Being a grandmother gives me immense joy that words can hardly capture. One of the greatest joys is cooking healthy food for my three grandchildren whenever I get the chance. Feeding all three at once is rare, since two of them live in another country, but those moments are precious. Still, I have the opportunity and the pleasure to prepare dishes for my three-year-old granddaughter, who loves food.
They enjoy all my dishes, but the ones they seem to like most are those made with tomato sauce which I cook from scratch—rice, pasta, and potato gnocchi, served with either meat, chicken, or fish. Luckily, they love fish too.
When I cook for them, I prefer using game meat because it has no fat and is much healthier. The challenge, of course, is that the game has a strong smell and taste. To soften both, I prepare the tomato sauce with plenty of fresh herbs—tarragon, basil, and parsley—and then add the juice of a whole orange or mandarin, along with a touch of Ceylon cinnamon. This combination lifts the sauce beautifully, balancing the richness of the game and giving it a fresh, fragrant flavour.
Presentation is equally part of their excitement over this dish, as much as the flavours themselves. The way I serve the meal enhances the experience—and it’s also a clever trick if your kids have specific food dislikes. Make it look appealing, and they may end up eating what they usually wouldn’t touch.
The photo speaks for itself.
