toddler friendly vegetable soup

Many toddlers go through a common stage when they first learn to eat solid food. They seem to want to try everything, even vegetables. Mom starts thinking, "Wow, I've got the best eater in the world! Won't ever have to worry about him ..."

But then, one day you serve the broccoli, and it ends up on the floor.

"My son used to eat whatever vegetables I gave him. I remember seeing him absolutely stuff his face with broccoli," says ctflute. "But as he's approached 3 years old, I see him eating less and less of any veggies besides fries and mashes potatoes!"

She's created a vegetable-packed soup that her 5 year old calls Mommy's Magic Soup.  Her toddler adores it; he'll eat three bowls in a row. Want to know how to make it? Of course you do ...

Mommy's Magic Vegetable Soup

Prep time: 10 mins.

Cook time: 35-40 mins.

You'll need:

64 oz. low-sodium, fat free chicken, beef or vegetable broth or stock

1 lb. carrots

6 - 8 ribs of celery including leaves

2 sweet potatoes

1 leek

1 yellow onion

1 small head cabbage

1 cup fresh or frozen spinach

3 tomatoes

salt and pepper to taste

pinch of thyme (optional)

Small noodles (pastina, ditalini, or broken-up angel hair)

Make it:

1. In a large stock pot, heat the broth or stock to boiling. In the meantime, wash, peel (if applicable) and roughly chop all your vegetables.

2. Add all vegetables and salt, pepper and thyme to taste. Bring back to a boil and lower heat to a simmer for about 30 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.

3. Here's the part that makes it "Magic": While my son is watching, I use my immersion (stick) blender and tell him it's my Veggie Vacuum. I let him watch as I puree the soup to a smooth, velvety texture. But he thinks I am vacuuming up the veggies and just leaving their taste behind. Because he thinks the veggies have all been removed, he is more than happy to eat the soup!

4. This recipe is for a large pot of soup. Ladle into a smaller saucepan how much you will need for your family for one serving each and bring to a boil. Add noodles of your choice and simmer until tender.

 

Check back next Thursday for another great recipe. Got a favorite toddler friendly meal or snack of your own to share with other idea-strapped mamas? Let me know about it and I may feature it here.

Past Toddler Meals:

Healthy Brown Rice Crispy Treats

Simple Tuna Casserole

4 Smoothies for Picky Eaters

Chicken Georgia

Mini ham and cheese calzones

Penne with Spinach Sauce

Soft Wraps Idea

Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes

Breakfast Pizza

Peanut Noodles and Broccoli

Savory Cheddar Bread

Whatever's-in-the-Fridge Smoothies

Israeli Couscous Salad

Oscar's Gross Green Popsicles

Turkey Burgers with Sneaky Veggies

Red Noodles from the Hillbilly Housewife

Confetti Potatoes

Mini Meatloaves

Alex Guarnaschelli's Homemade Granola

Happy Face Baked Pancakes

Yogurt Fruit Salad

Fruit Salsa With Cinnamon Crisps

Sweet-and-Sour Chicken

Italian Goulash

Parmesan Risotto

Chicken Sausages

Barbecue Cups

Healthy Ketchup

Cinnamon Raisin Roll-Ups

Hot Dogs with Mashed Potatoes

Leftover Baby Food Idea