Halloween/Fall is probably my favorite time of year, has been for as long as I can remember. Christmas, not winter, being a close second. With Lyam being so difficult and picky an eater I have been trying to have Halloween fun with his foods. Soups are a great way to hide vegis for him, though an immersion or regular blender are very necessary.
Today we made "Witch's Brew". There was lots of cackling and 'boil boil, toil and trouble' as we threw all the vegis I precut while he was in preschool into a pot of boiling chicken broth. We had a blast throwing 'frog legs' (cut zucchini), moldy plants (spinach), fresh and moldy mice brains (broccoli and cauliflower) and petrified caterpillars (carrots) into the pot. Lots of vegis I needed to finish up and didn't want to waste. We stirred and cackled while they cooked and Lyam never seemed to notice or care what I was throwing in cause he's a boy and it was gross so therefor fun. While our crackers and 'bones' cooked (premade pizza dough and Halloween cookie cutters.) we brewed the best darn witches brew ever.
Did he eat it? Yes, mostly as a dipping sauce for some nuggets and the 'bones', but he ate it all and did so happily. That's all I can ask for right now with him, cause anything other the sneaking the food in NEVER works. Do I try, yes. The dippers for the 'witches brew' consisted of nuggets, 'bones' and raw zuchinni, carrots and 'mice brains'. Unfortunately he decided that uncooked and pureed they were yuck.
Gotta take my wins where I can and keep trying on the others. I have stopped trying to force him to 'try' things to hard. I find that his stubborn streak ensures my failure as soon as I make too big of a deal over what he eats, while his curiosity has him trying things I don't expect him to as long as I am not pushing it. I'm sure force works for some kids, not with Lyam.
While I am not an exact cooker here's the basic recipe. The basic concept was a broccoli and cheese soup, but veg'd up.
1 box Chicken broth
Vegis, whatever you have in the house. Green vegis are a must for the color. Reserve some for dipping.
1/2 - 1 cup milk
2 tbsp butter
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic
salt & pepper
2 tbsp flour
1/2 - 1 cup sour cream
1 - 2 cups cheese - whatever you got (nice to use a creamy w a sharp for good flavor & texture, I used the Parmesan/cheese rinds I had frozen from wedges used at other times. Don't throw out any of the edges/ends of cheese they work great for flavoring sauces/soups. I also added a little sharp & regular cheddar as well.)
In a pot boil the vegis in the chicken broth till soft (broth should cover the vegis with about a 1/2 inch extra liquid. Puree till smooth (and green). Add milk (this is optional and just makes it creamier) In a separate pan saute onions in butter till translucent. Add garlic, s&p. Cook a minute. Add four. Cook another minute to get the flour taste out, but don't let it brown much. Add to simmering Vegi base, bring back to a boil. Once thick add sour cream and cheese till melted/combined.
Kids love to touch/play with food. This is a soup, so serve with a spoon, but give them things to dip, it'll be more fun and successful. I served with homemade chicken nuggets, 'crackers and bones', extra vegis - offer whatever you know your child likes and it will take the focus off the vegis.
For 'bones and crackers'
Pre made pizza dough
Halloween cookie cutters
Butter
Garlic
Salt&Pepper
Soften unsalted butter, add garlic, s&p and any herbs that strike you (I love basil myself). Using cookie cutters cut out ghosts, cats, brooms etc. Take the leftover and pull into strips (bones). Place on baking sheet and cover top w some of the butter. Bake.
