Polenta Fries with Sriracha Mayo

If you speak to parents about feeding kids you know it’s only a matter of time before the P word comes up. Old picky pants. And we have a lot to say about it. In fact, next Tuesday at 2pm, we’ll be doing a Facebook Live all about it. Join us! Ask us your questions before had so we can answer them. Something that often comes up alongside a discussion around pickiness is the challenge of trying to encourage kids to be more adventurous at meal time. We know what it’s like to feel like the foods your kid will happily eat is shrinking. Making a meal from those five foods can be like trying to parallel park in too tight a spot.

I know you’re looking at these golden, crispy polenta fries and wondering how they can possibly be part of this conversation. No one would resist trying and then devouring polenta fries. And that’s the point! When you’re thinking of introducing new recipes or ingredients, don’t make them all hard sells. Okay, I want my kids to dig into a kale salad as much as the next guy but if for every kale salad was a plate of polenta fries as the new thing? Your kids are going to feel like trying new things is worth giving a shot. And be sure to praise them for it even if it wasn’t a hard sell.

These are really easy to make. I sometimes avoid polenta, thinking it’s a bit tricky. But whenever I do, I’m reminded it’s not tricky at all. Just keep stirring. Add flavour – butter, Parmesan, salt, pepper, lemon – and you’re good. It’s nice to be able to give your usual go-to’s a break – pasta, rice, mashed potatoes – and even nicer when everyone is happy about it.

Let us know if you try these and how quickly they disappear of plates.

photo by Ashley van der Laan