Recently a friend’s facebook status included her daughter’s critique of her cooking. “Mum, this dinner is so bad even Jesus wouldn’t eat it”.
There’s nothing quite like the straightforward criticism of a child to discourage your valiant efforts at feeding the family. Being demoralised by preschoolers sucks.
My poor kids are subjected to a fair share of kitchen experiments. Usually it’s pretty obvious if a dish is a winner, but sometimes when things are being picked at in a ‘so-so’ way, I have to put myself out there and pry for truth in the name of research. Miss Fruitarian is now a big school girl and conscious of not hurting my feelings too much but without Jesus on her side her criticism is generally straightforward. Last week I’d made fishballs in a curry sauce. “What do you think of it?” I asked tentatively.
“Oh mum, you’ve done great. Great cooking!”.
Good girl, I’m thinking, but of course she wasn’t finished. “But I just don’t like the flavour of the red stuff or the feel of the lumpy things”. Scratch that one off the list then.
Try not to be discouraged when your kids reject stuff. It is entirely irksome to have to throw good food away. Try to be Zen about it and maintain optimism that you’re one meal closer to one they’ll love! Here’s a recipe that endured a couple of rejections, but this version was a total winner.
Even Jesus would love to munch on these
Tuna, rice & zucchini puffs
Canola oil cooking spray
250g packet microwaveable brown or white rice
4 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp finely chopped dill or basil
1 cup grated cheese
1 large (or 2 small) zucchini, grated
2 spring onions, finely sliced
Black pepper
185g can tuna in olive oil (drained)
Preheat oven to 180C. Spray a 12-hole muffin pan with cooking spray and line with paper cases.
Cook the rice according to packet directions, then set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Add the remaining ingredients (including rice) and mix until combined. Divide evenly between the muffin cases and bake for 25 minutes until golden.
Serve immediately or reheat the next day, topped with chives.
MAKES 12
Vegie Smugglers 
Kylie said,
August 9, 2012 @ 2:03 pm
Success. My little guy ate 2 of these and he is only 2 1/2. I may make it as a slice next time though as they seemed to stick in the patty cases and I needed to cut them up into bite size bits.
wendyblume said,
August 9, 2012 @ 2:46 pm
sounds like a great idea! Glad it worked out for you. x
Kristen said,
August 30, 2012 @ 11:51 am
What could you use instead of Tuna … shredded chicken maybe??
wendyblume said,
August 30, 2012 @ 12:28 pm
yep, that would be perfect. Ham would be ok too, but wouldn’t add as much bulk. Your kids not fishy?
Kristen said,
August 30, 2012 @ 12:49 pm
One of them doesnt eat Tuna … nor does their Mum 🙂
wendyblume said,
August 30, 2012 @ 1:27 pm
😉
Marnie durbidge said,
August 30, 2012 @ 1:13 pm
Ohhh I’m going to try this one out tonight!!
Anne said,
August 30, 2012 @ 2:11 pm
this post remind me of my son’s critique of a new lentil soup recipe…”Mum, this looks like vomit, smells like vomit…in fact, I think it is actually vomit” ! Couldn’t help but laugh and never made it again! (and do me truthful, it wan’t on eof my better efforts).
Love the look of these puffs though…would be great in the lunchbox too
wendyblume said,
August 30, 2012 @ 2:36 pm
funny! They have a way with words, don’t they!
Nicole Taylor said,
September 6, 2012 @ 3:27 pm
I made these for lunch today. Miss almost 2 wouldn’t try them, but they were nice with a sweet chilli and ricotta dipping sauce thing I made (had no sour cream, the ricotta worked well as a replacement though)
Judith said,
January 24, 2013 @ 6:16 pm
Hi …I don’t have a microwave so prefer to use fresh cooked brown rice ….do you know the approx cooked quantity in Cups??
…and can they be eaten cold …sound yummy!
wendyblume said,
January 24, 2013 @ 10:18 pm
I’d use about two cups and see how you go!
Lulu said,
February 2, 2015 @ 8:29 pm
One of my 6 year olds once asked me when I was trying a new spag bol recipe
“Mum are you cooking dog poo?!”
wendyblume said,
February 2, 2015 @ 9:06 pm
Ha ha! Aren’t they full of encouragement!
Kerri said,
April 8, 2015 @ 10:28 am
I’m going to be brave and give these a go with some leftover cooked rice. Wish me luck! I just HOPE Mr 4 tries them… He’s in a shocking phase of looking at food I make and not even trying it! SOOO frustrating and stressful.
I love your page Wendy. Gives me hope x
wendyblume said,
April 8, 2015 @ 5:45 pm
Thanks Kerri. Keep trying! Just find recipes you also like to eat and set a good example. They’ll join you eventually!
Amy said,
October 13, 2015 @ 7:14 pm
My kids have always loved these and I don’t mind them either. Even now that I have to make them dairy free (so use Notzarella and a smidge of savoury yeast flakes) they still eat them. They are now 5 and 8.
Re: it sticking to the paper, spray your papers, or alternatively if you freeze them, when you get them out of the freezer to reheat for a meal, remove the paper BEFORE you reheat. When serving straight out of the oven just use a teaspoon placed down the side of it to help separate and to ensure it remains intact.
wendyblume said,
October 13, 2015 @ 7:17 pm
nice tips amy! I’ll try the spraying the papers one next time!