I know dinner time can be a tough time for some parents to get their kids to eat VEGGIES, but hopefully I can help. Luckily my kids are not to bad when it comes to eating. However, there are times when they would rather not have veggies. What do I do to fix that little problem? I hide the veggies of course– just like any good mommy would do right? Yes, I think it is important for kids to eat their veggies and know how important it is–but there are just times it is better just to hide them! Hiding the veggies can save you from the moans and groans.. Oh how I love the moans and groans {extreme sarcasm}.
Where do I like to hide veggies?
Sauces
Sauces are easy to hide veggies in. The number #1 sauce kids like—> spaghetti. How do you hide veggies you can go the easy route and use baby food. If you got more time- take what is in season and saute’ or roast, next add into blender with a little bit of sauce or stock, then pour into sauce. My kids especially love my sauce in the fall when acorn squash or butternut squash is added. Frozen veggies are your friend too add kale or spinach.
Soups
Veggies are yummy in soups especially when you add plenty of noodles to distract from the dreaded veggie. However if your child is a picky eater and likes to pick out veggies–> again try blending veggies in blender with some stock and add to soup. However if you can cut up veggies in tiny, tiny, little pieces they are sure to eat some : )
Cheeses
Cheese can be a parent’s best friend when it comes to veggie consumption. (I use rice cheese here but occasionally the kids get some dairy cheese too.) Kids love, love, love, cheese! Kids love cheese on pizza, nachos, sandwiches, and even quesadillas. And that is where this mommy loves to hide veggies.
Make sure to cut up veggies small and hide under melted cheese.
Pizza you can add peppers, onions, broccoli, spinach, kale or even some sauteed carrots.
Nachos and quesadillas can be much healthier with black beans and tomatoes
Panini and grilled cheese can get some veggie love too.
My latest sneak—> Spaghetti Panini (with peas and carrots)
Brown off meat with onions, basil, frozen carrots and frozen peas- season to taste
Add your sauce homemade or jar.
This is where you add the cheese. Take your best panini bread I used Tuscan add your sauce and mozzarella (dairy or non-dairy) and either use your panini press or toast in pan with butter.
Do you see this yumminess? What peas? The kids ate this up no problem–please try this it is so yummy : )
