Friends, I can’t believe what I’m about to tell you. Yesterday Addison knowingly consumed spinach without gagging, choking or pitching a fit. I’m not exactly sure how this happened and I’m still wondering if I dreamed it but the fact remains that I saw him eat spinach. Oh my gosh, I’m still reeling.
I think that this revelation may have something to do with me explaining the benefits of veggies in his diet and that he needs more than just fruit and carrots. He was griping that I fix veggies every night (what a horrible mom) and why couldn’t we just eat nuggets and pasta and stuff like that. I wish. Anyway, I mentioned that spinach has iron in it and that you need iron in your blood. His mind started working and I the idea of being made out of metal was pretty awesome. The prospect of spinach turning him into a robot made out of iron may or may not have contributed to our dinner time success.
1/2 package cooked italian style meatballs
1 shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can chicken broth
1 can water
8 oz. orzo pasta
1 italian zucchini squash, chopped
1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
3-4 cups fresh spinach
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
salt & pepper to taste
dried herb mix to taste
olive oil
Boil chicken broth and water. Add orzo and cook until al dente.
Heat olive oil in a skillet, add shallot, garlic and meatballs. Saute until shallot is translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add diced tomatoes, salt and pepper and combine. Add zucchini, parsley and sprinkle with dried herb mix. Add about 1/4 cup of liquid from orzo and combine until liquid is simmering.
Drain orzo, reserving liquid. Add a tablespoon of butter to orzo to keep it from sticking together.
Add spinach to the top of the meatball mixture, pour reserved liquid on top and cover. Simmer, covered, for about 5 minutes then add the orzo and stir it all together.
Iron man here we come.
THE ANCIENT LIBRARIAN
Yummy – I’m hungry!
Hugs, Kisses and Snot
Me too!
Sonia. Barton
That looks good I’ll have to try it.
Hugs, Kisses and Snot
I hope you do! It was one of those nights where I looked in the pantry and pulled out what looked remotely interesting and it happened to work out really well.
Chris Carter
You lost me at “fix veggies every night”… seriously. Lost. Me. (lol)
Hugs, Kisses and Snot
Ahahahaha! I fix veggies knowing full well that my kids will not consume even the smallest amount. My hope is that my kiddos will receive some sort of healthy benefit just by smelling them or being within a few feet of them.
coachdaddyblogger
Even at 8:19 a.m., this looks delicious. Getting kids to eat veggies (potato chips don’t count, I tell them) is the great struggle of Parenthood, I believe, right after getting them to not burp in the middle of Taco Bell.
Or is that just my kids?
Hugs, Kisses and Snot
I haven’t had to deal with burping in Taco Bell but there’s a first time for everything.
Sabine of Suburbia
That looks delicious! And yes, I will totally be trying the “iron robot” angle the next time I make spinach.
Hugs, Kisses and Snot
Thanks! Baby steps. Iron Robot today, Captain Kale tomorrow.