Check out my compare-and-contrast (hey there, AP English Teachers!) between Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious and Missy Chase Lapine's The Sneaky Chef, over at Babble.com.
Now, longtime friends and readers know I've had some pain and heartache with Miss Molly and her White Food Only (But Not Potatoes Unless They're French Fried) rule, and I've always tried to follow the eminently practical advice of the great Ellyn Satter: your role as a parent is to provide good food in wide variety, the child's role is to choose which foods they will actually eat. And you may know that it's been really difficult for me to stick to that, but I'm still really not comfortable with the food-hiding concept. On the other hand, these books do include some inspirational ways to twist old favorites (that French toast of Seinfeld's is outstanding, you'd make it for a fancy brunch) and they stand as a reminder that you can beef up the nutritional content of almost anything without compromising on taste and texture.
Now, tonight I made mashed potatoes with nothing hidden in them but garlic (Molly: "What is wrong with these mashed potatoes?") and brussels sprouts without bacon, which is anathema in this house (Daisy: "I cannot eat this!") and chicken (with bacon, everybody was fine with the chicken). I have learned nothing from my hard work. If my kids don't wake up with rickets, it's not because of me.
Do you use the 3 bite rule? That was our rule. At least you tried everything. But, the bite size what the big deal...
Posted by: Grammy | November 10, 2007 at 06:57 PM
Many kids grow out of the picky eating stages. For your sake, I hope your family does.
Posted by: Daisy | November 11, 2007 at 11:42 AM
If you can get anyone in your family to eat brussels sprouts, you have my eternal admiration.
Posted by: MommyK | November 12, 2007 at 07:30 PM