Inspired Dinner: 3 Customizable Kid-Friendly Meals

It's been awhile but I'm back with another Inspired Dinner post! This one's about making a meal that everyone in the family will actually eat. Anyone with little mouths to feed knows that this is no small task!

The best way I know to satisfy the whole family without being a short-order cook is to let everyone customize their meal with toppings.  Check out these 3 customizable kid-friendly meals that go beyond the standard taco night:

Custom Curry

My husband and I are huge fans of curry but for a long time I didn't make it because I thought the kids wouldn't like it. Then I read about Starter Curry on the blog Dinner: A Love Story.  It's a very mild curry with chicken and apples. My boys loved it!

Since then, I've taken our curry meals much further while still keeping it totally mild and kid-friendly. Now I add all sorts of vegetables - basically whatever we've got around. What makes it fun is the toppings!

• chopped cashews, almonds, peanuts or pecans
• dried apricots or dates
• raisins, craisins or currants
• unsweetened coconut

And of course, a bottle of hot chili sauce is always on the table for those who dare!

Peanut Noodles

We make peanut noodles quite frequently and I've tried a number of different recipes for peanut sauce over the years. As long as you have peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic and either vinegar or lime juice you are good to go!  Here is a recipe from my latest, favorite cookbook The Family Dinner by Laurie David:

Peanut Sauce

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup soy sauce

2/3 cup warm water

3 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon honey

3 tablespoons white (rice or wine) vinegar

Mix all sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Pour over cooked pasta. Pile the pasta on a big platter or bowl. Put the toppings on the table and dinner is served! (I've added some additional toppings that were not in the Family Dinner recipe):

• chopped peanuts
• diced cucumbers
• diced apples
• sliced scallions or red onion
• limes, cut into quarters
• sliced cabbage
• chopped cilantro or mint
• shredded carrot
• raisins
• diced red peppers
• hot sauce!

The Family Dinner recipe does not call for any added meat but we often add cooked chicken to our peanut noodles.  Just say YUM!!

Fish Tacos

Tired of traditional beef or bean tacos? Try fish tacos instead. My boys love 'em!

We start with cod or tilapia (I prefer cod myself) and marinate it in a simple vinaigrette of oil and lime juice, maybe with some cumin and garlic added for flavor. (here's a recipe from Epicurious for Baja Fish Tacos that is pretty similar to what we typically do) Then we saute up the fish, prepare the toppings and we're ready to eat!

Topping ideas:

• diced tomatoes
• mango 
• avocado
• feta or queso fresco
• chopped scallions or onions
• chopped cilantro
• shredded cabbage
• shredded lettuce

Fresh corn tortillas work best for fish tacos but if your kids prefer flour tortillas then be sure to have them on the table too!

Have you tried customizable meals with your family?  What are your favorites?

{Image and Recipe Credit:   Peanut Sauce recipe from THE FAMILY DINNER cookbook by Laurie David and Kirstin Uhrenholdt, Peanut Noodles image by Maryellen Baker, p. 129, Nov. 2010, Grand Central Life & Style, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing.}

Comments

[Lori Popkewitz Alper]

My husband and I love curry. My kids haven't taken the plunge. I love the idea of a mild, starter curry to introduce them to the flavor. My oldest is pretty adventurous and will eat it on occasion, but the younger two won't give it a go. Maybe if it was the only thing on the table they would be willing. The fish tacos sound delish too. Thanks for the recipes.

[Micaela]

Lori - I really recommend the Starter Curry that I mention in the post - apples give it an extra sweetness that kids love!

[Carina]

Yum, that looks amazing. : ) I just found your blog, and like it very much. I am really changing alot of things around in my business and at home to become more green. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Vivi]

Thanks for the recipe... Been going through a big diet overhaul--incorporating more veggies into my diet. I don't have kids so I'll be preparing this for myself instead. :)

[Micaela]

Hi Carina - glad you found my blog! Best of luck with your mission to become more green in your life!
Micaela

[Micaela]

Hi Vivi,

You're right - you certainly don't need to have kids to enjoy these recipes. I hope your quest to get more veggies in your diet goes well!

Micaela