Encouraging my DD's to eat pasta/rice

[skinnymalinks13]

Hi

My DD1, 3 1/2 has always refused to eat pasta or rice whenever i would dish it up but lately when i ask her what she has eaten in Montessori she tells me "pasta" or "rice" . I asked her why she didn't eat it at home for me and she siad "because you don't give it to me at home"!!

I now have another DD2 16 months and would love her to eat pasta and rice. I love the stuff myself (dh wouldn't be mad on either).

How do i encourage them to eat it? I'm always afraid to try new things, especially with DD2. I know that if mash the hell out of her food and have no lumps she would eat it and there woudn't be any battles whereas if i left lumps in it she would turn her head.

Would anyone have a really tasty recipe that i could give to them?

Thanks
Caroline.

[mrsharvey]

have you asked her montessori how they serve it, maybe you can get their recipe?

Jess loves spag bol but we call it wiggle worms, I used to make the spaghetti really small for her to eat or you can also buy pasta in different shapes from m&s animals, car, boats, aeroplanes etc i used to ask Jess to find me a car or animal and she would eat it, now she eats all pasta. Tortellini or Ravioli is good and can be eaten as finger food so maybe give that a go.

Does your LO like cheese sauce? maybe try macaroni cheese?

good luck xxx

[skinnymalinks13]

Thank you for you reply.

Yes i did ask the montessori, i went in one day and said that DD1 only eats your shepherds pie and you will have to give me the ingredients....all she said was "yeah all the kids eat my shepherds pie"!!, that was it!!

I think the problem with me is that i hate going to all the bother of making a lovely meal and then my DD's just turn their nose up at it. I suppose i will just have to keep trying.

I do have a nice cheese sauce recipe that ill use over the weekend. Ill let you know how i get on.

Again thanks
C.

[cathyg]

mine isn't too keen on pasta either & will not eat rice at all. i just experimented with small amounts of different pasta & found one he liked, grated cheese on top with some shredded ham (real basis) usually does the trick, then you can add to it , e.g some olives, maybe some herbs, some chopped cherry toms. spaghetti is a favourite for the fun factor or sucking it up.

[linnij]

Hi, my 3 yr old often prefers it 'dry' ie no sauce. I often serve it as a side rather than mixed in. I usually add one to what we call 'pick and mix' meals - salad, meat, veg, cheese you help yourself to - platter sized buffet. xxxx
Also you could try taking them shopping and ask which shaped pasta they'd like being really enthusiastic, mine love the tricolor one cos of the colour xxxx