Need reccomendations for picky kids

[maciascl]

My kids are so picky lately it is making me crazy & I am tired of making the same things over and over. I don't really like to cook to begin with so this makes it even harder. I need suggestions for things that are quick, easy & might please picky little ones. Recipes or cookbook suggestions are welcome!!!

I have started to make alot of things with rice on the side so if nothing else they can have rice with EVOO, Brags & nut yeast but they are tired of that too. They both usually love pasta. DS2 would live on refried beans & 'Mexican' rice or peanut butter sandwiches & doesn't like any cooked veggies. DS1 wants pizza & spagetti every night, but he does much better with veggies.

[germin8]

I don't have toddlers... just a 4 month old, but maybe I can give you some tips:

Do you have a sandwich maker?

I just started putting together a list of quick/easy foods to make. Unfortunately, it is not very long...

But, I ask about the sandwich maker, because I use it to make tomato-avo sandwiches... or use a bruschetta-type filling. Or, a pizza/spaghetti-type sauce with veggies (experiment). Or, if you use mock cheese/meats, you can make hot cheese sandwiches.

Some of the items on my "quick" meals list are:
Hummus wraps - Your favorite tortilla, spread hummus and stuff with mixed greens. Could add julienned cukes, avocado, carrots, sprouts, etc.
Haystacks - corn chips topped with your favorite bean (whole or mashed), topped with Mexican rice (optional). Then, add lettuce, black olives, tomatoes, salsa, etc. I make this with corn chips, tostadas, or those round flat whole corn tortilla tostadas "thingies" which then becomes 3 different kinds of dishes - haystacks, "nachos", and tapatias, respectively.

[crunchy_mommy]

My 20mo isn't picky but some of the things he gobbles up:

-vegan mac & cheese (usually with peas, swiss chard, broccoli, or green beans)
-sauteed mushrooms & artichokes
-beans, any kind
-baked or sauteed potatoes
-mushroom nuggets (from Voluptuous Vegan, a little more time-intensive but you can make a huge batch ahead of time & freeze them)
-grilled corn tortilla sandwiches filled with refried beans (and sometimes vegan cheese) & topped with avocado & salsa
-roasted veggies (squash, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, or whatever other combos we have on hand)
-glazed carrots (made my own version of this as a treat tonight & he LOVED it)

Don't have time to write anymore right now but I will add more later!!

[ZinniaGarden]

More recipe ideas?

DH and I have recently decided on a vegetarian diet for health reasons (and we both have lost at least 20 lbs in 3 mo!). Our kids are not thrilled with it. I have let dd cook some meat - chicken and fish - but I really want them happier with no meat meals. We will continue to allow moderate amounts of dairy and eggs, at least for a while.

On our fast and easy list is a garden salad adding in apples and chopped nuts - the kids love it.
We also do beans and rice with tomatoes in it - always easy but fast if you use canned beans.