This weeks Sunday supper is about kids in the kitchen. That’s a good thing. As parents we should encourage our kids to help out, both in the creative process and in the execution of meals. Both recipes in this post were designed to make my Sonic the Hedgehog loving 5 year-old feel better about trying new foods. In one case, the entire dish was his creation. In both cases, he flatly refused to eat either of them once they were made.
Everyone else in the house happily enjoyed both however.
Now, I’m not going to say that the master creation of our 5 year-old is in any way healthy. We suggested “Hedgehog Meatballs” to him and he replied that what he really really wanted was a chili dog pie.
Yep… Chili Dog Pie…
Which left it up to the grown-up types to figure out how to make this delicacy happen. Luckily, we’re creative thinkers here at the cbsop test kitchens, and with a little thought and the help of our young apprentice, we got the thing done.
So… It’s not gourmet by any means… Or is it?
No it’s not. But it is remarkably good, considering that it is little more than smashed tater tots, hot dogs, canned chili and cheese. It’s about every food group that we’re taught to avoid as adults, all in one massive, calorie and fat laten treat.
The kids loved it. At least the kids that didn’t invent it. My wife and I liked it a little too much as well. It may not be good for you, but it is good, in a guilty pleasure kind of way. Kind of like a pizza… On crack. Yeah, it’s that good.
Chili Dog Pie
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12 Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 340Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 759mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 10g
For our second attempt at new foods, we tried the associative route. we decided we’d make “Hedgehog Meatballs” in honor of Sonic himself, hoping that the little guy would try them. They’re just a slight variation on the classic porcupine meatball from the 50’s, but we thought they might get him to try something new, especially if they looked like a real hedgehog…
Nope. Not a bite.
In any case, the other kids devoured them, which makes e feel a little better about myself since they’re a lot healthier than the first dish was. They were also a runaway hit, as the following picture describes better than I can in words.
1 1/2 pound lean ground beef 2/3 cup long-grain rice, uncooked 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1 Tablespoon Of Emeril's Essence or your favorite Cajun seasoning blend 1 large can (15 ounces) tomato sauce 1 cup water 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon Essence 5-6 grinds black pepperHedgehog Meatballs
Instructions
What I would have done differently had I thought of it at the time:
I wish that the youngest would have actually tried these meals. But he’s not only a five year-old, he’s also autistic. Some days are better than others. This wasn’t one of the better days. hopefully we’ll have better luck on another day.
And now dear friends, it’s nearly 3 AM as I write this, so please pardon any typos you might have seen in the preceding work. I think I’ve done enough for the day, so it’s off to bed for a few hours. Sweet Dreams!