We’ve heard the vegetables have taken over the pasta in Italy. The kids will need to search for the vegetables, pick them out, and then defeat them in the only way possible. Your mission is to help the kids find them and eat them to defeat them and then let out your victory cry…
Feel my power!
Tea-time adventures make meals fun, turning eating into a game. It’s not just about the recipe—it’s about getting kids excited to eat their food. Pasta Power Play is a fun story that goes with any pasta dish. We have suggested a lasagne below, but it will work just as well with a pasta bake or spag bol, or any pasta dish of your choice with plenty of veg added. The key is using chunky vegetables. Avoid hiding or finely chopping the veg—presenting it in larger pieces gives your child control, allowing them to decide when or if they want to eat it. This sense of control encourages them to give it a try.
Join the “Eat Them to Defeat Them” challenge and watch the video together. Get the kids pumped up with the rally cry, “Feel my power!” as you prep the meal. Keep it fun and light-hearted—ask the kids if they want to help Chef Andrew to “defeat” the veggies without pressure, maybe throwing in fun phrases like “you’re going down veggies” or “let’s defeat them!”.
After the meal, praise, praise, praise – celebrate every win, big or small, like a sniff, a lick or a nibble, and try to steer away from talking about health or nutrition. Praise their efforts with a “Well done, we defeated the veggies!” and add a sticker to their Eat Them To Defeat Them wall chart (you can download one here). Ask if they’d like to try another challenge, and keep the veggie fun going!
Serves: 4
Prep time: 25 mins
Cook time: 1.5 hours
Ingredients:
100g courgettes, sliced thinly lengthwise (or use a veg peeler to make long strips)
100g carrots, sliced thinly lengthwise (or use a veg peeler to make long strips)
200g butternut squash, sliced thinly lengthwise (or use a veg peeler to make long strips)
1 tbsp oil
1 red onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
200g beef mince or veggie alternative
1 400g tin chopped tomatoes
2 tsp mixed herbs
1 veg stock cube (optional)
1 tbsp tomato puree
12 lasagne sheets (dried is fine)
50g mozzarella and cheddar, grated (or plant-based alternative)
Veg Portions / Serving: 3
We’ve heard the vegetables have taken over the pasta in Italy.
You need to search for the vegetables, pick them out, and then defeat them in the only way possible.
Your mission is to find them and eat them to defeat them and then let out your victory cry…
FEEL MY POWER!
Find out more about Eat Them To Defeat Them at eatthemtodefeatthem.com
Method:
Here’s our recommended recipe, or you can simply adapt your own recipe – just keep the veg chunky and serve with a reminder to the children to Eat Them to Defeat Them and say “Feel my power!”
Preheat your oven to gas 6/390ºF/200ºC. Lightly oil a baking sheet and lay out the sliced carrot and squash in a single layer if possible. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until they start to soften but still hold their shape.
Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a saucepan and add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 mins until softened. Add the beef mince and continue to cook until it starts to colour, about 5-10 mins. If using veggie alternative, add to the pan at the next stage. Stir in the tomato puree and cook another minute.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, mixed herbs, and veg stock cube if using (and veggie alternative, if using) and cook, stirring regularly for 10-15 mins. Set aside.
Ladle one third of the meat sauce into a casserole dish, place one layer of lasagne sheets followed by the squash on top. Spoon over another layer of the sauce and repeat with the lasagne and courgette, followed by the final third of the sauce, last few lasagne sheets and carrots. Top with mozzarella or cheddar and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.
Have the kids help you measure and weigh ingredients, older kids can help you use the veg peeler on the 3 veg. Have them help with layering ingredients in the dish and stir things together (show them how to safely stir over the heat and keep a close eye on them). For more tips on cooking with kids check out Kids in the Kitchen.
