This is Roi with her two gorgeous babies Dimitris and Ismini. She is from Athens but has been living for many years now in Abu Dhabi. She is a Certified Pilates instructor but currently a stay-at home mum. I met her when we used to live in Abu Dhabi and has been one of my rocks whilst living there. Unfortunately, she only became a mum when we already left so hadn’t had the chance to meet her children but I’m sure one day that will happen too. I feel she is a life friend to me and she has been kind enough to share her family’s food story with me and now you.
Roi was very honest that whilst her little boy was younger they had a real struggle with food and that food has been her biggest stress since becoming a mum. She felt that she was starting to lose her mind but then was lucky enough to discover the book My Child Won’t Eat!: How to enjoy mealtimes without worry by Carlos Gonzalez. She realised by reading that book that us mums should stop comparing what our children eat to other children and that we should follow our mummy instincts instead of listening to family members and friends!
One of her boy’s favourite recipe is peas stew with lots of hidden vegetables in it! Arakas is a Greek recipe but very easy and palatable for everyone really. The best part is how easy and quick it is to prepare and cook.
For this recipe you will need:
500 gr frozen peas
4 tbsp olive oil
2 potatoes cut in 4
1 onion,chopped
1 carrot,grated
1 zucchini, grated
200 gr tomato passata
salt/pepper
some dried or fresh dill
Ingredients
- 500 gr frozen peas
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion,chopped
- 2 potatoes cut in 4
- 1 carrot,grated
- 1 zucchini, grated
- 200 gr tomato passata
- salt/pepper
- some dried or fresh dill
Instructions
Step 1
In a medium size pot add the olive oil and heat.
Step 2
Add the onion and saute for 2 minutes. Then add the grated carrot and zucchini and saute for 1 more minute.
Step 3
Pour in the tomato passata and add the potatoes. Stir and add the peas. Cover with water approximately 3 cups to just cover the peas and add the salt, pepper and dill. Simmer on a medium heat for 30-40 minutes for the sauce to thicken.
Notes
Serve with some feta cheese and some rustic sourdough bread! This food is very popular with children - even though it's healthy- because the peas give a sweetness to the dish which makes the dish very palatable for children. If you don't want to shred the vegetables, just chop them. This recipe has been adapted obviously for children.
2 comments
It can be so hard to get kids to eat vegetables. Especially if they’re by themselves on the plate. This is a great way to mix them all up and essentially “hide” them!
I agree Nick! Finely cutting or grating vegetables is the way to go with young children xx
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