Now that summer vacation is looming, I’m being faced with the prospect of making three meals a day for four children, one of whom is extremely picky. It stresses me out just thinking about it.
I’m not a cook at the best of times, but trying to come up with creative, easy, fast meals that all my kids will like every day during summer vacation is difficult. The standards right now are macaroni and cheese, pizza (frozen and homemade), spaghetti, soup, sandwiches and tacos. When I try something new, at least one of them complains and only eats a bite or two.
So, here’s my challenge to you: Do you have any great, kid-friendly recipes that are fast and easy? That’s a lot of requirements, I know, but if it takes a lot of effort, I won’t do it. I’ve always said that if I could have my choice between a housekeeper and a cook, I’d take the cook a million times over. This feeling has only been reinforced by picky eaters and multiple complaints when I do actually spend time on a new dish.
Please, take pity on a clueless cook and post your recipes here. We can all benefit from new ideas!
Peanut Butter Pasta is always a hit with my four kids. It’s not as weird as it sounds – peanut butter actually makes sort of a thai seasoning.
I cook pasta per package directions. In a skillet, I’ll fry up whatever meat I have on hand – from hamburger to leftover chicken to ham to whatever. Toss in some carrots, peas, onions, or whatever else the kids like. I sprinkle on some soy sauce for a taste. Then after I drain the pasta, I toss it in with the meat/veggies, soften about 1/4 cup of peanut butter in the microwave (more or less for taste), stir it in real well, add more soy to texture, and eat. It’s so fast and easy, and uses up leftovers too!
This is one of the summertime favorites here… hope you like it, and good luck!
This is our children’s favorite dish. Even my son, who is very picky, likes it.
Baked Rotini
8 oz ground beef or pork (I’ve even used 4oz beef and 4oz TVP and they never noticed)
8 oz Rotini/fusili/ziti noodles (I just use what I have on hand, but Rotini is my favorite
7.5 oz ricotta cheese (half of a 15 oz container)
1 cup mozz cheese shredded
3 8oz cans of tomato sauce
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Brown ground beef and drain. Boil pasta for 5-6 only. You don’t want it done or it will be too mushy after it bakes. Mix ground beef, pasta and both cheeses. Put into 9 X 9 pan (or something similar). Mix spices together with tomato sauce and pour over the top of pasta/beef mixture. Bake in 375 degree oven for 30 minutes. You can top with parmesan cheese if you want, but I never do. You can also double the recipe, but I find this is the perfect size for our family of 7. I only double when we’re having company.
These are great! Thank you! I’m excited to try them both.
Anyone else?
Remember Popcorn Night? We do that here a lot on Sunday nights, and I make it on the stove, which is easy, cheap, and fun for the kids. It’s 2 tablespoons oil, 1/3 cup popcorn kernels. Put in big pan, cover, and heat over medium. When the popping has slowed to 2-3 seconds between pops, take off the burner and drizzle with 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt. It’s also really good sprinkled with Parmesan and/or pepper, if your kids like those.
I serve that with fresh fruit, cheese, and lunchmeat. We usually eat in front of the TV or outside.
Also, I grill a lot in the summer and the kids will generally eat grilled veggies because they’re different. You just slice zucchini and squash or whatever you want, toss in a bowl with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, and grill, and then sprinkle with Parmesan. Grilled corn on the cob is really good, too. I grill it right in the husk (trim off the silk so it doesn’t catch fire) and then peel it outside, and it’s sooo delicious.
What else? Your kids like salads, don’t they? How about putting out a bunch of fixins and letting them build their own chef salads? Kate won’t eat salad, but Sophia loves it.
Crock pot meals are easy. But you just can’t do it last minute.
In the morning, put a chicken in the crockpot with some garlic and BBQ sauce, or with chunks of carrots and a package of onion soup mix. It’ll be ready by dinner.