How to train picky eaters. A must read from a cook.
By marguicha
@marguicha (230350)
Chile
November 27, 2015 6:45am CST
A comment to @topffer about food we don´t usually would eat made me think about the way I´ve taught my grandchildren to taste (and many times like) a new dish.
He said there that he didn´t like tongue. I cook a mean one on a sauce made with ground nuts and nutmeg. I invited him to my home to taste it.
And I would, of course, have another dish nearby, as I do with my grandchildren, if it is not palatable at all for him.
The children have learned to accept that a couple of small spoons of anything will not kill them. And more often than not, they slowly widen the range of the food they love.
I don´t even blush anymore when people eat at my house food that they don´t eat at theirs because "I´m a wonderful cook". I think that they are picky and many times they manipulate others with that. I won´t accept that. So, mylotter friend, start saving for a trip to Chile. I will lodge and feed you here.
9 people like this
11 responses
@topffer (42155)
• France
27 Nov 15
I am not a picky eater
. I would enjoy to meet you if I go to Chile, but I would less enjoy to eat a tongue
. I have eaten tongue several times here (it was common in school canteens at my time), and I have never appreciated it. Maybe yours is a lot better with its nut sauce, but I am not ready to cross an ocean and a continent just to taste a tongue
.
. I would enjoy to meet you if I go to Chile, but I would less enjoy to eat a tongue. I have eaten tongue several times here (it was common in school canteens at my time), and I have never appreciated it. Maybe yours is a lot better with its nut sauce, but I am not ready to cross an ocean and a continent just to taste a tongue.5 people like this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
27 Nov 15
@topffer Have you tried our Carmenere? The vines came from France of course, then France lost it and some got mixed with the Cabernet Sauvignon. It was only a few decades ago that it was "rediscovered". I think they also have it in France again. Correct me if I´m wrong.
2 people like this
@topffer (42155)
• France
27 Nov 15
@marguicha Yup, Carménère was a common grape variety in the Bordeaux area before the phylloxera. They have started to plant it again since about 20 years from the vine found in Chile, but this variety is still not common today despite of a new fashion for old grape varieties. The taste is the same than Cabernet Franc but the grapes are more large, I think it will continue to be planted in the Bordeaux area.
2 people like this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
27 Nov 15
I ate a few things when I was a child. Looking back, I think that I manipulated my mom with that
3 people like this
@ElicBxn (64172)
• United States
27 Nov 15
I've been told I'm a picky eater, and I am, but I'm not being picky about not eating corn, I am FEARFUL! You eat something that can make you sick, you would be fearful too! I've never had an opportunity to eat tongue, and I'm told its tough, but I suspect that if it didn't LOOK like a tongue, I'd eat it.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (64172)
• United States
27 Nov 15
@marguicha I'm always washing my hands too, but we were teaching my guy friend, J, how to cook and that boy went through an entire roll of paper towels!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
27 Nov 15
@ElicBxn When my husband was ill (for a long time) we bought a dishwasher. Dishes are dried there and it is better. I have hand towels in the kitchen and change them at least once a day.
2 people like this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
27 Nov 15
I would cut it in slices, cover it with sauce and add white rice on the side. I always say that I must be a sort of a freak: I´m always washing my hands. I am VERY clean.
2 people like this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Nov 15
I had to laugh about the tongue. I don't think I've ever had it - but I do remember looking at the packaged tongues in the meat section when I was a kid. I always "enjoyed" poking at the taste buds with my fingers . My dad taught us to eat what was in front of us - that in a time like war you don't have choices and you get what you get. You don't like it, then don't eat. The tactic doesn't exactly work for my kids all the time, but I do tell them to try it at least before they make any judgments!
. My dad taught us to eat what was in front of us - that in a time like war you don't have choices and you get what you get. You don't like it, then don't eat. The tactic doesn't exactly work for my kids all the time, but I do tell them to try it at least before they make any judgments!2 people like this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
28 Nov 15
When I cook tongue in nut sauce, the tongue comes sliced. But there are other ways where it is shown. It is very good, I can assure you. I was also taught to eat whatever was in my plate, but noone had to coax me to eat tongue. Still, we didn´t eat too much of it when we were children as it was too expensive. It was meat for company.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
28 Nov 15
@much2say It is tender, but it must not be overcooked. In fact, it has to be cooked for a long time or in a pressure cooker.
As for the taste, it is difficult to describe a taste. But it is soft in our taste buds yet it has a lot of flavour.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Nov 15
@marguicha How do you describe the taste and texture? I imagine it is tender but I cannot imagine how it would taste.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
28 Nov 15
I don´t think that it has to do with reasoning. It is more an emotional response.
1 person likes this
@lokisdad (4226)
• United States
28 Nov 15
@marguicha I have come across adults who won't touch a veggie because as a child nobody made them eat any because they didn't like them and I think to myself If we were vegetarians my kids would go hungry if they didn't eat veggies lol. Although we have been lucky they go through it and then get over it.
1 person likes this
@EugenesDDen (310)
• Ireland
28 Nov 15
It may or may not lead to poor health, but as long as they eat alternatives which provide them with sufficient carbohydrate, protein and fat, and essential vitamins and minerals, everything should be ok. People consume vastly too many calories though. As a child I was scorned because I ate so little. However I still had loads of energy. Now I still don't eat a lot but can do lots of work and exercise on only a "small tank". If I was a car, I would be praised for having low fuel consumption!
@EugenesDDen (310)
• Ireland
28 Nov 15
I was an extremely picky eater as a child (and still am). I even avoided going to friend's houses for fear of what would be dished up to me. I don't like sandwiches, or dinner dishes where the food is hidden inside under layers and can't be studied and picked at!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
28 Nov 15
If I have a friend with an eating problem as it seems you have, I would first talk with you what you would like to eat before inviting you. There are picky eaters and there are people with eating phobias.
1 person likes this
@EugenesDDen (310)
• Ireland
28 Nov 15
@marguicha One thing I will never like is fat on meat. If I come across some in a mouthful, even though I didn't actually notice it when putting it in my mouth, it will trigger the gag reflex.
@EugenesDDen (310)
• Ireland
28 Nov 15
If I can see the food, I wouldn't have a problem eating it, probably even spiders legs (if they're nice and crispy 
) . It's the hidden stuff I have a phobia of mostly.
) . It's the hidden stuff I have a phobia of mostly.1 person likes this
@zebra2222 (5268)
• United States
28 Nov 15
You take a good approach of feeding a picky eater.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
28 Nov 15
I have had to do it. I love my grandchildren and love to cook.
@celticeagle (189927)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Nov 15
I think that starting children young in eating all types of foods is important. My kids hated vegs but I made them eat some of whatever I served them. A little bit of anything is a good rule. Also works for adults because I trained my ex to eat some things he didn't care for to begin with and he likes them fine now.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189927)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Nov 15
@marguicha ...Best cook it is. Have to find some good ways to get it by them.
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
28 Nov 15
I wholly agree with you. I have done that with my grandchildren and I feel that they have given me a medal when they say that grandma´s cooking is the best
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
28 Nov 15
It seems to me that one of the good things about globalization is that many dishes from other lands have become part of our cuisine. I had never heard of the word "sushi" when I was young, yet now even babies have tasted it.
@epiffanie (11327)
• Australia
28 Nov 15
Oh! I can already imagine tasting your yummy food .. I don't think I've ever tasted Chilean cuisine
.. I don't think I've ever tasted Chilean cuisine1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
28 Nov 15
Our cuisine is not as sophisticated as many of the world´s cuisines. But we chilean are learning from the rest of the world and using new ingredients to make something new.
@EugenesDDen (310)
• Ireland
28 Nov 15
Would anyone here have a problem eating insects, like they do in Asia?
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
28 Nov 15
I confess that although I´m willing to try many things, there are some buggs that are no-no for me.
1 person likes this
