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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think pasta pesto isn't a universal kid friendly meal?

258 replies

IHaveBrilloHair · 13/02/2017 18:16

I often see this stated as a meal that all kids like, up there with pizza/nuggets/fishfishfingers, but I honestly don't know many kids who like it, and know more who wouldn't know what it is.
Dd's too old for playdates now but I'd never have served it, not in a million years, is it really universal kid food?
Admittedly we live in a small Scottish town but we have a Waitrose, and a Private school, it's not some weird backwater.

OP posts:
BadToTheBone · 13/02/2017 21:21

None of us like it, but I do replace with tomatoey sauce on a pizza with pesto, which we all really like, go figure!

bostonkremekrazy · 13/02/2017 21:25

we all like it - dd has a dairy and soya allergy but we found a pre-made one that she can have so job done :) does contain pine nuts though so not suitable for lots of the LOs on this thread.

I put peas and sweetcorn through it , and shredded chicken - yum!

zukiecat · 13/02/2017 21:30

I hate Pesto, so would never inflict it on anyone else

We all love a tomato based pasta sauce though

emochild · 13/02/2017 21:31

I did it as a lunch option on brownie pack holiday

Other leaders told me I was going to be wasting food

I ended up having to make extra, the girls loved it

HeadDreamer · 13/02/2017 21:34

Both mine loves pesto pasta. Took them much longer to like pizza. DD1 was 4yo before she would touch it for example.

BathshebaDarkstone · 13/02/2017 21:37

None of mine like pesto, and I have one who wouldn't eat pasta when he was little, unless it was out of a tin and shaped like Postman Pat. Hmm

twilightcafe · 13/02/2017 21:37

My DC would eat pesto pasta and broccoli every day if I let them.

Silverstreaks · 13/02/2017 21:48

DD would eat pasta pesto morning, noon and night given the choice. It doesn't matter if it's the vile stuff in the jar, the fresh stuff in a tub or lovingly blitzed at home. She does not like pizza or fish fingers.

SpermThroughASashWindow · 14/02/2017 17:19

IHaveBrilloHair My two refuse this too. I also live in a Scottish town with a private school and a Waitrose. Wondering if I know you!

m0therofdragons · 14/02/2017 17:24

My 3 would eat pesto pasta every day if they could. Not keen on nuggets though.

1bighappyfamily · 14/02/2017 17:25

DD2 LOVES it. DD1 is pretty agnostic. I think I first used it when we were on holiday. I hate the total lack of nutritional value so generally chuck in a bit of chicken, peas, or cheese or something.

It's saved my bacon many a time when we've been rushing home from somewhere and i want to get something fast into them. I cook the pasta, shove a few peas in from the freezer a couple of minutes before I drain it and whack some grated cheese on top. Seven minute slattern dinner that everyone will eat.

QuackDuckQuack · 14/02/2017 17:29

My two like it. But I don't think there is such a thing as a universal kid meal. I always check with parents that what I am planning to serve is something their kid will eat as I don't see the point in serving them something they don't like.

MaisyPops · 14/02/2017 17:32

Pasta with tomato sauce and cheese would be more universal. But pesto is also brilliant.

Craigie · 14/02/2017 17:32

I'd rather stab myself repeatedly in the leg with a fork than ever put pesto in my mouth, so wouldn't even consider it to be child friendly food. The more kids I meet as my own children's friends networks widen, the more you realise there is no such thing as universal kid friendly food.

Silentplikebath · 14/02/2017 17:32

YANBU. I'd prefer to have no sauce on pasta than eat pesto.

SquinkiesRule · 14/02/2017 17:33

Pasta was a favorite of all my kids, pesto not so much, only Dd ate and liked it, but stopped around age 4. But she doesn't like potatoes or any pasta sauces now, where are the boys still eat pasta and all kinds of sauces.

Dearlittleflo · 14/02/2017 17:38

I love it but much prefer freshly made (also it's nice with different nut/leaf combos). Not fussed on the jars.

DS will eat anything, DD almost nothing and certainly not pesto. I haven't encouraged her especially because it's not particularly nutritious. Can see the appeal of speed though.

myfavouritecolourispurple · 14/02/2017 17:39

My ds is 14 and he's only started eating pasta in the last few months. He does like pasta with pesto but it's a very new thing.

cauliwobbles · 14/02/2017 17:39

Pesto makes me gag and the children throw tantrums. It's the work of the devil.

apringle · 14/02/2017 17:43

My kids hate everything listed except maybe pizza. And I hate that kids menus are all beige junk food! I never use them.

farfarawayfromhome · 14/02/2017 17:44

My super fussy DD HATES pesto pasta....

hoddtastic · 14/02/2017 17:46

none of my 3 will eat that (one used to, but is now dairy free)

i also think it's horrible stuff - i do like a basil grande cocktail which is similar flavours without the yuckiness of having to eat pasta/pesto though.

Brokenbiscuit · 14/02/2017 17:47

My dd would happily eat pasta with pesto, or most other foods. However, she dislikes the beige processed food that people often assume kids will enjoy.

There are no universally liked foods, in my experience. Pizza used to be my "safe" option, but have found that some kids don't like that either. I tend to do buffet-type meals when kids come over now, and then they can just help themselves to what they want.

BunsyGirl · 14/02/2017 17:49

My kids hate pasta but they do love steak (on the pink side) and vegetables. This doesn't seem to be a problem in any other country we have visited but for some reason nuggets and baked beans and bland pasta is all that is on offer on kids menus in this country.

mammamic · 14/02/2017 17:54

YABU because there is no such thing as universal kid friendly food so pesto is not alone.

We love it in our house. But we make our own as it's much nicer. the shop bought stuff is very bitter.

Olive oil. pecorino cheese or parmesan (we do a mix). pine kernels. basil. whizz it up. keeps for months, though in our house, it doesn't last that long.