With cooler weather here, I start to want classic favorites like soups and roasts. I, like most adults, like these
meals, because they’re cozy, warm and just hit the spot when there’s a chill in the air. It’s wholesome, delicious comfort food.
The comfort quickly turns to drama when my kids happen into the kitchen, sniffing out what’s for dinner. Wrinkled noses, scowls and “Mommm…I don’t like…” are discouraging responses when your eyes are burning from chopping onions and you’ve been wrestling with three pounds of frozen ground beef for the last 20 minutes.
It turns a great meal into a full-on peace-keeping negotiation. “If you eat all your meatloaf, you can have bubbles in your bath tonight.”
Eventually, you don’t even want to make the stinkin’ food anymore, because it isn’t worth the stress. You chalk it up to choosing your battles and avoid foods that you love.
I fell prey to the phenomenon, myself, with chili. I’ve always loved a steaming bowl of spicy chili, but two out of three of my sons didn’t share my enthusiasm. Culinary heartbreak, folks.
After a few months, I couldn’t stand the craving anymore. I had to “make” it appetizing to my kids or I was going to become a closet chili-holic. I’d have it stashed in hidden cabinets and mini-fridges around the house, shamefully stealing a scoop between loads of laundry and homework assignments.
The first step in my battle against chili-naysaying offspring was finding out what it was that they didn’t like about it. My oldest boy didn’t like the spiciness and my middle child didn’t think soup was an acceptable meal, because it was soup. There should be more to it.
Easy enough. I pour my heat-loather a bowl before I spice it up. That way, he doesn’t have to endure the pepper and I’m spared the dramatic, “Hot, hot, hot” dance.
For Mr. Soupisnotameallypants, I look around the pantry for odds and ends that will fill out the main course. He’s had it over leftover hotdogs, nacho chips and mashed potatoes.
All in all, the negotiations and extra prep time are next to nothing and I don’t have to sacrifice one of my favorite foods on the planet just to save my sanity.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/freakapotimus/370290347/
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