18-36 Months: Eating with the Family – Meals without Tears (part 2) – Hidden Vegetable Tomato Sauce

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Multivitamins?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vitamin drops for all under-twos .
It’s a good idea to continue to give your child a multivitamin and
mineral tablet if he is a fussy eater, as it will contain a little of
all of the nutrients he needs for growth and development. “Drops” may be
your best bet, because they reduce the potential risk of choking. If
you go for chewable tablets, avoid those with sugar or artificial
sweeteners.

Did you know…

that it can take up to 10
times for a food to become “familiar”? Before this, children may reject
it completely, or experiment a little by touching or smelling it, and
even licking it or putting bits in their mouths before spitting them
out. This is all part of the process of acclimatization. Continue to
offer the food until he shows interest. Be patient, though, and remember
that we all have foods we dislike; as long as he’s eating more than
he’s rejecting, he’ll be fine.




Hidden Vegetable Tomato Sauce

Tomato sauce is so versatile and I always keep a stash of it in my freezer to use with pasta, chicken, fish, or on pizzas. Since this is puréed, no one will ever know that vegetables are hidden in it.

10 minutes

26 minutes


NOTE

8 child portions

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 red onion, chopped

  • 1 small carrot, grated

  • 1/2 small zucchini, grated

  • 1/4 small, red bell pepper, chopped

  • 1/4 sweet apple, cored and grated

  • 1 garlic clove, crushed

  • 28oz can crushed tomatoes

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  1. Heat the olive oil in
    a large saucepan and gently cook the onion, carrot, zucchini, red
    pepper, and apple until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes,
    stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.

  2. Add the remaining
    ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, partially cover, and
    simmer gently until thick and all the vegetables are tender, about 20
    minutes. Stir from time to time.

  3. Purée the sauce in a
    blender or food processor. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool
    and refrigerate, or freeze in individual portions; when needed, thaw at
    room temperature. Reheat until piping hot, then cool slightly before
    serving.