Meal ideas that will feed a carnivore, a vegetarian and a toddler

[Anonymous]

I am mostly a vegetarian, although I will eat organic chicken and turkey. I love fruits, veggies, beans and grains. My toddler will pick at most things but usually does not eat much! My DH only eats carbs and meat. He despises veggies more than I despise meat. We are having major issues trying to make dinners at night that everyone likes and will eat. Any suggestions? We both work full time, so they must be healthy but quick dinner ideas. Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Not to be snarky, but its not going to be easy to make healthy meals that work for

1 - someone who wants vegetables and healthy items
2 - someone who wants meats and carbs only

Sounds like two different meals are the way to go. Maybe make a veggie meal one night and a meat meal the other, and then each eat leftovers on the off night.

[Anonymous]

Make your own tacos with a choice of ground beef and black beans, with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocado. All of that not in the taco shell works well for the toddler.

[Anonymous]

Indian?

[Anonymous]

Indian generally has plenty of vegetables.

I don't get how an adult can just say they 'hate vegetables'. It seems incomprehensible to me. How can you have a healthy diet without vegetables?

[Anonymous]

Cheese (and hidden veggie) lasagna with whole wheat pasta? You could always pick around the pasta.

[Anonymous]

I find that people who despise veggies have never eaten really good veggies. Have you grilled some zucchini on the barbecue for him, drizzled with a little olive oil? Tried some absolutely garden fresh tomato with mozzarella? Some guacamole and chips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find that people who despise veggies have never eaten really good veggies. Have you grilled some zucchini on the barbecue for him, drizzled with a little olive oil? Tried some absolutely garden fresh tomato with mozzarella? Some guacamole and chips.

So true!

My MIL was not a good cook and my dh was quite scarred when I met him, particularly in the vegetable department! He now eats EVERYTHING, including lots of veggies and in many cases likes the vegetarian option I make more. He chooses my vegetarian chili over the meat one, my sweet potato burgers over actual burgers and prefers my Indian cauliflower/potato curry over the chicken one. Are you sure he can't expand his taste buds - it would make your lives so much easier!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find that people who despise veggies have never eaten really good veggies. Have you grilled some zucchini on the barbecue for him, drizzled with a little olive oil? Tried some absolutely garden fresh tomato with mozzarella? Some guacamole and chips.

So true!

My MIL was not a good cook and my dh was quite scarred when I met him, particularly in the vegetable department! He now eats EVERYTHING, including lots of veggies and in many cases likes the vegetarian option I make more. He chooses my vegetarian chili over the meat one, my sweet potato burgers over actual burgers and prefers my Indian cauliflower/potato curry over the chicken one. Are you sure he can't expand his taste buds - it would make your lives so much easier!

A beautiful story of recovery from vegetable abuse!

[Anonymous]

you cook your meals, he cooks his meals, and you rotate who cooks for the toddler.

you should not be cooking two different meals each night. If you have to have separate meals, each person should cook for themselves. But at some point, someone is going to have to teach the toddler about balanced meals and compromise.

[Anonymous]

OP, will your husband eat something that has veggies in it? Like a stir fry?

I also like roasting a split chicken breast over potatoes, carrots, parsnips. Would he at least eat the chicken and potatoes? Caramelized veggies may win him over yum!

I also have eaten chili with beans and and fake ground meat like this:
http://www.lightlife.com/Vegan-Food-Vegetarian-Diet/Smart-Grounds-Original

It still tasted hearty and delicious.

[Anonymous]

This is from Everyday Food (PBS):

1. Preheat oven to 425F. In a lidded baking dish, whisk 3 cups water, 3/4 cup corn meal, 1 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

Cover and bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through (e.g., after the 15 minutes).
2. Remove from oven, add 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup milk. Whisk briskly until smooth. Serve immediately.

(I often add parmesan cheese.)

It's great topped with sauteed mushrooms and sauteed spinach and garlic on the side. YUM.

Also, OP, I would have cuts like flank steak that DH can cook up super fast if he wants to add some red meat to the meal.

[Anonymous]

This is our new fav recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Tasty-Lentil-Tacos

My 3 YO isn't picky, but he likes to eat things deconstructed- so eats his lentils in a bowl, and I have to take them out before the salsa is added, because DH and I like spicy salsa and DS doesn't. He eats cheese, tomatoes, olives on the side and I cut up some fruit for him.

Your DH will not care that there is no meat in this recipe. Read the reviews. It is sooooooooooooooo good. We make it every other week.

[Anonymous]

Also, we like to make quesadillas of all sorts- again, DS isn't into spicy, so we leave whatever is spicy out of his- and recently we made pizza-dillas, sauce, turkey pepperoni, cheese- hit for the whole house.