Pass the macaroni!

So, my kids have to be the pickiest eaters I've ever known.  I mean, I know I am somewhat of a picky eater.  I have texture issues.  The kids, however, just don't eat anything.  If there was no Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, my kids would shrivel up and die.  I blame myself.

When my boys were little, I would fix them whatever they wanted to eat.  For both, this meant primarily hot dogs and macaroni.  Of course, they love pizza, like most kids.  And they both like cheeseburgers.  Neither will eat mashed potatoes, though.  Is this not the strangest?  I've never known of kids that won't eat mashed potatoes.  At least 80% of all meals around here include macaroni.  I know.  I know.  You're thinking, "Just don't fix that stuff, and they'll eat whatever is there."  Wrong.  I've tried this.  My kids are like camels.  They could go for days without eating anything of substance.  This doesn't mean they aren't ravenous when they get home from school, but if faced with something they don't like, they will abstain.  Here are a couple of memories I have of Robbie in regards to his eating habits...

In 1999, Robbie was starting preschool.  We were concerned about him, because he has always been pretty shy.  We thought we'd have separation issues.  We were wrong.  The first day of school came, and he was excited to go.  [A little background info is needed here.  I don't do breakfast.  Occasionally, I'll fix it, but rarely.  I've never been much of a breakfast eater.  If my kids want it, they have it at school.]  So, the kids all went into preschool (age 3) and were milling about the classroom.  Some wanted their parents right next to them.  Not Robbie.  He was off wandering around the room and digging out toys.  His teacher announced that it was time to put away the toys and go to breakfast.  Robbie piped up, "But my tummy's full of dah-dogs (hot dogs)!"  Of course, I hadn't fed him hot dogs for breakfast, but he had eaten them for supper the night before.  We had to translate for the teacher what he meant, and everyone got a good laugh out of it.  As a mom, it was a bit embarassing.  

I remember another time that I was determined to get my child to eat a variety of things.  I had fixed hot dogs (big surprise) and sauerkraut.  Granted, sauerkraut is a stretch for just about any kid.  Robbie was on my bad side that day for other behaviorial issues, so I insisted that he try it.  We told him that he would sit at the table until he at least tried one bite of it.  That kid made himself SO sick just thinking about the sauerkraut that he made himself vomit, without even tasting it.  The funny part was him sitting there crying, "I don't want to eat sour crap!".  LOL!  We still laugh about that now.  It will always be known as sour crap instead of sauerkraut to him.  

My kids are healthy.  They aren't overweight.  Somehow they've managed to survive off of the few foods they really like.  I'm finding that age is making Robbie more flexible.  He's gotten to where he'll try just about anything once.  Brady has always been a little more daring.  He likes vegetables.  They both like fruit.  It's just the most basic things that turn their noses up.  Maybe there's still hope for them.  Here are a couple of recipes we do eat.  The first one is a creation of mine.  The soup is one from my mom.  I'm not sure where she got it.  I've never run across anyone else that eats it, but we like it.

Chinese Chicken Noodles

2 pkgs chicken breast tenders (the thin strips for stir-fry is best)

olive oil

1 lemon

salt, pepper, garlic powder, creole seasoning (optional)

soy sauce

sugar

broccoli, snow peas, any vegetables you like in stir-fry

3 pkgs Ramen noodles (oriental or chicken flavor)

Saute your chicken in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and creole (opt.).  There shouldn't be enough oil left to need draining.  When the chicken is nearly done cooking, add the juice of at least half of the lemon, some soy sauce, and enough sugar to thicken the glaze.  It will thicken and start to glisten as the sugar cooks into the soy sauce.  You can always add more soy sauce if needed. 

In a separate skillet, quickly saute your vegetables in some olive oil and garlic powder.  I typically only use the broccoli and snow peas.  It only takes a couple of minutes.  Just keep tossing the vegetables in the oil over high heat until they turn a bright green.  You can add whatever vegetables you like.  Cover and remove from heat. 

Lastly, add your 3 pkgs of noodles to a large pot and just cover with water.  Heat to a boil and remove from heat.  Stir in the flavor packets.  Do not fix the noodles until everything else is ready, and do not over cook them.  They will get mushy and yuck if they sit too long.

Now you are ready to assemble the dish.  My kids won't eat the veggies, so I always keep them separate to add to the plates.  I use a slotted pasta spoon to scoop the noodles out of the pot and into the chicken skillet.  You really don't want a lot of the broth with them.  Toss the noodles and chicken together.  I always add more soy sauce and a little more sugar and turn the heat back on to marry the noodles with the chicken.  All seasoning and sauce is to your taste.  That's it.  Add the veggies to the plates of those who like them!

Tomato Potato Soup

2 or 3 potatoes

approximately 6 oz. thin spaghetti (broken into smaller lengths)

1 small can tomato paste

Peel, wash, and cube potatoes.  Put in a saucepan and add more water than what it takes to cover the potatoes.  Bring potatoes to a rolling boil and add spaghetti.  Cook at a boil until potatoes are tender and pasta is done.  You should still have some liquid left.  Add the can of tomato paste and stir until incorporated into the liquid.  Remove from heat.  I like to serve mine with a slice of cheese in the bowl.  It's not necessary, though.