When I was young, I ate just about anything put in front of me. There were a few exceptions that I still avoid today like beets. I think I was destined to enjoy cooking and eating! I always feel terrible for parents whose children are picky eaters. I cannot imagine how frustrating it is to cook every night for someone with four or five foods in their repertoire of things they will eat without a meltdown.

I am not offering any advice because I am positive these parents are sick and tired of being judged by their inlaws and acquaintances. Instead, I thought I would list out one or two twists on some tried and true recipes that you might test. If your children are old enough, you can ask them to help prepare the new entree. I’m not sure it will make a difference, but perhaps seeing familiar ingredients presented in a new way would encourage their little brains to give it a try!

Cheeseburger Muffins

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 package buttermilk biscuit dough
1/2 cup catsup
1 Tbs mustard
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt
Pepper
Cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown and drain meat. Mix in catsup, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Use no-stick spray or butter in muffin tins. You can use any size. I used the giant muffin pan. Flatten individual biscuits with a rolling pin or stretch out by hand and press into muffin cup. Fill with meat. Top with your choice of cheese. I used shredded cheddar, but use whatever your child prefers (if any).

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until browned.

Mummy Hot Dogs

Ingredients

1 package hot dogs
1 package crescent rolls
1 can black beans or black olives

Directions

Why wait until Halloween? Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll crescent roll dough and slice into strips. Carefully wrap each hot dog with 1-2 strips and place on baking sheet covered with parchment paper or a baking mat. Add two tiny bits of black bean or black olive for eyes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until browned.

Very Simple Chicken Legs

Ingredients

Chicken legs
1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1-2 good shakes seasoned salt
Dash cayenne pepper

Whatever your kid likes to dip chicken into, or nothing at all.

Directions

Pour 1 cup flour into a pie plate. Mix in seasoning. Dredge each leg in flour mixtures and place in a 13×9 inch baking dish you have greased with no-stick spray or olive oil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serve with BBQ sauce, ranch dip, honey, or whatever your family prefers.

Please add a comment and include your favorite recipe for picky eaters. Who knows, your recipe could help someone else find one more entree their child will eat!