Food Rut

I feel like I’ve done a lot of cooking in the last two days.  Maybe it’s because I’ve barely cooked a thing in the last month while I was at my parents’ house.  Maybe it’s because I’m trying to get back on the WW wagon.  Maybe I just missed being productive.  But anyways, it reminded me of a question on my Q & A post from MereCat:

Here’s my burning question.. what do you feed your kids? Food is such a pain at our house, I’m always looking for ideas. And it’s different with twins, don’tchaknow.

Well, I feel like I’m in a bit of a rut, always making the same few things.  But then, I realized, other people are in different ruts!  So maybe we can all share our current toddler food ruts and switch things up a little. So here, in no particular order, are my go-to meals for the kids:

• Grilled cheese – This is pretty much the first thing I make when I can’t think of anything to make. I like a mix of American and Mozzarella.
• Pasta – Preferrably something filled like tortellini or ravioli, usually with jarred pasta sauce or pesto. Not to be attempted with light-colored clothing.
• Roasted chicken – An easy go-to for parents and kids alike.  I get the big package of bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, and roast a whole bunch of them at once and keep them in the fridge.  Cut ‘em up for a casserole, shred for tacos or burritos, or just cut some up for a sandwich.  Rub some olive oil and season with salt and pepper, cook in a 375° oven for about 45 min.  Let them cool, then store them (intact) in the fridge.  Cut or shred as needed.  For the kids, I’ll cut up chunks, toss them in a touch of barbeque sauce, and heat in the microwave with shredded cheese.  We call it “Chicken à la Mommy.”
• Turkey Chili – I make this recipe all the time for me and M, and the kids also love it.  Especially with some cheese. And cornbread.
• Hot Dogs – Second only to grilled cheese on my “aw, hell, I don’t know what to make” list.  I prefer Hebrew National (since they don’t have Vienna Beef in Boston).  And yes, I put both ketchup and mustard on it.  M makes fun of me every time.
• Fried Rice – Just made a big batch this afternoon.  Rice, frozen mixed veggies, eggs, and tofu with a little sauce.  Try to get in as many food groups as possible.  Medium-grain brown rice makes it a little healthier and stickier (easier for little hands to pick up, and doesn’t dry out as quickly in the fridge).
• Bell & Evans Chicken Nuggets – A little pricey and I can only get it at Whole Foods, but it’s awfully tasty.  Especially with some barbeque sauce for dipping.

Other than that, I do try to give the kids leftovers of whatever M and I had.  Do they love all of this stuff?  Hey, they’re toddlers.  Sometimes Rebecca will eat a big bowl of chili and still want some of her brother’s.  Sometimes she’ll look offended if I try to give it to her.  You just never know.

I’m trying not to get into the habit of preparing multiple things for each meal.  I’ll put a few different things on their plate, like a bowl of chili plus some cut-up fruit and some veggies.  But if they decide they don’t want chili, I’m not going to go make a grilled cheese.  And some days they eat very little.  Some days Rebecca will finish it all and Daniel will have none, and vice versa.  They won’t starve.

So, everyone, what’s your food rut?  What are your go-to easy toddler meals?  Maybe we can all swap ruts for a while, and it’ll feel new… right?