"No, Thank You" Bite

We don't really have a "no, thank you" bite policy in our house, mainly because I wouldn't want to have to take a bite of food I'm pretty sure I won't like (like, in my pre-veg days, seafood. So convenient to be a vegetarian!). Sure, my palate is a little more developed and experienced, probably because I have taken bites of lots of foods I like and don't like so I have a better idea of what I might like and might not like than they might. But I don't want to force the kiddos to try what they think they won't like. Then dinner becomes a battleground--how do you actually force a kid to eat something?

Which makes it hard because sometimes they're just being difficult about food. Beyond Sis's no-sauce policy and Bud's complete disavowal of all things meat (except, oddly, ground meat), they just don't usually like to try things. Unless they do, which is how it comes to pass that Sis likes fish balls, barbecue pork buns, mangoes, cantaloupe, and sausage and Bud likes olives, mushrooms, onions, all fruit except melons, fish balls, barbecue pork buns, fried fish, and waterchestnuts--obviously they've tried new foods and liked them. Sometimes. AGGGGHHHHH. Take last night's dinner as a quirky episode in our meal history: my umpteenth batch of "crunchy" chicken, i.e. homemade chicken tenders. I've baked and pan-fried chicken breasts cut into strips in a variety of coating combinations. And the kids have never really eaten them, though they'll eat them in a restaurant (well, Bud used to but won't anymore; they are Sis's default meal). But I tried again last night. Successfully.

Was the success because I added a bit of cornmeal to the last flour dip? Or because I didn't use egg in the milk wash? And there was mainly salt in the flour, not seasoned salt? Or because I used canola instead of olive oil? Pan-fried it instead of baking? Or because the kids had fun helping to dip the chicken in flour-milk-flour? Or because we hadn't had snack and they were hungry? Or because I had a "no, thank you" bite?

But it worked. Sis ate 4 or 5 crunchy chicken pieces--the whole pieces, not just the crunchy bits. Bud started with his usual refusals. And I insisted that he have a bite with me (I can be a lapsed vegetarian once in awhile if my kids will try new things). Which he did, imperceptibly. I said he had to take a bite I could see. And he did. Then he started to pull off the crunchy bits to eat the chicken plain, which in itself was a change. But then he actually just decided to eat the whole thing. 4 or 5 whole crunchy chicken strips. Two breasts between them! Plus half a plate of steamed veggies (broccoli, carrots, waterchestnuts, and peas). AND sauteed mushrooms and onions for Bud!

So, of course, I'm memorizing the recipe (see below) and adding it to my weekly repertoire. And I might be adding that "no, thank you bite" too--to theirs and to mine!

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Mommy Hungry's Crunchy Chicken Strips

2 or more chicken breasts, cut up as desired (I use strips)

2 cups flour, divided

1-2 tablespoons cornmeal

1-2 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup milk

1-2 tablespoons canola oil

In three separate platters/bowls, set up dipping sequence: 1 cup plain white flour in first bowl; milk in second; and 1 cup flour, cornmeal, and salt in third bowl.

Begin to heat canola oil in stainless steel skillet at medium to medium-high heat. Meanwhile, dredge chicken pieces in flour, dip in milk, and dredge in final salted flour/cornmeal mixture.

Begin pan frying chicken in skillet, in batches if necessary. Remove when crispy and golden on both sides. Blot on paper towel. Serve hot.

Mommy Hungry