How To Move Your Toddler Noodle Game Beyond Mac n Cheese
We are reasonably confident you would prefer not to eat mac n cheese, buttered noodles, jarred tomato sauce noodles, et al. again this week (or day). We also figure you’ve tried other approaches–maybe you’ve tried to place noodles under curry or stew, or maybe you’ve even tried to stick things they otherwise like elsewhere (say, meatballs, cheese) on top of noodles? Even the obvious is tough. One day, they’ll get it; right now, though, not so much.
Been there, developed this: a hybrid of Dan Dan and Cold Sesame noodles that keeps all the creaminess and big flavors of the originals but removes the spicy and loud parts. Stripped down and rebuilt, the ingredient list looks like it could come out of a breakfast recipe: peanut butter, cinnamon, maple syrup. Rich, sweet, and seasoning-forward, it’s quite dynamic for a toddler dish and will push your kid’s palate (in a good way); with a little sriracha or chili crisp in yours, you’ll know by it a different name: a good dinner.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep, Cook, and Assemble
- Cook your noodles. Drain.
- While noodles cook, add the soy, sesame, rice vinegar, peanut butter, tahini, and a splash of maple syrup to a large bowl; blend. Add in a few shakes of garlic, followed by a shake or two each of of cinnamon and ginger; taste to test pungency, adding more spices as you see fit. If sauce is too fit, add a bit of chicken broth or pasta water to thin.
- Add noodles to the bowl and toss to coat. Add cilantro and chives and mix again.
Serve
Chop noodles into smaller pieces as needed to allow your child to pick up by hand. If your child likes pasta with a bit of texture, you can top with crushed peanuts or hardboiled egg pieces.
Adapt
Want to add meat? Easy: throw some ground pork or beef into a bowl, along with a splash or two of soy and worcestershire sauce; mix, then cook in a skillet or work until browned, 3-5 minutes, breaking into little nubbins once cooked a bit on each side.
User Reviews
Hubby and I liked this more than the kiddo–may try to sweeten it a bit next time I make it.