Beans and Guacamole
I made [Venezuelan Black Beans] last night from scratch, got some guacamole, and found some tortilla chips in the pantry. With Julie being out of town, I thought I had made a wonderful meal for myself and the kids. And I did—at least I enjoyed it! Unfortunately, Anika liked the chips and guacamole to the exclusion of the beans. Beans are so good for you that a health conscious father like me wasn’t too pleased with such a nefarious exclusion by his daughter. Call me hyper-vigilant. I can’t deny it!
Tonight I decided to make the same thing again since our leftover guacamole and beans were perishable. This time, though, I was determined to make the whole dish more palatable to them so they’d eat it all and get a more balanced meal. I got the lettuce (something I had forgotten last night) and realized they might eat it, but they would more likely just avoid it. Then I had the wonderful idea of shredding it finely with a vegetable knife rather than giving it to them in big old chunks like I often do. I figured they’d be more likely to eat it that way.
I slathered the guacamole directly on the beans so it’d be hard to separate. I added the shredded lettuce to that. Then I crushed up the chips and placed them on top. Then I just mixed it all up with a spoon: beans, guacamole, crushed chips, and finely shredded lettuce, right before serving it. Oh, and then I drizzled fresh lime juice over it.
And they ate all the items because they were all mixed in together and not easily separable.
Isaac loved it (he’s a good eater). And I have to say that Anika liked it (although she’s not quite the “adventurous eater” type). I think she was on a slightly rebellious kick, i.e., “I don’t want to eat it because daddy wants me to.” What a sweetheart. I wish I could say she gobbled it up, but all she could say was, “can I have a chocolate chip after this?”
All in all, I think it was a success. The kids got a well balanced meal!
And I gave them each a whole grain chocolate chip cookie afterwards!