Sometimes it is a struggle to figure out what to make the girls for dinner. I got the baby food thing under control, and then I figured out how/what to let them try off my plate. But now that they are eating mostly adult food (still do Gerber yogurt, puffs, some veggie pouches), some nights are a struggle. A few problems exist-- 1) We usually eat late (8pm or 8:30pm once they are asleep) so when they are eating at 5p that day I haven't made dinner yet, 2) Some nights we have things that they don't like, 3) there isn't food for them because we went out on date night, we ate leftovers, or some nights we have cereal for dinner.
So.... I've collected ideas for kiddo foods (completely separate from our meals) so that when these situations (above) happen there are solutions. Hopefully I can help give you some ideas (and selfishly I can refer to this blog if I need ideas later!).
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Eggs (worked ok but was REALLY messy and ended up in Kasey's hair)-Two eggs, two tbsp. of milk and some cheese. Spray a coffee mug with Pam, scramble the eggs and milk, microwave in the mug (recipe says 1 1/2 min but I had to do 2 1/2 min). Add cheese.
(www.incredibleegg.org/recipes/recipe/microwave-coffee-cup-scramble)
Bananas and Avocados- crush Cheerios and roll pieces these slimy (but yummy) foods in the Cheerio dust for easy self feeding. Sydney's interest in these perked up when she could grab them better.
Canned veggies- easy to warm up, cut to a good toddler size. We do carrots and peas and those seem to go over pretty well.
Pasta- penne noodles especially, first cut into 1/3s then recently whole pieces once the girls had enough teeth to take bites.
Mac and Cheese- we are making bunny shaped mac and cheese tonight, easier for little fingers to pick up!
Sandwiches- pb and jelly cut into stripes for Kasey (who likes bigger pieces) and little pieces for Sydney (who likes things cut up), grilled cheese (same as above), and grilled cheese quesadillas (HUGE hit! I think this is because they are thinner, slightly crispy pieces and that makes for easy eating).
Coming soon: Mass prep ideas!!! Starting with ideas from http://melissafallistestkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/10/freezer-cooking-5-baby-finger-foods.html?m=1 who uses mini muffin pans to make perfect portions!
So.... I've collected ideas for kiddo foods (completely separate from our meals) so that when these situations (above) happen there are solutions. Hopefully I can help give you some ideas (and selfishly I can refer to this blog if I need ideas later!).
``````````````````````
Eggs (worked ok but was REALLY messy and ended up in Kasey's hair)-Two eggs, two tbsp. of milk and some cheese. Spray a coffee mug with Pam, scramble the eggs and milk, microwave in the mug (recipe says 1 1/2 min but I had to do 2 1/2 min). Add cheese.
(www.incredibleegg.org/recipes/recipe/microwave-coffee-cup-scramble)
Bananas and Avocados- crush Cheerios and roll pieces these slimy (but yummy) foods in the Cheerio dust for easy self feeding. Sydney's interest in these perked up when she could grab them better.
Canned veggies- easy to warm up, cut to a good toddler size. We do carrots and peas and those seem to go over pretty well.
Pasta- penne noodles especially, first cut into 1/3s then recently whole pieces once the girls had enough teeth to take bites.
Mac and Cheese- we are making bunny shaped mac and cheese tonight, easier for little fingers to pick up!
Sandwiches- pb and jelly cut into stripes for Kasey (who likes bigger pieces) and little pieces for Sydney (who likes things cut up), grilled cheese (same as above), and grilled cheese quesadillas (HUGE hit! I think this is because they are thinner, slightly crispy pieces and that makes for easy eating).
Coming soon: Mass prep ideas!!! Starting with ideas from http://melissafallistestkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/10/freezer-cooking-5-baby-finger-foods.html?m=1 who uses mini muffin pans to make perfect portions!