Fish fingers are a favourite food for kids, but getting children to eat other quality fish can at times be a little tricky. Here’s the secret method.
Fish fingers have long been a favourite food for kids, but getting children to eat other quality fish can at times be a little tricky. And it shouldn’t be hard; fish is good for you and oh so delicious. So to help you encourage your little ones to eat more fish, here are a few top tips:
Plan Meals Together
Children are more likely to clear their plate if they enjoy the food and are looking forward to eating it. Get your little ones excited about meal times by planning them out together.
This way you can make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need, and they will feel like a big boy or girl, being able to make grown up decisions.
Another great idea is to create a colourful and interactive food chart. This could display the weekly menu and follow their healthy eating progress. Give them a star for every meal they finish!
Go Food Shopping Together
And once you know what you will be cooking for the week, go shopping together! Allow your child to hold the list or push the trolley so they feel like they have a ‘job’ to do.
This will teach them more about food, and is a good chance for you to spend some quality time together.
Cook Together
And finally when you have the ingredients, it’s time to cook together; this is the fun bit! Don a chef hat, tie or an apron and wash your hands. It’s time to get messy.
But wait, what are you going to cook? Why not try this delicious, and child friendly recipe? It uses great quality ingredients too!
Salmon Fish Cakes
Ingredients:
80g fresh salmon fillet
75g potatoes
50g breadcrumbs
25g red onion
10g Cheddar cheese
1 spring onion
1 egg
A pinch of salt and pepper
Method:
Start off by preparing your ingredients. Cut the fish up into small bite sized pieces, peel and chop the potatoes into chunks, grate the cheese. Slice up the spring onion and red onion. And finally beat the egg lightly in a small bowl.
The next step is to boil the potatoes in a medium pan of water for around 15 minutes or until they are tender. You can tell when they’re done by using a simple fork test – does it go in smoothly?
When done, drain and mash them before stirring in the salmon, cheese and both types of onion. Mix well until completely combined.
Pour in the breadcrumbs and egg. This is what will bind the mixture.
Add a little salt and pepper for added flavour, and then chill in the fridge for around an hour, so it firms up.
Remove from the fridge, and using your clean hands, scoop a handful of mixture at a time from the bowl. Roll it into a patty shape and cover with a few more breadcrumbs before placing on a baking tray. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
Preheat the oven to 200°C or gas mark 6, and cook the cakes for around 10 minutes. You may like to oil the tray slightly first so they don’t stick. Make sure to flip them half way through.
Once done you should be left with deliciously golden, round fish cakes that your children can’t wait to eat. And that is how you get kids to eat more fish!
John Ross Junior is a family run business from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, that sells high quality and luxury foods, specialising in smoked salmon and truly traditional ingredients for both classic and modern recipes. Fine foods are just a click away.
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