My cousin asked about food… what do the boys like? What do I cook? Company was coming over last night… what would I make?
With six boys, and a husband that is usually not eating carbs, this is usually a challenge.
I am forever wanting to make healthy meals and instil healthy eating habits so the boys will just grow up hopefully making healthy eating choices.
It’s hard. Actually it is very hard. Chips after school is the easiest snack that shuts up the whining and one that everyones likes. Of course the flavour ranges from salt and vinegar, ketchup, all-dress, Doritos Sweet Chilli Heat and finally Doritos Spicy.
That being said, not a good choice, I know.
Meltdown hour is as soon as the boys say bye to their friends and shut the door. “Mommy, I am hungry.”
They don’t eat their lunches… oh they pick, nibble but do not eat enough to fill their bellies. So they are starving. We eat dinner at 5:30 pm. The problem is if they snack then they won’t eat. Then when they don’t eat, they are hungry after dinner. The problem with that is that means the kitchen never closed and dishes are never done. (Yes, they know to wash up… but it isn’t tidy to my liking).
So there is the issue of a snack that they like and yet that will allow for supper. When I am on the ball and organized… (lol) I put out the veggie tray and then they get the veggies done with. But that of course is accompanied by grumbling, except Josh, of course.
Mornings when we aren’t rushing out the door, they love pancakes, hash brown, tator tots, eggs, fruit, orange juice… if we are at a breakfast buffet… oh my gosh, it is heaven for them!
Usually it is cereal and when lucky, eggs and toast. Many of my boys are not morning people so the rush of eating isn’t too appealing. They usually make a show of eating to keep me quiet.
The boys favourite meals are Indian food. Hands down. No complaints. They love both Grandmas visiting or going to her house. It is a disappointment when she makes anything other than Indian food.
They love chicken curry, Grandma’s biriyani, (a combination of curry and rice … a treat), fish curry (my mom’s is a favourite). They even love rice and dahl with pickle (a very hot mix of mango or lemon etc to be eaten as a condiment). They have true Indian taste in their bones.
I do cook Indian food but once a week, usually. It can be time consuming. I also have to take into account if I want to make two meals when Sanj isn’t eating rice.
During the week, I usually cook quick meals… such as chilli, stir fry, a form of taco salads that they will eat as a salad or make wraps. The boys really like fish so I try to make that once a week.
Do I like to cook? I would say no if you are asking about everyday. I hate planning what we are going to eat… yet if I ask for opinions, I am greeted with an “I don’t know.” What they do know is they don’t like what I have made.
Yet then again, I do like to cook. I like to cook leisurely, trying out new recipes and cooking for company. Sanj’s family was over for supper last night. I enjoy cooking for my mother-in-law. She is appreciative of any kind of food… and willing to try anything.
Last night I made soup… I love soup! Yum! Sanj, for reasons I am not sure of, is not a fan of soup. I would say it isn’t a hearty meal for him. Anyways, I made a curry lentil soup… it was delicious. I tripled the recipe and still the boys were looking for more. It has sweet potatoes in it that the boys did not detect…. you could also add carrots and it would be top secret too.
I put out a veggie tray for snacking, as the kids would pop in from skating. For supper, I made wraps, for the adults and these were easy to make vegetarian for my sister in law. I left out the pumpkin seeds for the men. Also made wraps with cream cheese, broccoli, red pepper and some cheese for the kids which everyone ate too. Dessert was ice cream sandwiches.
It was a little time consuming but I cooked with my sister-in-law so it was nice working side by side.
I guess cooking is one of those things, as long as you are doing it with someone or making it for someone who will appreciate it, it can be enjoyable.