|
Eating as a family later means eating as a family now...
It was tradition in the royal family that until the child knew how to hold a knife and fork properly and which one to use in what order as well as being able to conduct his/ herself in an orderly manner at the table then their place was in the nursery with nanny to learn.
It seemed strange that a family wouldn't spend time together over a meal. It's not just in the royal palaces though, this decline in family values is widespread throughout the USA too. How many of us feed the kids first then put on the television or game consul for them to watch/play so that we can eat in peace? Or allow kids to grab a snack or sandwich on the way out of the front door.
As a strong advocate for "the family that eats together keeps together "it saddens me to see parents not making time or recognizing the importance of sitting down together as a family for at least one meal a day 'sans the television' It seems many people are just too busy, life is hectic and fast paced and we just don't have time to cook. In many homes around the country the evening meal is taken in front of the television, on the sofa and in several sittings. "I don't have time or feel like cooking when I get home from work so we eat out a lot or fend for ourselves" I hear, all too often.
But even eating out doesn't solve the problem as more and more 'family' restaurants install televisions - sometimes several, one tuned to cartoons and one the news channel - so as not to break the routine of customers. Worse, kids being given 'the kids menu' because it has "all of the things they like." Children are naturally inquisitive and try to emulate their parents as part of growing up. Not just in mannerisms and what we say and do (trust me, my four year old barks "get down" to the dogs just like a mini-me) Kids watch what food their parents eat too. Seeing mom getting second helpings of a dish because "this is delicious" sparks the curiosity in the child.
So, where do we start on our quest to get the family back around the dining table? Well of course it helps if you have a chef at home to plan and prepare dinner, someone who can look at family favorite dishes, likes and dislikes, allergies and illnesses and dietary needs. But if not, don't worry, you can do that.
Find a quiet time in the house when you can sit the family down together, I find the weekends work well for this. Bring out the notepad and pencil and start making a list of dishes that are family favorites. Draw up a seven day plan and write in any commitments for each day e.g. 'Monday 6:00pm soccer practice. Next, slot the dishes into the midweek section taking into account the commitments. It's no good putting baked potatoes down for Monday night, too much of a rush to get to soccer. Why not have pot roast Monday instead - put it in the oven when we get home from work - and eat when we get back from soccer ? Mmm, the smell of the meat cooking as you walk in the door will set everyone's appetite going, just enough time to lay the table while the kids shower and change. We need quick recipes for busy nights or better still, dishes that can be prepared ahead and reheated.
Look at each day next and try and balance the menu, it's what we do as chefs. Beef two nights in a row? Then move things around, place a fish or chicken dish in between. Vary the menu, macaroni and cheese may be our 'all time favorite' but it's not good for us every night. Try to work some healthy options into the planning too. Make a pot of chicken noodle soup instead of buying canned. Why not make double the amount, especially in the colder months. Who can resist a bowl of homemade chicken soup ? Canned soup is brimming with salt, more than half a person's daily quota in just half a can.
On 'chicken nuggets' nights instead of digging into the freezer for those pre-packed over breaded, often chopped and shaped and laden with sodium ones buy a pack of chicken tenders, dredge them in a little flour then into a bowl of beaten egg with a little honey and mustard beaten in and finally into a bowl of panko Japanese breadcrumbs. Lay them onto a baking sheet and spray with a little olive oil mist and bake. Of course you will get some family objections, these are not like the fast food ones, but after a few times of serving they will become the norm and we have introduced a healthier alternative dish into our family meals.
Start this process with dishes everyone likes, or that fit into dietary needs and then as the weeks go on start incorporating new dishes, healthy ones. While it's great to have our favorites on the menu some of the time it is important for children to try new foods and develop new tastes.
It is why once we have the family all together around the dining table for dinner I recommend the 'family style service.' This is where we place all of the food in the center of the table. "Yummy, that big dish of macaroni cheese looks good, I could eat it all but wait, look at that yucky bowl of broccoli. And what's this? Meatballs, turkey ones, we never have turkey meatballs!" This is where bargaining power and incentives come in. Insist that everyone has to have a little from each dish, yes including the broccoli. And yes of course you can have some more mac and cheese - when you have eaten everything else on your plate. Believe me, it works.
I remember at Kensington Palace, Princes William and Harry loved roasted chicken with roasted potatoes and requested them both as often as they could get away with. Far too much fat in both dishes for the health conscious Princess Diana however, so for her I would take the skin of her portion and placing the 'healthier' piece at one end of the dish. Her potatoes instead of baking in oil, lots of it, I would toss in egg white and paprika and dry bake. Only the princess could see the difference and only if she looked hard. I added more of the healthy version to the dish each time I made it until one day not a piece of chicken skin or oil bathed potato in sight. No complaints, the boys hadn't noticed the gradual change.
Once we have got the family eating together again then the next step is in making dinner a family event. By event I mean for example asking the children if they would like to shape the meatballs for dinner. Delegate chores on a rotational basis, setting the table, getting drinks, helping serve, clearing the table, and doing dishes. You will be amazed at the family conversation that takes place. Quality family time doesn't just mean eating together. Work in a few rules to keep the conversation going, turn off the television before any food is placed on the table. Ask each person in turn "what was the most interesting thing that happened in your life today" and don't take "nothing" for an answer. No getting up from the table until everyone has finished. And how about my favorite one, no one starts eating until everyone is seated. I can't tell you how proud I am of my 12, 9 and 4, yes, 4 year old for having these good manners and the impact it has on others when we dine out with family and friends.
One more thing, try and make one meal a week special. For my family it is Sunday. It's the day when we get out our "best plates" bring out the tablecloth and real napkins. In the oven a joint of meat roasts away and the aroma of it cooking will linger long after the children have fled the nest. But its memories will last enough to make those fledglings want to return to the warmth, comfort and tradition of Sunday dinner around the table with the family. Now that makes it all worthwhile. .
|
So what gives the milk the "good old days" taste? Low-temp pasteurization and not the usual grocery store high-temp pasteurized and ultra-pasteurized milk process. Using low temp pasteurization means only heating to the minimum required temperature, thus preserving as much of the good bacteria as possible. Bacteria that our bodies need to stay healthy. As well as preserving the original nutrients and flavor.
2/3 cup olive oil