Little Palates

many find cooking for toddlers in particular quite challenging. it's only because their taste buds are new to all the flavours that we adults are so used to. i have seen many mothers getting frustrated and ending up forcing food down their toddlers. if you happen to be one of those, i am not criticising your parenting method because my mother used to force mustard leaves (sawi) down our throats too and i am always indebted to her for cultivating the love for greens in us since we were young. never mind the bulging eyes and lethal glare. however, the forcing method did not work with nunu. he preferred to be encouraged instead, i wonder why though (note the sarcasm) and so i rewarded him with plentiful of praises and little treats. 

finish all your peas and you can have yoghurt after this.

finish your mushrooms because good boys eat up their mushrooms!

ooh look at that little tree on your plate, it looks reallly yummy! (referring to broccoli)

and the encouragement is never-ending. it is tiring to be enthusiastic all the time especially after kitchen duties but it is all worth it. so here it is, upon my cousin's request for an easy but absolutely scrumptious recipe that will tickle the palate of little fuss pots and never fails to win them over all the time :) 

Cornish Fish Pie

Ingredients :

1kg potato cut into large chunks

150g butter

750 ml milk

700g skinless white fish, dry well before cooking (cod, haddock)

2 bay leaves

100g prawns peeled (optional)

60g plain flour (i use organic flour, it's healthier)

small bunch of parsley chopped (dried one will do too)

100g grated cheddar cheese

Method :

1. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Simmer the potatoes for about 20 minutes until tender, then drain and mash with half the butter and a little milk. Season.
2. Meanwhile, bring the rest of the milk to a simmer in a frying pan, add the fish and bay leaves, cover and cook for 6-8 minutes. Remove the fish (keep the poaching milk) and flake into a dish, sprinkle the prawns on top.
3. Melt the rest of the butter in a pan, add the flour and mix, then gradually add 300ml of the poaching milk, mixing constantly until all the milk has been absorbed. Bring to the boil and simmer for a couple of minutes then take off the heat and mix in the parsley. Season. Pour over the fish and prawns. Spoon the mash over so it covers everything, then sprinkle with the cheese.
4. Cook for 20 minutes in the oven until the top is golden.

courtesy of bbc food network.

this dish can be enjoyed by the entire family. you can always cut down the ingredients if you're cooking only for little tummies. oh and you can also add carrots, sweet corn and peas if you like. makes it nicer me thinks! happy trying especially to my cousin, and i hope your little one loves it :)

ps: kalau dia tak suke jugak, kau try la buat menu jawa plak.