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.
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.
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.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
