Raffi’s Green Day
by rubadubdublog
So, it’s finally happened. The child that once ate everything has finally turned. I knew it was coming but somewhere deep inside I was holding out hope that she was going to be this unquestioning, obey-everything type of child who would just sit and eat all of the crazy things I placed in front of her. I think it’s probably called insanity on my part…and growing up on her part.
So I’m having to be creative. At this stage this means mixing things that she does like with things that she likes less in order to encourage her to eat them. So in yesterday’s case that meant blending up the steamed veges that she hadn’t eaten for lunch into a green smoothie because I know she will always drink one of those. While I’ve never liked the idea of ‘hiding’ veges in kids’ meals (I think it’s important that they grow up knowing and liking the different tastes that veges have to offer), I have to remember that even adults have different tastes (hence the reason why I will never have any corn in any recipe on this blog. Ever.) and so I have forced myself to have the attitude that if I can provide her with healthy food prepared in a way that is more pleasing to her little tastebuds, then I will.
So to get to the point of today’s post – whenever I am worried about whether she has had enough greens (like I was this week) I give her (and me) a Green Day.
Here is this week’s Green Day lunch for both of us – eventually I would like to do a whole day’s worth of green meals for parent/s and baby however with the lead up to Christmas being so busy this one meal will have to do for now. In the meantime, if you are looking for other great green meals you could try this with some pasta or stuffed in mushrooms, or maybe even this.
Quinoa, Mixed Greens, Daikon and Apple
Serves 4
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
1/2 cup quinoa
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup daikon, grated
1 granny smith apple, grated
1-2 cups mixed leafy greens eg. silverbeet, english spinach, kale, chard, beetroot leaves etc
1/2 zucchini, grated
a few squeezes of lemon juice
feta cheese (optional)
olives (optional)
Rinse the quinoa and place in a saucepan with the coconut milk (or half coconut milk, half vegetable stock or milk if you prefer the taste). Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes stirring regularly. Once the quinoa has developed little tails on it, remove from the heat and put in a bowl to the side. In the same pan heat the olive oil with a pinch of sea salt and gently fry the greens, daikon and zucchini until just soft. Remove from heat and stir into the quinoa. Fold through the feta and olives. Serve with a few squeezes of lemon juice and grated apple on top to you and your little one and put the leftovers in the freezer for another few meals!
Green Smoothie
Serves 2
There are many fantastic green smoothie recipes out there – mine is quite simple – however some of these are also really worth checking out. Sarah Britton’s Mojito smoothie, Golubka’s Glass of Emerald (and while you’re there check out how beautiful the photography is on this site) and Whole Promise’s green smoothie are all wonderful options.
2 cups kale/silverbeet/english spinach
3/4 cup filtered water
a few ice cubes
1 orange peeled and chopped
1 kiwifruit peeled and chopped
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tsp super greens powder
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Add more water if you like a thinner consistency. Serve immediately.
Oh my goodness – that green smoothie. I can feel the goodness from here.
Zoe – Corn rules. In almost all forms and types. Bring on yellow day!
I have a one year old who is still very attached to breast feeding and isn’t all that interested in solids. I think I’ll try making him smoothie and see how it goes over! I particularly like the idea of sneaking some quinoa in there
Sounds like a great idea! I know all kids will be different but for Raffaella I do find the smoother it is the better and if I’m really struggling I’ll increase the fruit content and it goes down really well. Good luck!
I finally picked up some ingredients and made a smoothie for my little guy this morning. I played it safe and used only fruit (berries and bananas) in addition to yogurt and almond milk, and he seemed to like it! Next time I’m going to sneak in some greens and see how that goes over
[...] and enriching 2013. And for the first post of this year I’m going to do exactly what I said I would never do and give you a recipe with corn in it. I’m told it was [...]
I love the idea of a “green day”!
..I also love the recipes, your photos and the way your write. Lotsa love and big thumbs up to the whole package in fact
-Kristine
[...] chose to adapt the breakfast Beet, Seed and Blood Orange Cake because it seemed to epitomise their love for good food with a twist. I had to make a few changes [...]
Tried this for the first time last night and loved it. Even better, my 9 month old (Chloe) loved it also! We had been struggling trying to find recipes that all of us can enjoy. Can’t wait to try more!
Hi! So good to hear that you all liked it! I was thinking of doing a kids brekkie in one of the next few posts…after reading your comment I’ll definitely do it now!