Toddler Food - Salmon, Sweet Potato Croquettes

Based on her sushi consumption, G. really likes fish. Cereal, raisins, they won't cut it. When's he getting back with more sushi?

She also loved the fish breakfast at Jack's in Aina Haina, the butterfish at Mr. Ojisan in Kapahulu, and the mahi from Fresh Catch in Kaimuki. We eat a lot of fish when we're in Hawaii but I'm picky and don't like a lot of the fish around here. Canned fish is a known quantity, though, and works great in croquettes. Add some sweet potato and they are a toddler favorite in this house.

Salmon Sweet Potato Croquettes
7.5 ounces canned red wild salmon, drained
8 ounces mashed sweet potato
1/2 cup cooked brown rice
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon minced green onion
pinch black pepper

Flake salmon carefully into small bits, being sure to crush up all the bones. Remove any bones you can't crush. Mix in remaining ingredients. Chill until cold, approximately 30 minutes. Drop in 1-1/2 tablespoon scoops onto a greased or parchment lined baking sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes.

Toddler Food - Turkey Spinach Meatballs

I'd like to note that all of these little food bites taste really quite good to adults, too. The only thing I'd change is to add a little bit of salt.

These meatballs are sort of a success. She likes them slightly warmed, broken into smaller pieces, and only from Mommy. I think part of the problem is she ran into a tough bit of cartilage early on and decided they are kind of suspect. Still, given she doesn't really like the texture of meat in general, these work well.

Turkey Spinach Meatballs
4 ounces ground dark meat turkey
1-1/2 tablespoons applesauce
1/4 cup frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained
1/2 tablespoon minced shallot

Using hands, combine all ingredient thoroughly. Shape into 1 to 2 tablepoon size balls. Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Toddler Food - Pumpkin Tofu Bites

So we are past the baby food. But in typical toddler fashion we have food issues.

Number 1: She is awfully picky about biting into things and textures. I'll admit, I'm just as likely to tear off pieces of bread-type things rather than take bites, but she just hates to take a bite out of anything! Even teething biscuits aren't worthy of biting.

Number 2: Sometimes she just won't eat something she used to love. For weeks. Peas were a daily favorite for months. Now, if she sees a pea, it's all over. It reminds me of feeding my grandmother with dementia.

Fortunately, she seems to eat anything I make into nugget/croquette form. This has been a theme for the last month and I figure it's best to document all these recipes in case I want to make them again.

Pumpkin and tofu were always favorite foods so I started with that. She really seems to like these and they freeze very well.

Pumpkin Tofu Bites with Broccoli

10 ounces firm tofu, drained and minced

8 ounces pumpkin puree (about 3/4 cup)

5 ounces cooked brown rice (about 3/4 cup)

1/4 cup flour

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2 ounce frozen broccoli, defrosted and minced (about 1/2 cup)

1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Combine the tofu and pumpkin, mash slightly. 

Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop in 1 Tablespoon balls on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400° F for 20 minutes.