What do kids want for lunch?
I get asked this question a lot. The answer is mostly I don’t know.  I know, not the answer you expected. I write the hot lunch menus monthly and for the most part it is an easy proposition but truthfully, it can be difficult.  I always have to balance what the kids want to eat with what we as parents want them to eat. If they don’t like it, no matter how great it is, they won’t touch the stuff. What I am finding is that although Pizza and tacos are still the favorite, salmon and broccoli are good sellers. I would have never guessed that one.
As we start the new year, I am thinking about my own family and how we can bring more vegetables into our diets. We are good on the whole with fruits. Dried mango from Trader Joe’s is Sydney’s new favorite, but we can always use a few more veggies. I love to shop
at farmers’ markets on the weekend. It is inspirational to see and smell the vast array of vegetables, herbs and fruits. We usually make a big pot of soup with whatever is found atÂ
the market. Cook, eat, freeze, heat and eat. My kind of food.
Farmers Market Winter Vegetable Stew
3 cups hard winter vegetables…..yams, potatos, acorn squash, carrot…..or any ones that you like.
1/2 onion chopped small
1 cup soft vegetable……zucchini, green beans, peas….again, any ones that you like.
1 cup canned crushed tomato
2 cups chicken stock, vegetable stock or water.
salt & pepper to taste
1-3 cloves crushed garlic depending on taste
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons fresh chopped flat parsley
1/2 teaspoon thyme
In a large stock pot over med heat add oil and onions cook till just soft.
add hard vegetables, salt & papper, garlic,thyme, tomatoes and stock.
Cover, turn up heat till boiling then turn down to low and simmer for 45 min…till veggies are done.
add soft vegetables and cook for 15 more minutes.
add chopped parsley
check seasoning
You can also add any can of beans that you like just wash then thoroughly before adding
We like to add a little grated Swiss cheese to the bowlful.
Yum!