Trying to get children to try a new food is like trying to teach a pig how to sing – the pig will get angry and you’ll get frustrated.

It makes no matter whether they know what it tastes like or not – the first response from a child to a new food is one of reluctance.

Chances are, that even if they have never tried it before – they will be reticent to try it now!

The more a child is cajoled into trying a new food, the more they will retreat into a caricature of physical revulsion at the thought of putting something new into their mouths – even if

- it looks good,

- smells good

- tastes good

Tricks of the Trade

- Eat the food article in front of the child while smacking your lips and extolling the taste sensations that are aroused in your mouth - this rarely works with older children.

- Disguise the food by putting it inside a sandwich or salad – although I’ve seen a salad picked clean of anything that isn’t kosher to the kid.

- Remove all other articles of food from the kitchen except that which you want to eat – no the child will not starve – it will go to a friend’s house and complain that you are starving him/her.

- One of the best methods of gaining trust in the kitchen comes from allowing the child to make the meal.

- With a minimal amount of preparation in safety and cleanliness, you can entertain a child for an hour or more by guiding them through the steps in creating a meal that is;

- of your choice (give the child a choice of 3-4 positives from your meal itinerary.

- is good for the child.

- is instructional (You will use maths, reading, temperatures, weights, etc.)

- is FUN.

I had a group of children in my last class that revelled in our food preparation classes.

The following is a product of their own devices - enjoy.

Vegetarian Double Flipper Pizza

Ingredients

- Thin flat bread base – like a lavash bread, chapatti or wrap

- Tomato Paste – 125 gm

- Mozzarella Cheese - 1 C grated

- Pineapple pieces - 1/4 C (optional in Nth America)

- Red Onion - 1/4 C

- Shallots - 2-3

- Avocado - 1 Med Ripe avocado

- Honey - 1-2 T

- Lime - a squeeze or two

- Sweet Chilli sauce - a dash or small spoon

- Sour Cream - 1-2 T

Method

- Spread tomato paste over the bread as a base.

- Slice and dice the Red Onion, Shallots, Mushrooms, Olives and Pineapple - add to the base (be careful not to have too much liquid in the ingredients)

- Place in hot oven for approx. 5-10 minutes - to get the bread and ingredients hot.

- Remove from oven and add cheese.

- Put back in hot oven until the cheese melts.

- Remove from oven and add Avocado Spread*

- Put back in the oven for 2-3 more minutes.

- Eat and remember the year 4 thru 7 students that created this ‘Bite of Delite’.

*Avocado Spread

- Remove avocado flesh and mash with fork.

- Add honey, lime, sour cream and a ‘dash’ of chilli to make a thick, creamy spread (A touch of grated garlic and ginger won’t go wrong either)

Kevin