3 Meals My Kids (Almost) Always Eat
Posted: | Categories: Substack Archives | Tags:substackWant to know the recipe I get asked for the most?
I’d be lying if I told you my kids eat all the food I make—that would be nothing short of a miracle.
My kids are still young, so my husband and I focus on how each food nourishes in different ways: protein makes you big and strong, green boosts your immune system, carrots help you see, and red peppers help your brain. And, of course, if our little one sees her older sister try something, she’ll try it, too.
The only guaranteed hits in our house are cupcakes, pancakes, and pizza from our favorite neighborhood spot. But remember that kids will often surprise you—my oldest is in her Castelvetrano olive and half-sour pickle era. Anything is possible!
These three meals are my go-tos for easy meals my kids will at least eat (a few bites, at least!)—and they’re delicious for the adults around the table, too. Here’s what’s on the menu this week:
Airfryer Salmon & Rice with Nori and a Leafy Salad
One-Pan Chicken with Spring Veggies
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Meatballs & Magic Sauce
If you have really picky kids, try my Superfood Pancakes. I make a big batch of these on weekends and keep them in the freezer for my kids to snack on whenever they want!
Note: This week’s recipes heavily feature my air fryer, which is the same size as a toaster oven. I use it every day and highly recommend!
Air Fryer Salmon & Rice with Nori
My youngest loves filling a square of nori with rice and a little salmon. This is a great meal to feed everyone in the family; for adults, serve with a leafy salad (recipe included), and if you’re feeling optimistic, serve with sliced cucumbers for your kids.
One-Pan Chicken with Spring Veggies
One-pan chicken meals are one of my superpowers. In the recipe PDF, you’ll find tips to make this recipe your own. The chicken thighs come out tender and juicy every time, with crispy skin. It’s the perfect, complete meal in ONE. PAN. As my family’s primary dishwasher, count me in.
Meatballs & Magic Sauce
I make meatballs for my kids all the time. I almost always serve them with my magic sauce, which by request of my 5-year-old has absolutely no “thingies”—aka chopped onion, celery, carrots, etc. It’s silky smooth, but packed with nutrients! Some of you have told me in the chat how much your kids also love it, so consider this your cheat sheet for all the variations I’ve made over the years. Make a big batch of your favorite and freeze in deli containers for a fast weeknight dinner.
