Getting the children to eat veg

Of course grating veg to hide in stews is a good idea and often "fools " them into eating vegetables but really we want to encourage them to eat vegetables for their own sake. It also helps to put something on the plate that they do like. My oldest loved baby tomatoes so I always put them on his plate so he would make a start. If they eat Salad all the better.

This is an activity that I have done with my sons and several years as  teacher of 5 year old children.

 It is called ; " Eat your Face "

You need a circle of greaseproof paper and a large selection of colourful vegetables, with one or two that your child will   actually eat, if possible. Add some fruits too if it tempts them to start the plate.

Lay the circle of paper on the table and let your child choose what to use for their hair, eyes,  ears nose, mouth, teeth .

When they have finished making this, it is "eat your face"  time. What will you eat first? It is almost always their nose. I have used here as a demo, celery leaves , blackberries, tomatoes, courgette ( zucchini ) and sweetcorn. In school doing this activity, even the faddiest eater would have a try when faced with a face they themselves have chosen and made. Even better if they "eat your face " from your own example. Great fun!

My grandson eats this, blissfully unaware he is having cheese and courgettes. Protein, wholemeal and veg all together!

Courgette ( Zucchini ) and Cottage Cheese Loaf

2 ozs Courgettes grated and patted dry

4 ozs Cottage cheese drained

3 tbsp. bulgar/cracked wheat

2 fl ozs water

2tbsp butter

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp. sugar

4 ozs wholemeal flour

5 ozs bread flour

1 satchet of dried yeast

Method

Drain the cottage cheese through a sieve , pat the courgettes dry with kitchen paper

mix the flours, rub in the butter then add all the ingredients

Knead until smooth and leave to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. Knock the risen dough back down.

Knead and leave to rise a second time for 30 minutes

knock back the risen dough  back down and shape into the shape of loaf you want

Cook on 180C for about 35 minutes depending on your oven

Home made soups are ideal for getting vegetables, hidden or unhidden into your children and soups are so easy to make.

Homemade Soup ( 2 people , a goodly portion)

1 pint of stock vegetable or chicken

seasoning to your personal taste

1lb chopped vegetables of your choice. (Carrots and squash give a great colour and texture )

Boil the vegetables in the stock until soft and for a smooth soup blend it until smooth, For  chunky hearty soup leave the vegetables roughly chopped if your child will eat them .

If the soup is too thick add a splash of milk to thin it slightly.

The British Bake off winner has published a book  "Bake me a story " by Nadiya . I bought it yesterday. It is a lovely book full of child friendly recipes some of which contain fruit and vegetables.

I am looking forward to trying things like French Apple tart, pea and mint risotto,pumpkin flapjacks, carrot and nutmeg cookies with the children.

http://www.nadiyahussain.com/nadiya-s-bake-me-a-story/

I came across this charming idea to get children to eat fruit at Christmas.

Strawberry Santas

Strawberries with the leaf cut off

Whipped Cream

 Method

Chop the top of the strawberry off and put a blob of  cream on to look like hair and a beard then replace the top to look like a hat.

That's it !

Peas with bacon

Chop some rashes into little pieces and fry over gently

Boil some peas and drain hen stir in the bacon bits.

I have started making this for the grandchildren and the 2 year old ate three small bowls of it last week. The 6 year old ate 2 average bowls full.  Cabbage, courgettes (zucchini), peas, carrots, tomatoes, celery … We were astonished!

My Minestrone Soup 

I jar of passata 

The same jar filled with water

2 vegetable stock pots 

shredded cabbage

diced courgettes

dried onions 

peas

diced carrots

chopped celery 

dried basil and oregano 

two handfuls of cooked pasta 

Method 

Cook the pasta  and meanwhile …… 

Empty the jar of passata into the pan and then fill the bottle with water and add to the pan . Add seasoning and stock pots/ cubes.

Add all the carrots and celery and cook for about 15 minutes.

Add the cabbage, courgettes and dried onions. Cook for about 2 minutes ) 

Drain pasta and add to the soup.

Add peas just before serving. 

Do not pulse this soup. Serve chunky. 

Someone gave me a good idea today and I tried it out tonight. To get children to eat broccoli, pulverise it in the blender with no water then add it to a spaghetti ragu.  It is unnoticeable.