Okay, let me tell you about this thing I’ve been doing lately – making these “little big meals”. It all started when I noticed my kid was getting pickier by the day. One day, I presented a plate full of veggies, and let’s just say it didn’t go over well. So I thought, there’s gotta be a better way, right?
So I started experimenting. The basic idea? Offer a few different foods at each meal, but keep it simple. Like, if I’m introducing something new, I make sure there’s also something on the plate I know my kid already likes. It’s like a safety net, you know? If they don’t touch the new stuff, at least they won’t go hungry.
One of my first attempts was this Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole thing. I basically took the idea of a cheeseburger and turned it into a casserole with some fries thrown in. Sounds kinda crazy, but it worked! It’s all about making things familiar and fun, you see.
- First, I made the cheeseburger mix. You know, ground beef, onions, the usual.
- Then, I layered it in a baking dish with some cheese. Lots of cheese.
- Finally, I topped it with fries and baked it until it was all bubbly and delicious.
It was a hit! My kid gobbled it up. And it was easy to make, which is a big plus for me.
More than just Casseroles
But I didn’t stop at casseroles. I made these things I called Hot Dog Sliders. I took regular hot dogs and turned them into these little slider things. And get this, I made them in different styles. I did a Chicago-style one, a Bavarian one, and a Southern one. It was like a little international hot dog party!
And then there’s this Ravioli Casserole I came up with. My family is crazy about ravioli, and this dish is like a lazy version of lasagna. I used store-bought ravioli, some sauce, and a ton of cheese. Baked it in the oven, and boom! Dinner’s ready. It’s so easy, it’s almost embarrassing.
I know getting kids to eat well can be a struggle. It is a real challenge with busy schedules and all that stuff. But these little big meals have made things so much easier in my house. It’s all about finding that balance between trying new things and sticking to what works. You gotta be creative, and don’t be afraid to try new things. It’s not rocket science, just good old-fashioned trial and error!
