The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

Toddler Food Tuesday!

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I have been trying really hard not to let meal times with the toddler twosome stress me as much as usual…i am trying  to remember that all the ‘experts' tell us we need to offer a new food at least 10 times before it might not be rejected but enjoyed instead!

I am trying to remember that just like adults, toddlers have hungry and not so hungry days and their portion sizes should not be half an adult size but much less than that! I think expectations can be a parent's worst enemy when it comes to feeding fussy toddlers!

I am realising that some days they do enjoy the food i can count on them liking but other days for no reason whatsoever…they don't! Let it go has become my mantra….and the dog is growing alarmingly plumper!

They are still both at different developmental levels with their eating and this continues to pose some challenges…and yes stress when it comes to serving the toddler twosome a meal. However, i am getting better at incorporating what we are eating for dinner and still pushing through the mouli for Ruby (the biggest hole size now though…yay she is making progress with textures!), chopped up with a spoon for Tara as she grows more confident feeding herself and just a touch more bland than we are used to for the adults and Miss teen! Doing it this way is saving me from having to prepare 3 different meals each night though.

It doesn't work with every meal of course and i still long for the day when Ruby will pick up cubed pieces of meat, cheese or sandwich…..but i do believe that we are making progress!

One of the current favourites with everyone in the house is the old classic ‘Shepherd's Pie' . This is my version…i like to add lots of sneaky vegetables which the toddler twosome don't seem to mind at all!

TODDLER FRIENDLY SHEPHERD'S PIE
‘Pie' Filling
1Tbsp olive oil
1 brown onion diced very finely
1 carrot cut into small cubes (or grated if you have a toddler who will refuse carrot)
1 zucchini cut into cubes (or grated)
Handful of mushrooms chopped finely
1/4 cup each frozen peas and corn
500 g beef mince
2Tbsp plain flour
2 cups beef stock
1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp tomato sauce
1Tbsp tomato paste
1 clove garlic (or omit if your toddler isn't a fan!)
1 tsp dried basil and paprika
I often add different herbs to test out what the girls will try….just add the herbs your family likes!)
Potato Top
4 large potatoes
1/2 sml sweet potato
1/2 cup warm milk
1/2 cup grated tasty cheese
1Tbsp Parmesan cheese grated
Now this part is quick and easy for the harried toddler parent! First chop the potatoes and put on to boil before you begin making the sauce.
Now, brown the onion, vegetables and mince in the oil in a saucepan. Try to break up most of the mince lumps as you go. Cook for around 5 minutes then add the flour and cook for 2 minutes or until combined well.
Add worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, paste, garlic and herbs and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens (around 20 mins) if the sauce isn't as thick as you would like it just add a little more flour mixed with some water.
Your potatoes should be done now so drain and mash with the butter, milk and parmesan. Spread your mince mixture into an ovenproof baking dish and then spoon your mashed potato over the top of the mix. Use a fork to score the potatoes and rough them a little then sprinkle the grated tasty cheese over the top.
Bake in a preheated moderate oven for 20-30 mins or until potato is golden and the cheese is crispy!
I mash this for Ruby now and she loves it. Tara is happy to have it chunky and enjoys feeding herself as it is one of those dishes that holds together quite well and therefore very toddler friendly!
In my quest to get Ruby trying more finger foods with meat i also made some sausage rolls on the weekend….homemade with no added nasties of course!
TODDLER FRIENDLY SAUSAGE ROLLS
Mince Mixture
250 grams lamb or pork mince
250 grams beef mince
1 grated carrot
1 grated zucchini
2 Tbsp tomato sauce
1Tbsp tomato chutney (homemade but anything similar would be fine)
1Tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp raw brown sugar
1 egg beaten
1 clove garlic minced
1 tsp allspice
1 spring onion very finely diced
Mix all ingredients until well combined (i find using my hands and getting dirty is the best way!)Now your ready to make the rolls.
Lay 4 sheets of frozen puff pastry on the bench and place mince mixture in a sausage/log shape along one side of the pastry. Roll until mixture is enclosed and seal edges with some beaten egg or milk. Cut into desired sizes and place on a baking tray.
Make sure your mince mixture is distributed as evenly as possible and then brush the tops of the pastry with a little more beaten egg.
Bake in a moderate oven for 15-20 minutes and then enjoy!
This recipe makes a large batch of sausage rolls as i like to keep them in a zip lock bag in the freezer for easy reheating (although they do loose some crispiness when reheating). You could halve the recipe if you only want a few. Or when you have the raw sausage rolls on a tray , pop them into the freezer and when frozen you can put them all into a ziplock bag and store in the freezer ready to be cooked…they will always be crispy then!
I have had some success with these although i did have to offer them 3 times first! Great with some diced cooked potato and pumpkin and some dipping sauce to make a big toddler mess!

Do you have your own variation on the classic shepherds pie or sausage roll recipes? I'd love to hear about them if you do!

Have a great day all !

Comments

  1. Catherine says

    Oh yum Jode both of these recipes sound delicious, I’d love them for my dinner too. I bought a book called Feeding Fussy Kids which has some great healthy recipes in it that I find the girls really love and appeal to little ones, maybe your library might have it if you need any more ideas for your little ones. I have given you an award on my blog too:) x

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  2. Happy Whimsical Hearts says

    Yumo! They look so tasty. Shepherd’s Pie is one of Master D’s favourite meals I reckon. I don’t really have a recipe, I just throw in whatever veggies I have and flavour how I feel on the day 🙂

    When Master D was younger he was very little for his age, both height and weight (still is actually). It used to worry me when the family and child nurses used to comment on it (and comment they did!), but I found a great mantra to help me which was ~ it is my job to prepare and offer good food and it is Master D’s job to eat as much as he needs.

    Hope you have a great week Jode

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