Friday, September 24, 2010

Gagging


I have been told by many a person that I am a picky eater. Yes and no. I will actually eat about anything as long as it is of good quality. Fresh ingredients. Good cheese, and increasingly, organic meat. (I hope hope you have plans to see Food Inc.)  Homemade food. These are foods I get excited about. Kraft mac and cheese? No way. This mac and cheese, substituting a good gruyere for the cheddar? Once a week if I could afford that kind of caloric intake.

My insistence on good food is causing problems for many a person. It can be expensive. It can be time consuming. And, more often than not, in fact, 9 times out of ten, my children totally hate it. I mean, they eat good food, for sure, but their realm of what they like is really really small. Recent examples of anger inducing meals:

#1. Bobby Flay Lemon Curd Ricotta Pancakes. (thanks Jessie!) Were it not for the substitution of wheat flour, this would totally be dessert for breakfast. It was absolute heaven. But not for L, who literally gagged and barfed and cried. Gagged. On a five star rated Bobby Flay recipe. I made fresh lemon curd. Dusted the final product with powdered sugar. M, ever worried about my feelings says, "it's not my favorite mom, I like the other ones you make."

#2. Quesadillas. Its a Williams Sonoma recipe from this cookbook. Roasted poblanos, Tillamook monterey cheese. Wrapped in a dough I made, and fried. Served with fresh guacamole and salsa. And my children.....gagged and cried and had to have dry cereal instead. Tears! Over fried cheese!

#3. Tamales. Recipe from above mentioned cookbook. I don't even have to tell you how it went. Adults loved, kids hated.

I know, I am expecting my small children to have an adult palate. And actually, my 2-year old is on board with everything I throw in front of her. She's game for anything from fresh limes to salsa.

But I'm stubborn. I will persist. They will thank me for their sophisticated palates when they are older, right? (Ha!)

9 comments:

jodi said...

I love the gagging. After so many meals I have lost my zest for cooking.

jams and pickles said...

Oh, I so hear you on this one. I admit, I have had to make a few concessions over the years, have few all round thumbs up recipes, but most I just keep making and serving anyway because, well, it's what I want to eat for dinner and I know deep down it's not "gross." Your recipes sound fab. I want to try, the immature palates be darned.

Anne said...

Too funny. I'm impressed at how much effort you actually put into cooking (so not me).

I've never thought of you as a picky eater, although I do remember a certain penchant for Ritz crackers and cottage cheese . . .

Christina said...

I had the same thoughts tonights as I listened to my kids tell my mom that the rice with fresh shimeiji mushrooms was going to make them throw up.

Whenever I think it might be easier just to give the kids gross (to me) bland food for the rest of their lives, I remember that Dr. Oz said that our palates have to mature. And those that don't branch out and try new things continue living with an immature palate.

Abbigail said...

Good old Dr. Oz. I believe it. Or I have to. My child will eat only two or three things at all. It is a serious problem.

I feel your pain more than you know.

HooverBirds said...

i love your gourmet meals...i'll eat their portions...don't waste it on them. and i LOVE M's new school clothes. very rocker!

megadog said...

Come on over to my house. We'll eat the gourment meals and none of us will gag...well, Aiden might, but no one else. I got hungry just reading about the meals-delish!

Unknown said...

Try this one, "how do you think it will taste with tabasco sauce on your tongue?" My kids are banned from having an opinion at all during meal times, we eat in gloomy silence. Wooden spoons are multifunctional. Just kidding, but not about the tabasco sauce... you only have to do it once...

Amy said...

Pam!!!
It's Amy Cruz....I am so excited that I found your blog...you are such a creative, wonderful mom! I am not one bit surprised...you have completely inspired me to create more art with my kids! great job Pammy...
Also, Food Inc literally changed my life. Also quinoa. In fact, I think I should write a book, 'how quinoa changed/saved my life'
We eat only organic meat, veggies, and dairy.(hello cha ching, esp. in Hawaii) so we eat less meat, but I tell you, tenderloin is much better than ground beef anyway. We have moved to a more plant based, whole grain deal. Also real food. anything real. that expires. sooner rather than later.
also, I didn't even know that ground beef should be mostly red, not white. Americas meat source is SCAREY!
people get really annoyed with us, but whatevs. my kids eat nori, sushi, almost all veggies. they chow down. they won't starve themselves. eventually their palates adjust( detox, rather from sugar and salt) and then flavors burst, literally.
Anyway. Food is my passion lately, good to see you have the good real food bug too! Congrats on all of your accomplishments.....
hugs
P.S.
sorry for the forever long comment. super excited to see your blog...