Vegetarian meals for a fussy eater

[JAK]

Am trying to reduce meat and eat more vegetarian meals. However, ds loves his meat and only eats certain types of foods still.

The main vegetarian meal he eats is quiche. He doesn't like pumpkin or mushrooms, spices or curry or cheesy foods. He also likes foods separated mostly, so meat and 3 veg type meals are his favourite. He often refuses vegetables, but other days will eat everything.

I'm after a range of food ideas to try out with ds. We're gluten free and additive, colour, preservative mostly free. So give me your best vegetarian meals for the fussy child.

[ali_celt]

will he eat potato fritters? Like, pancake things with grated veg in them (i cheat and use the GF pancake batter in the shakey thing, i LOVE the Orgran Buckwheat one!)

You can make a whole meal out of them, just grating up the veg and throwing it in the batter. I tend to cook them a little slower so the veg is properly soft.

You could also just do basic potato cakes with carrot and zuchinni in them too, without the pancake mix, if you can have cheese to hold it all together (we can't coz we're DF atm too!)

Ummmm if he doesn't like things too mixed up (I have one like that too, i hear you!) does he like veg raw rather than cooked? Master 6 quite likes his brocolli and cauliflower raw in little crunchy florets, and although I haven't yet convinced him to go the hommous dip yet, master 5 will. ( i make a rather mild hommous here tho - not too spicey at all!).

Baked potato with baked beans and avocado is good - but then, we have a fall-back standard lazy meal here, which is GF corn chips, baked beans, salsa and avocado, with grated cheese for the non DF amongst us.

It's a bit tricky if you don't make your own beans and salsa though. Mind you they are pretty easy to make yourself.

I have to go out an buy some more dried navy beans soon because I want to start canning my baked beans again ASAP as it's just so easy to crack a jar and re-heat!

That's all I can think of for now, sorry!

[skn]

What about sushi or rice paper rolls (with maybe sweet chilli sauce for dipping?

Or vegetarian 'sausage' rolls. I've not found a good recipe yet, but I'm sure there's one out there. I think it's made of things like lentils, grated carrot, onion, bread crumbs (which you could do gluten-free).

[ali_celt]

oooh forgot about Sushi! How could i have forgotten about sushi!! *drool*

[skn]

Soooo yum! To be honest, I don't make it...I find it too fiddly (only tried once though), but I know a few people do make it...I also find rice paper rolls too fiddly, but then some kids might have fun making them...

[JAK]

Thanks.

Ds loves sushi and spring rolls (with the rice paper rolls), I keep forgetting about them.

Must try those potato fritters. He doesn't really like raw veges, though I persist with them. It can take up to 10 times before he accepts a new food, so I just add it in every now and then.

We can eat dairy, but both of us can't eat very cheesy foods (haven't a clue why). I have a low tolerance level for dairy and I think ds is the same.

Any more?

[mamma]

hommus and veggie sticks for dipping?
my ds does the seperate food thing too *sigh* i remember washine pasta sauce off pasta!
what about pasta with a sauce? you can grate a whole heap of veg into a tomato base and puree so theres no evidence ;) also, adding lentils/beans for protein

can your ds help with food prep, do you think that would hrlp? can he search for recipes online using a fav food and find something hed like to try?

[~kaoss~]

Our love vege meal is burritoes, using a bean con carne. The kids put them together themselves, roll them up and they love them.

[JAK]

can your ds help with food prep, do you think that would hrlp?

It's a textural thing mostly for him, part of his autism I suspect. He also resists change, which is why he often won't take something on the first try (so I keep trying and trying and eventually he usually likes it).

Will try some different sauces and put them to the side for him. Bean con carne for tacos might be a winner here. He doen't like the gluten free wraps, nor gluten free pizza bases (so pizzas aren't a hit here).

[cherish]

my kids also hate change in their food.. I don't think that's just children with autism.. I often throw out what I have cooked.. cause they won't eat something new..

[jemmaf]

How about pizzas? With tomato, onoin, roast pumpkin, capsicum, spinach/asian greens, whatever you have on hand really. Quick and easy. My son doesnt even notice the greens, it is hidden underneath everything, I try to be very strategic with the layering!