Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Dinner?

Breakfast is my favorite meal but I usually prefer to have it for dinner. A tuna sandwich is my idea of a perfect lunch but I mostly have it for breakfast. And a big, loaded burger-- I'd rather "graze" on it cold throughout the day.

That's why Godson scratches his head when I ask what he wants to eat for lunch.

On Monday we had grilled tuna and swiss with pickles, olives and roasted tomatoes on whole wheat for breakfast. He's cool with that, and since getting food into him is usually the most difficult part of our day together, I'm happy to have him eat-- anything that's not candy.

So today, when the question of lunch was presented he thought long and hard before he asked for mussels in garlic sauce from his favorite Chinese restaurant. Yes, the kid who eats like bird, has no problem with more "exotic" fare. In fact, he actually prefers it.

Godson's Mom is a gourmet cook-- And I means a seriously good gourmet cook. She made his baby food from scratch and as he grew into table food he started with homegrown vegetable casseroles and fresh baked breads. By the time he started kindergarten the teachers wanted to swap his wild mushroom risotto, fresh pesto rigatoni, or miso-glazed sea bass for their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Godson was having none of that. He stuck with his own lunch but would occasionally share the tiny yellow grape tomatoes he'd pick from their garden on his way to school.

Over the years he's fine-tuned his food preferences but even though he loves food, he eats it in small quantities-- until he doesn't-- and then you'd think he had a wooden leg because he's packing so much away.

We're getting ready to fly to Ohio in about a week and amongst the things we're packing are his favorite recipes so he can cook for my niece - Queen M and her Groom when we visit the Little Miss, who at five weeks old weighed in at the doc's today at a whopping 7 pounds 5 ounces! (She was born 4 pounds 11 ounces so this is great progress.)

Godson's will make the happy couple, who happen to be two of his favorite people, his famous meatloaf, Greek salad, roasted brussel sprouts and for dessert an oven baked s'mores concoction that is to die for.

But for lunch today-- Garlic Mussels! Even I won't eat those, so I know when he orders them it will give the waiter pause. He'll look over at me for approval before he writes the order on his note pad. Then once the mussels are delivered, the waiter will keep an eye out to see if he eats them.

It's happened before, I'm sure. A kid orders something other than sweet and sour chicken-- and it's usually expensive. When the food is delivered the kid turns his nose up at it and the food battle between parent and kid unravels. But in our case, my money's on the kid and the waiters are always shocked and pointing him out to the rest of the staff.

Whatever works for him works for me.

What's your favorite meal?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
Photo Credit: © robynmac - Fotolia.com

48 comments:

  1. nice. we eat breakfast for dinner about once a week. chinese is great too, one of my favs...if i had my choice of lunch (being summer) it would be tomatoe sandwiches...meatloaf is a big comfort food for me, but usually in the fall or winter...T makes a mean General Tsaos from scratch...i am getting pretty hungry so think i will head home for dinner now jj. smiles.

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  2. We often eat breakfast for dinner. And I've been known to eat any kind of leftovers for breakfast, from cold pizza to chicken soup. My husband cringes, however, when I eat things other than "traditional" breakfast foods.

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  3. I love breakfast for dinner and at times prefer a sandwich or burger for breakfast. Chinese food is always ordered @ least one time per month.

    However, I have a palate like your godson's and just wrote today's entry about my go-to tuna tartare recipe which I now serve with a warm goat cheese salad.

    If the food is out of this world then you really don't need a lot to satisfy your hunger.

    I love many foods, but am still on the search for that one perfect bite.

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  4. Ye cannae beat a guid Scottish fry-up! Bacon, sausage, fried egg, black pudding, slice of haggis...braw!!

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  5. that is an interesting list of foods you eat!
    My favorite, anytime of the day is the Chili that I make with peas and tons of grated cheese on top. Yum!

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  6. don't like tuna anything - BUT mussels in garlic sauce would have me joining in. I had the best mussels in New Hampshire once.

    I love that story of the kindergarten teachers wanting his food - great.

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  7. Godson has a discerning palate and that is a good thing!! He will make a great chef one day!! If not already one!
    My fav meal is lobster...I would have that for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I could!!
    Ha!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  8. What a specific palate! I'm all about breakfast. Eggs. Yum.

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  9. kids....you just got to love them !
    but garlic mussels....yikes, none for me either !

    favorite meal ?
    wow, lately it's been the chicken flatbread at pf changs or the white pizza with caramelized onions and mushrooms at a little cafe a few towns over......

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  10. Well, I love breakfast, lunch and dinner and have no problem mixing the traditional fare of one with another. I am particularly fond of chocolate cake of chocolate chip cookies for breadfast.

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  11. If chocolate is a meal, than that is my vote,..No?,... Okay what about coffee??,.. really still No,.. well then a mean grilled juicy Steak,.. so read meat,.. Yumm,.. now I am hungry!

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  12. What a kid! Not only does he eat it, but he can cook it? I'm impressed!

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  13. I don't eat breakfast typically, but I do love breakfast foods.

    And I really like meatloaf and tuna sandwiches, but I would never order them ina restaurant. Those both seem like they could be suspect.

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  14. Sounds....um.....yummy!
    Yeah, that's it - yummy!

    I like breakfast, too!

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  15. wow a year has gone by already, I'm sure I remember last year's trip! And breakfast for dinner? That's interesting. Well wishiing you and Godson great time in OHIO!

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  16. no mussels for me, but I'll take sushi!

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  17. I still love breakfast for dinner, but I can't do lunch for breakfast. Breakfast has to be breakfast. Mussels? Not a chance.

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  18. I love breakfast for dinner, my favorite meal is baked salmon with rice and asparagus....yum....Hugs

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  19. cool

    and my kids eat kind of gourmet, or fresh , I guess.
    I remember years ago at one of our first out of town soccer tournaments and the team was all going for pizza on a long lunch break, and my daughter , who was 12 at the time, asked to go for mussels.

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  20. I'm impressed. My kid won't eat anything more exotic than sloppy joes and freaks out if I add onions and peppers to it. Sigh. And he just started to cook for himself today. He microwaved a couple of mini burgers. Hey, I'll take it.

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  21. Good for Godson! A whole culinary world is at his feet - well, within reach of his taste buds, that is.

    I like breakfast and lunch - usually eat well, with only a snack in the evening.

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  22. Oh I love a full English breakfast - English (or, at a pinch, Danish) bacon, creamy, buttery 'scramblies', hash browns, Cumberland or Lincolnshire sausage and a grilled tomato (just to say you've eaten at least *one* of your 5-a-day)! This is, of course, eaten whilst away on holiday so that someone else does all the washing up - then it somehow tastes even better. :D

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  23. I'm very lucky, my kids eat whatever I put in front of them, regardless (smile). I always cook breakfast on school days, but I leave them to graze for theirselves at the weekend, we always eat dinner together - and Sunday roast is compulsary, absolutely no one is allowed to skip it, it's family time to catch up with each other.

    Your Godson's mum has done a terrific job with him, she obviously knows food is about far more than eating, it's also about experimenting, sharing, preparing and socialising together.. your menus sound gorgeous, no wonder he loves staying with you!

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  24. I'm like you, breakfast for dinner is a favorite of mine. Waffles and bacon!!!!

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  25. I could eat breakfast any time of the day. I LOVE a BIG farmer's omelette with Texas toast. Or I like to make it Mexican style too...now I'm hungry and it is breakfast time here!

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  26. We eat breakfast for dinner. My Parents don't do it all the time. I have eaten Cereal for dinner a couple of times!

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  27. Godson knows what he likes and knowing how to cook is an advantage for him I am sure. I am going to forever picture him with golden eyelids and white teeth painted on his face! Would you ask him for his meat loaf recipe? I am getting excited for you both to travel to see the new baby. Hugs to you, Joanna, it sounds like you are feeling strong and well and preparing for the trip.

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  28. We're having breakfast for dinner tonight. My kids love it. They wouldn't eat garlic mussels unless someone gave them large quantities of money and/or Pokemon cards.

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  29. I sometimes eat breakfast for dinner too, but it´s usually Frosted Flakes with milk... :)
    What is your godson going to be when he grow up? He should seriously think about becoming a chef!

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  30. Maybe he will share recipe for the baked s'mores????..... what a fabulous palate for a young person! I too love breakfast for dinner or, for that matter, any time. There is a wonderful little restaurant in downtown Anchorage near our office called Snow City that makes THE BEST omelettes.... we often will order takeout for lunch and pig out in our conference room.

    Have a lovely visit to Ohio and give that darling little one a dainty hug from me. xoxoxo

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  31. So cool that he is developing discriminating taste buds so early in life!!

    Your post made me very, very hungry!

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  32. Mussels... BLECH!!
    We often eat "breakfast for dinner", and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that eats tuna for breakfast. ;)

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  33. He's right to hold out for the good stuff, and by that I mean simple-good ingredients. Smart kid.
    Nice pic, btw. When do we eat?

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  34. Greetings Joanna,

    Thanks for stopping by my Necessary Room and for joining in building the bridge of love.

    You can also have dinner for breakfast, as we often do in the Caribbean ;)

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  35. I am with you. The eggs, tomatoes and toast look delish. I am a breakfast person anytime.

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  36. I'm the only one who loves breakfast for dinner. I always had it growing up, and loved it. But no one here will participate with me. I still do it, anyway.

    And I LOVE friend tomatoes with sunny side up eggs. Just love it.

    Thank you for your encouraging comment today. So many wonderful people...it has changed my world.

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  37. Uuuuh Not sure where my comment went, lol. incase it didn't go through, I ended it with my fav meal - stuffed peppers and little dumplings!

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  38. Godson is definitely off to a fabulous start as a chef or a foodie....who serves the best of the best to his guests!

    My favorite meals are Thanksgiving dinner or blueberry pancakes.....

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  39. Left to my own devises (that is to say, when I am not working), I like to eat my big meal for the day around 11 a.m., then I'll have a sandwich or eggs or something in the evening. So, I'm right with ya, Joanne.

    Btw, the garlic mussels sound wonderful, may I have some? If it comes out of the water, I probably love it.

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  40. I love breakfast for dinner but surprisingly, I do not make it that often. I had to laugh at your comments regarding how your Godson's Mom made his baby food from scratch and his homemade school lunches because it sounded like you were describing me and my sons! My sons' teachers and even some of their classmates always wanted to swap lunches with them. Sometimes I would add extra so they had enough to share because they would not swap either. We also had the same experiences when dining out.

    It sounds like your Godson is developing discriminating taste buds which is a good thing and hopefully away from the junk food many kids seem to favor. Given a choice between fast food or a fresh from scratch home cooked meal, my boys will choose the latter.

    ~ Tracy

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  41. My favorite meal is bacon and eggs for dinner, and I thought I was the only one who did that. Who knew!!!

    Those tomatoes look so good, I'm going to add them next time. Yum!

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  42. wow..it looks like delicious!!!
    greetings from spain

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  43. That child is a gem. Good thing he eats like a bird. I suspect he'll have a lot of good food in his future.

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  44. I have had Cap,n crunch for breakfast for the last 3 days, and sometimes I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I don't eat fancy meals at all.

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  45. LOVE this post, Joanna! It really brings back memories too! Being of Russian descent, my grandmother made some pretty unusual fare for us growing up. My siblings would run in horror, but I pulled up a chair and dug in. Pickled herring and sardines? Yum! Knuckle bones in the soup pot? Delish... especially when the cartilage gets all soft and silky. Fried eggs and brains? Not in a zillion years, but most everything else I ate with gusto.

    I totally relate to your eating tuna for breakfast and breakfast for dinner. It's all about appetite anyway, not rules. Personally... I love Chinese leftovers for breakfast, but I don't eat much of that anymore unless I make it from scratch. But in my opinion, leftovers of any sort are just begging to be breakfast. The best food rules are NO rules, don't you think?

    Have a marvelous time in Ohio. I know your vacay is going to be such a fabulous celebration. And the new baby.... what's better than that?

    Love you my dear friend. Love you much!

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  46. I love adventurous eaters..who are under 10! My grandkids love sushi..especially salmon roe. They love clams too..and garlic mussels!! Your godson sounds like a blast to be with.

    That photo of the eggs, toast and tomatoes looks scrumptious.

    I have many favorite meals depending on my mood. Not feeling well? A big bowl of pho. Feeling the need for comfort..always meatballs and spaghetti. Feeling energetic? Brik a'Leouf.

    Have fun in Ohio!!

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  47. How lucky Godson is to have a mother and Godmother who allow him to be adventurous. I love it and I love even mroe the fact he can cook at such a young age. Boy is he going to have a great future. I on th eother hand like the plainest food, no sauces of any kind. My daughter on the other hand has exotic food tastes. She didnt get it from me or her father. Rather, from a young age she worked in restaurants as a waitress while going through university. I am glad for her sake she did!

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  48. I love having breakfast for dinner. Eggs/bacon/toast or just a nice bowl of oatmeal with fresh peaches and almonds.

    Sorry, I didn't bring any chocolate. Next time. :D

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