to use cheddar and shredded parmesan.
    
    Place them under the broiler until the cheese melts and begins to
    bubble and the edge of the bread begins to brown slightly.  My
    favorite variation of this is to use syrian bread which has been
    sliced in two (to resemble pizzas).  You can also add tomato sauce
    and then broil them, or sprinkle crushed hot pepper on them before
    broiling - the variations go on and on.  Simple, fast, and the adults
    like em as much as the kids.
    
    - Larry

    There is NO order number as there is only one SNAK-MASTER.
    
    Just call the 1-800 number posted earlier and have your credit card
    ready.
    
    Believe me, it is well worth the 49.95 investment.  You will love
    it.  I believe they offer a full money-back guarantee if you don't
    like it.
    
    Sandie

    I wasn't paying much attention but a few weeks ago I was flipping
    through the TV channels on Sunday morning and came acrossed one of
    those 1/2 hour commercial shows that featured the SNAK-MASTER.
    Basically a cooking show using only the SNAK-MASTER with many
    commercials breaks letting you phone in your order for one.  The
    price was 39.95 and they made a big deal out of saying it normally
    sells for 49.95.  Sorry I don't remember what channel it was 
    (some UHF station since I don't get cable TV).

    Anyway keep your eyes open and maybe you can save some money on this
    thing.  Or maybe you could mention the show when you call the 800
    number and they might give you the discount?

    -JFK-

    I am glad someone put this in about kids meals.  My daughter is
    just 2.5 years old and she likes very few things.  Her favorite
    is french fries, but unfortunately you can't give a child french
    fries on a daily basis.  It is really frustrating because we can
    not even get her to try anything.  She looks at the plate and if
    she doesn't like anything on it she pushes it away and says "all
    done".  If we try to get her to eat something or try something she
    will throw a temper tantrum.  Also, there is another thing I wanted
    to ask the advice about from other parents, is that when she does
    eat, she would prefer to eat them with her fingers as opposed to
    using a fork or spoon.  Do you think it is absolutely essential
    for her to eat with a fork yet.  I know I would prefer it, but if
    she will eat with her fingers and not eat with the fork, then I
    would just prefer for her to eat anything anyway she wants to.
    Please let me know what you think.   How do you get a child of 2.5
    years to try something new.  Any info would be appreciated.
    
    Thanks, Sarah

    Sarah,
    
    I don't think it's essential for toddlers to eat most foods with
    a fork or spoon.  At that age they are trying out their independence
    in a lot of areas and can be very manipulative.  If they think you
    want them to do something, they will do the exact opposite.  Take
    heart...it does pass.  My children at 2 were both lousy eaters,
    but now will eat almost anything; in fact one is an apprentice chef
    and will eat things I won't.  SOMETIMES kids will eat a food
    they had a hand in preparing.  Mine also went through phases where
    they would eat only 1 food for days, then change to another food.  
    One of them would eat if you put only 1 food on his plate,
    let him finish that, then put another food on the plate. 
    
    This can be so frustrating for a parent who is trying to teach their
    child good eating habits and give them well-balanced meals.  It
    is an adult's natural reaction to feel "I'm in control and he/she
    had to learn that", but my experience has been the less you sweat
    the small stuff with a toddler, the better chance you have of getting
    them to listen about important rules.   

    Does anyone have a recipe for chicken nuggets?  I have boneless 
    chicken breast that I can pound (flatten, or whatever it's called) 
    and cut into finger sized pieces.  After that, what would I do?

    I prefer to bake these (like shake and bake) so the kids can help 
    with the preperation, and to eliminate excess fat.  What would I 
    put in the shake mixture?  Would I dip them in egg or milk?

    And... What do I serve them with?  These are for a 1 year old (mine) 
    and a three year old (friend).  I was thinking of tomato soup with 
    cheese, which my son likes.  Do other kids generally like tomato soup 
    or is this a no-no?  What else could I use as a vegetable? And, what 
    about sauces?

    Any other ideas for kiddie-lunches?
    

    gee, I *LOVED* tomato soup as a kid - mom would either cut a 
    frankfurter up into it, or pour a can of corn into it for a 
    special treat.
    As for the chicken; I would suggest either just flour, or
    flour then a beaten egg with a little salt & pepper in it, and 
    then a crumb mixture (plain dried bread crumbs or add a few
    herbs/spices. like parsley or oregano or paprika,
    or even a little parmesan mixed in).
    
    I do use shake & bake on occasion, but it must be remembered
    that it DOES contain lots of salt (and some of the flavours have
    a lot of sugar)
    
    Monica

    RE: .28

    Check out note 2381.18, and leave out the chili powder.  That should
    fit the bill!

    Cara

    
    
    RE the chicken fingers.
    
    I cut boneless/skinless chicken into bit size pieces and then shake
    them into a bag of Ritz Cracker crumbs. They come out very moist
    and are as big a hit with adults as they are with the kids. MAke
    sure you don't over cook them! And DON't put them in the microwave,
    I don't know why but when I did the exploded!
    
    I serve with rice and a veggie.  A squeeze of lemon on the chicken
    is nice too.
    
    bonnie

    RE:  .31
    
    Sounds good.  Would you please clarify?
    
    You just shake the dry chicken pieces in the Ritz Cracker crumbs? 
    That's it?  How fine should the crumbs be?  Do you use a rolling pin or
    a blender to grind them?
    
    Do you bake or sautee them?  What kind of oil do you use?
    
    L
    

    
    
    Sorry I guess I wasn't very clear.
    
    You can coat the chicken with melted butter or leave them dry (they're
    moist from washing) the butter adds more flavor and calories.
    
    I use my mini processor to get the crackers really fine. Bake in
    a 325 oven till done, it really depends on the size of the 
    pieces and how close together they are in the oven.
    
    
    bonnie