Toddler dinner recipes

jo4janet

I guess I should probably post this on 12-24 months, too, but I figured I would start here first. For those of you with children (or who have any experience with them), any ideas on recipes for toddler meals that are also adult friendly. I don't want to make separate meals for LO (I don't normally do that, anyway). I would like to make something new and different for us. I feel like we eat the same old stuff. She is pretty good at eating veggies, LOVES avocado and broccoli and doesn't mind spinach, either. TIA for some new....and please, somewhat healthy, ideas.

Jim&Jaime

I would focus on what you and DH want to eat and teach LO by example of healthy and delicious.

MrsWindyCity

Jim&Jaime:

I would focus on what you and DH want to eat and teach LO by example of healthy and delicious.

Ditto. DS eats what we eat 90% of the time and I haven't changed meals/the way I cook to do this.  

lasirene

MrsWindyCity:

Jim&Jaime:

I would focus on what you and DH want to eat and teach LO by example of healthy and delicious.

Ditto. DS eats what we eat 90% of the time and I haven't changed meals/the way I cook to do this.  

Yes to all of this!  Even when she eats before we do (and therefore we're not all sitting down together), it's usually our leftovers or something that we would be eating anyway.   

Jhawks482

What kind of stuff do YOU like to eat? I've never really tailored a meal for my toddler unless my DH is out of town- and then I do something like homemade nuggets, Mac n cheese and other simple smaller meals. Instead of trying to make toddler friendly meals, why not just make what you and your H like? Your DD will then learn to try new things and know that you expect them to eat what is prepared. My kids (3 and 1) eat grilled chicken, rice, just about any veggie, steak, noodles, chili, soups, etc. I don't consider them to be toddler friendly foods but my kids usually do great with what's in front of them. Start browsing cookbooks and blogs for recipes you like. Dont get stopped by the fact that a recipe or dish might not be "toddler friendly" because you will get stuck in a rut really quick.I usually make a meal plan for the week and make sure it's got a veggie in it or on the side. Sometimes, I'll ask my 3 year old what we should have, and if he replies with "pizza", I'll make it with spinach and broccoli. Win win for everyone! Good luck!

jo4janet

I am kind of in a rut with the "adult" recipes that I make now. I try to keep things somewhat healthy, but sometimes feel like there might be too much sodium, for example. When I make Polish sausage, peppers, and onions, I really don't feed her that because I feel like the sausage would be so bad for her, but I still want to have it for us. Maybe I am overthinking, but if you have any recipes, in general, it would be greatly appreciated.

MrsWindyCity

jo4janet:

I am kind of in a rut with the "adult" recipes that I make now. I try to keep things somewhat healthy, but sometimes feel like there might be too much sodium, for example. When I make Polish sausage, peppers, and onions, I really don't feed her that because I feel like the sausage would be so bad for her, but I still want to have it for us. Maybe I am overthinking, but if you have any recipes, in general, it would be greatly appreciated.

As long as you aren't giving her a bunch of processed stuff, and she is drinking water, etc. I wouldn't worry too much about her eating sausage. It's not like she is going to have it every day or anything, you know? I was a little worried about that in the beginning and shied away from giving him stuff with a lot of soy sauce, etc. but as long as it's in moderation, you're fine. And you can just season with salt after you remove her portion.

Anyway, I have a blog (in sig) and like I said, DS eats pretty much everything we do.   From the first few pages, I can tell you he loved the chicken and dumplings, stifado, Asian pork, and tortilla & black bean pie.

He's also a huge fan of spaghetti and meatballs, pumpkin penne, barbecued chicken (all in my blog), and any sort of quesadilla or shredded meat, lol. 

Jim&Jaime

MrsWindyCity:

jo4janet:

I am kind of in a rut with the "adult" recipes that I make now. I try to keep things somewhat healthy, but sometimes feel like there might be too much sodium, for example. When I make Polish sausage, peppers, and onions, I really don't feed her that because I feel like the sausage would be so bad for her, but I still want to have it for us. Maybe I am overthinking, but if you have any recipes, in general, it would be greatly appreciated.

As long as you aren't giving her a bunch of processed stuff, and she is drinking water, etc. I wouldn't worry too much about her eating sausage. It's not like she is going to have it every day or anything, you know? I was a little worried about that in the beginning and shied away from giving him stuff with a lot of soy sauce, etc. but as long as it's in moderation, you're fine. And you can just season with salt after you remove her portion.

Anyway, I have a blog (in sig) and like I said, DS eats pretty much everything we do.   From the first few pages, I can tell you he loved the chicken and dumplings, stifado, Asian pork, and tortilla & black bean pie.

He's also a huge fan of spaghetti and meatballs, pumpkin penne, barbecued chicken (all in my blog), and any sort of quesadilla or shredded meat, lol. 

All this. Give the kids a chance, you'd be surprised what they like. I made spicy honey brushed chicken thighs last night, and DS ate 2.

Oh, and think of the millions of Polish people who eat sausage in Poland. I'm sure they don't make their kids a separate meal.  

kokomama

I give our kid most of the same stuff that we eat.  It's a constant process of getting him to eat the food we make.  He doesn't always want to eat it at first.  Definites are: rice and beans (especially black beans), slow cooked meat (like short ribs and roast chicken), and anything that is fried.  Still haven't gotten him to touch a vegetable, but am patiently trying.  He surprised us last week by eating the chili we made.

ACR

DS likes pretty much anything from the crockpot (pulled pork, chili, chicken & dumplings, bean soup)

Meatballs, baked pasta, chicken & rice, ham, tortillas + beans are all winners as well.

As far as veggies go, he'll reliably eat lima beans and Dr. Prager's spinach patties (storebought or a homemade version). The rest I offer, but usually it goes without being eaten. I tend to make a lot of things that I can add veggies to for DS's benefit, but also because I like to squeeze in extra veggies as I can for all of us.

jessimomma

My DD eats what we eat. She loves spaghetti, meatballs, chicken, veggies, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, cheeseburgers...really, other then spicy meals she pretty much has free reign at the dinner table.

Mrs.RCH

DS also eats what we eat...when he eats that is.  He's been VERY picky lately. My motto is just to try, try, and try again with whatever it is. 

jo4janet

MrsWindyCity:

jo4janet:

I am kind of in a rut with the "adult" recipes that I make now. I try to keep things somewhat healthy, but sometimes feel like there might be too much sodium, for example. When I make Polish sausage, peppers, and onions, I really don't feed her that because I feel like the sausage would be so bad for her, but I still want to have it for us. Maybe I am overthinking, but if you have any recipes, in general, it would be greatly appreciated.

As long as you aren't giving her a bunch of processed stuff, and she is drinking water, etc. I wouldn't worry too much about her eating sausage. It's not like she is going to have it every day or anything, you know? I was a little worried about that in the beginning and shied away from giving him stuff with a lot of soy sauce, etc. but as long as it's in moderation, you're fine. And you can just season with salt after you remove her portion.

Anyway, I have a blog (in sig) and like I said, DS eats pretty much everything we do.   From the first few pages, I can tell you he loved the chicken and dumplings, stifado, Asian pork, and tortilla & black bean pie.

He's also a huge fan of spaghetti and meatballs, pumpkin penne, barbecued chicken (all in my blog), and any sort of quesadilla or shredded meat, lol. 

Thanks WindyCity. I am going to have to check out your blog for some recipe ideas. I know I am probably overthinking it, but I am so concerned about high blood pressure and cholesterol because it runs in my family. I know she's still little that I probably shouldn't be worrying too much, but I just can't help it.

T1andT2

For some more "adult" meals, I might just change the way I prepare or serve them to make them a little easier for the kids to handle or chew. 

For example:  for stuffed peppers, now I just make it in more of casserole form by cutting up the peppers and mixing them into the fillings and it all just gets eaten out of bowls. 

For stirfry, instead of cutting everything in strips, we dice it.   

DS1 is starting to eat salads, but I do usually make the kids something else to go with those, or I steam some of their veggies and serve them separately.  Maybe add some noodles for them.

Some of the things my kids seem to eat are:

-anything spaghetti/lasanga/bolonese like

-tacos, fajitas if I cut up their meat and stuff smaller, enchiladas

-most anything rice/quinoa/etc,whether it is plain, cheesy, fried rice, mixed with all sorts of stuff...

-roasted veggies (sweet pots, broc., cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, seem to be the favorites)

-edamame in the shell, they think it is fun

-anything breakfast (pancakes of any kind, french toast, frittatas)

-baked potatoes (reg or sweet) are more fun for them to scoop out themselves than just having a pile of mashed pots put on their plates. 

-pizza at our house is not just cheese or pepperoni....it is filled with 'fun' things like veggies, grilled chicken or shrimp, fresh spinach, brie, nuts, pesto...... 

weelicious.com has some good healthy recipes!