Question:
Family of five here, need protein ideas I can incorporate for the whole gang~

I'm at my wit's end here! I have two children 3 and 4, your typical mac and cheese, noodles, hotdogs, etc. My 12 year old, very picky, if I try to make something new its a fight. Hubby eats whatever I fix him *S*, but I feel like that commercial Country Buffet, where the Mom is fixing several different meals for her family. Any ideas?    — Dina M. (posted on August 1, 2002)

August 1, 2002
I have a 2 yr old, 3 yr old nad 6 yr old so I know what you mean. I make plan baked chicken breasts and put alot of toppings on the table so everyone is really making their own dish. I usually have BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ketchup, ranch dressing with bacon bits and spaghetti sauce. You can reuse this same things over and over and everyone only eats what they like. GOOD LUCK!
   — Shannon L.

August 1, 2002
I live in Lousiana so we eat a lot of fish and seafood which is a good source of protien. I also make dishes with a lot of cheese in it. I can remember my grandmother use to good one big good meal. If we didn't like it then we were on our own. Might sound cold, but you don't want to be a slave to the kitchen making 3 meals. Your children might just learn to try new things and like it. There are great recipes on the web if you search for them. They might help you out. Good Luck.
   — Sarah K.

August 1, 2002
Try this web site http://geocities.com/kathywls/index.html. Scroll down and you find a wealth of recipes for Gastric by-pass that are great for families too.
   — Cheryl S.

August 1, 2002
We eat a lot of cold dinners because my main meal is lunch. I am never very hungry at dinner. Usually a cold dinner is one or two meats (deli sliced or a rotisserie chicken), cubed or sliced cheese, one or two fruits, and one or two veggies (baby carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, li'l tomatoes, etc.). You can mix and match, the kids can make a sandwich if they want from the fixin's. My daughter (4 years old) likes to eat with her fingers!<p>If you want to have an "adult" meal, I usually fix the kiddo some Easy Mac and fruit or baby carrots. She's happy : We're happy!<p>Also family-friendly classics work. If we have spaghetti I use more meat in the sauce, put less pasta on my plate and melt a slice of provolone or shredded mozzarella over it in the microwave. I like chicken thighs simmered in cream of mushroom (or cream of chicken) soup over rice--again less rice for me, more of the accompanying veggie and a nice piece of chicken. Pork is good that way, too. My DH makes this chicken dish that bakes in the oven for 20 minutes and is out of this world. It is chicken thighs "breaded" with bread crumbs, seasonings, and parmesan cheese. If you can just find a few protein sources that everyone can agree on concentrate on that and let everyone else fill up on the rice/potatoes/pasta with their big ol' tummies! =)
   — ctyst

August 2, 2002
Thank you everyone for the suggestions, I'll be sure to try them out!
   — Dina M.