2010 New Year's Resolution and purpose of this blog

My 2010 New Year's resolution may prove to be an insurmountable challenge as it involves not just changes to myself but also major changes in my children!! I pledge to try a new recipe each week (not frozen or out of a box) in an effort to expose my 3 children to new foods and expand their palate. The goal is that by the end of the year they will be eating what we eat (more or less) and I'll no longer be a stressed out short-order cook on the fast-track to the Betty Ford Clinic!

I tried to convince my kids that trying new foods would be a good resolution for them this year but they weren't biting! (pun intended)

This is also an experiment to determine what causes a picky eater? Is it genetic? Are some kids just not as adventurous as others when it comes to trying new foods? (Perhaps the frequent gagging at my dinner table is a sign that may be my answer!) Or is it that I've been lazy and haven't really forced the issue or exposed them to enough new foods on a consistent basis? Maybe it's karma because I was a picky eater myself as a child??

Getting my kids to eat new meals at dinnertime has been the greatest source of my parental frustrations. I LOVE food and trying new recipes but cooking is a lot of effort when you're doing 2 separate meals every night and you have a toddler clinging to your legs! I'm hoping this little experiment might put an end to the insanity, chaos, gagging, whining and wine consumption that ensues in our household every night! Isn't mealtime supposed to be a time of family happiness? Please tell me there is light at the end of this 52 week tunnel??? I'll keep you posted.....

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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Week 1: Bobby's Baked Chicken with Dijon & Lime (courtesy of Paula Deen)

The ingredients:












BOBBY'S BAKED CHICKEN WITH DIJON & LIME:

1 (3 1/2 lb) chicken, cut into 8 pieces (skin removed on some so kids can try skinless)
4 Tbs Dijon Mustard
2 Tbs Mayo
1 Garlic Clove, minced
Finely grated zest and freshly squeezed juice of 1 Lime
3/4 Tsp pepper
Salt to taste
Chopped parsley to garnish (optional)("green things" don't go over well in my house!)

- Preheat the oven to 400. Rinse the chicken and pat dry. In a bowl, whisk together the mustard, mayo, garlic, lime zest and juice and pepper.
- Season the chicken generously with salt.
- Pour the mustard-mayo mixture over the chicken, tossing well to coat.
- In a large baking pan, arrange the chicken in a single layer.
- Bake until it is cooked through; breasts take about 30 minutes and legs will need 5 to 10 minutes more. Turn on broiler for last 2-3 mins. to crisp & brown the top of the chicken
- Serve the chicken with pan juices drizzled over top and garnished with chopped parsley. (Again parsley optional if your kid is afraid of anything green)

PARENT REVIEW: Quick & Easy, healthy meal....rating: 7.5
HAYDEN (9): "It's squeashy....I'll give it a 6." (it only took him 15 mins. to take the first bite and he ate half of it...major progress!
SAMMY (7): "I like it...but not the spicy bites....I'll give it an 8." An hour later he comes over to give me a hug and says... "thank you Mom for making dinner..I really liked it." (that will get you extra dessert everytime!!)
ANNA (2): Gobbled it up...to date not a picky eater! (fingers crossed)

OVERALL RATING: 7-7.5

Side note: The white rice on the side was a hit but the sweet potato fries were deemed a 1! (don't get that...how can you not like french fries?!)
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