Want to get the DC into rice, got any simple rice recipes without too many veggies?

[hudyerwheesht]

I have 2 fussy eaters (6 and9) and I want to get them eating rice. Mild curry has not gone down well so was thinking something quite plain with maybe a few veg like peas - kind of a risotto for kids, anyone got any suggestions/recipes?
I have a limited range to choose from: peas, smoked sausage, bacon, chicken (at a push) and all the kids recipes for this sort of thing are colourful dishes of mixed peppers and mushrooms, etc which my kids won't eat.
Any ideas?

Do they like eggs? Egg fried rice is a favourite with my kids and you can add what you like to that.

I do a risotto with chicken, bacon and a handful of peas that always goes down well.

Will they eat eggs? How about egg fried rice with some chopped ham?

Also, how about cooking it in chicken stock instead of plain water, just to give it a bit of flavour (you could add peas, sweet corn etc but not necessary) and serve it on the side with some chicken?

Eggs might work, they like omelette smothered in tomato ketchup

I wondered about the stock vs. water, I would normally use stock but that's with risotto rice, it never seems to go right with long grain rice also I'm wondering if I'm better keeping it plain...

Will they eat smoked fish, or prawns? If so try a kedgeree/pilaff type thing and use saffron/turmeric so it's yellow. Works with peas in too, and hard boiled eggs on top if eggs are ok

Mmm, kedgeree, I could eat that now...
No, sadly fish is out unless it is in finger form. I'm realising just how fussy the little buggers are now.

I like the egg fried rice idea with maybe bacon and peas, I think I could persuade them on that. Would that be with long grain rice?

What is a risotto for kids? Why not just do a normal risotto? Is it salt content that you're worried about? Surely if the kids are older than 1 and you give them half an adult portion you won't do any harm. I always chuck a glass of white wine into risotto as well - the alcohol will evaporate as it cooks so no worries there.

No, not worried about salt content, I just meant a plainer version of a risotto, probably without the stock because as I said, I thought if it was plainer there would be more chance they would eat it plus wasn't sure they would take to the slight stodginess of risotto rice and I can't get long grain rice to cook well in stock (which is probably just me).

My mum used to make savoury rice a lot, which was long grain rice, onion, bacon, peas and sweetcorn. You can do it with whatever you like - I add a stock cube and a splash of soy sauce

Make your normal risotto eg with bacon and peas, then the next day do rice balls (Arancini) for them.

I make lots of different sizes (balls and fingers and flat ones), dip in egg, roll on flour and shallow fry till crispy.

They look enough like "beige foods" to get under the radar, and are eaten with lashings of tomato ketchup.

Mine like cheesy rice-just grated cheese mixed in. Sometimes sneak a few peas in too

How are they about eating out?
A lot of things my kids eat have come from trying something when we ate out.
An all you can eat cheap lunch buffet at a Chinese restaurant or a world buffet type place always goes down well with my lot! Because they can help themselves it seems to encourage them to try other stuff.
Or to save the frustration I took a tip from years ago reading 'Toddler Taming'' he said give them a ready prepared version of something first and then you won't be stressed when they don't eat it. I think you can get birds eye frozen small portions of egg fried rice/ rice and peas. If they like it then you can cook it yourself next time.

long grain rice is better 'fluffy' and separated, like plain boiled.
for risotto or rice pudding where it's 'wet' you need short grain.
Maybe they just don't like the way you're cooking it I know I always hated DM's and now I realise it was soggy/overcooked

ooh, I like the Arancini idea! I would eat them too, bloody love Arancini.

Cheesy rice sounds good too - cheese has been the vehicle to them trying many a new food.

Thanks for the ideas, everyone, I'm feeling inspired and optimistic.

Yes i was going to suggest rice with cheese grated in. My ds loves that. Can also stir in some leftover Bolognese sauce.

Do they like pesto? Mine love rice, pesto and peas mixed together. DS1 also has cream cheese with his. DS2 doesn't like cream cheese so has ordinary cheddar-ish cheese melted in or cashew nuts. If they don't like pesto but do like cream cheese, would they go for rice, cream cheese, tomato ketchup and peas?! I've not tried it but I'm imagining it would be a bit like marie rose sauce, and it does include the peas!