Question of the week #9

Images-2After all the talk last week about the storm, let's turn our thoughts to food.  I have combined two questions together this week because they work well together.

How did you get your kids so interested in food? 

What are your favorite go to recipes for dinner that are quick and healthy?

Food has always been an important part of my life.  My Mom was an excellent cook and my Grandmother was an excellent baker.  Even my father's mother had her special recipes she would make when she visited like kreplach and blintzes.  Making good food has always been part of my life which includes spending time in the kitchen. 

When the kids were young they always saw me making dinner.  What I made that night was what we ate.  There were no exceptions.  If you didn't like it, you didn't eat.  I was not a short-order chef.  Granted there are some things that they kids might really dislike but the rule is that you must give it a try.  I never really made food that was so out there that the kids had no interest.  I stuck to the basics and gradually added a little more depth as they got older such as brisket. 

I also engaged the kids in the process.  Having them help me make the meal, bake the cookies, set the table, clear the table etc.  That is probably why all three of our kids enjoy cooking and baking…and of course good food. 

I really cook healthy and simply.  I make a protein and a vegetable.  When the kids were younger I used to also make a starch but at one point I stopped doing that but have brought it back into the mix for Josh and Fred. 

Here are a few of my standards:

Roasted chicken with roasted vegetables and rice or broiled chicken.

Marinated hanger steak, large green salad and roasted potatoes on the side or pan-fried brussel sprouts.

Roasted pork loin with onions and apples with roasted broccoli and cauliflower on the side.

Bottom line, I mix it up depending on what it is in season and what everyone is in the mood for.  The dishes are easy to make.  Once in awhile I get creative making a stir-fry or a pasta sauce but on a day to day basis I go simple, fresh and easy. 

Comments (Archived):

  1. CCjudy

    I really like that line – I am not a short order cook… J

  2. Ella Dyer

    Again, reading your blog has made me hungry (and inspired me!). Thanks for being a parent,Ella

  3. Susan Rubinsky

    One thing I always did (and still do) is put the food out in bowls on the dining room table. That way each person is in charge of taking what they want to eat and how much. Also when kids see you eat two helpings of asparagus they get interested. You don’t need to say anything, but they eventually want to try the thing you keep eating. Maybe it takes 10 different meals over six months but eventually, they will give it a try.

    1. Gotham Gal

      Totally. Serve yourself. I always thought it was strange when I went to peoples home and the food was portioned out

  4. Julia Wilson

    Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite veggies and I think it’s from you making them for Xmas eve when I was young. Yum.

    1. Gotham Gal

      🙂

      1. Laura Yecies

        I never liked Brussels sprouts growing up – we always had them steamed. Once I discovered roasted ones they are now one of my favorites.

  5. Angela Moulton

    I grew a garden on our suburban lot (tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs). The kids helped and would eat the produce out of hand like candy. I also baked with them and had them help preparing and cleaning up. I have always done similar to you, simple, fresh, and as close to whole as possible.We go with the seasons. One of my daughter’s favorite dishes is pasta with sauteed veggies. We’ve been playing around with grains like millet, quinoa, and chia seeds. The kids love smoothies. My teenage son protests if I don’t include meat or fish a few times a week. I do like the crockpot in the fall/winter. Hungarian Goulash, chili, and swedish meatballs are favs.

    1. Gotham Gal

      love the winter stew. seasonal works for me otherwise you get bored of the same old same old.

  6. TanyaMonteiro

    im looking forward to the gothamgal cook book for moms who want their kids to love food………

    1. Gotham Gal

      ha. on the “to do” list.

  7. ShanaC

    My question got answered! (I asked about easy healthy recipes for dinner). And that pork sounds good 🙂

  8. pointsnfigures

    Are you sure you aren’t cooking in my kitchen! seriously we eat the same stuff-although I get my steaks from tallgrassbeef.

    1. Gotham Gal

      Ha. Mine come from Dickinsons market