u/Dkap322

That must be a record for words in a title. The recipe titles aren’t the only thing that’s a mouthful —the dishes themselves pack a fulfilling combo of flavors!

Both require a little patience, but pay off. Start your day of with either of these — or, hey, why not both?

Frittata gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013525-ricotta-and-spinach-frittata-with-mint?unlocked\_article\_code=1.ulA.8fwQ.QZi29zKzkEdj&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Strawberry-Basil Cottage Cheese gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026945-strawberry-basil-cottage-cheese-bowls?unlocked\_article\_code=1.ulA.qTND.FA-tJxZWxLdE&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

We love a salty cookie in this household and we’ve had a jar of tahini with a bit left at the bottom for a while. All forces pointed to giving this one a go to celebrate the first day of summer break!

The hardest part was waiting the 12 hours for the dough to chill. Otherwise, it was easy, breezy, beautiful.

If you’re craving a classic cookie with a little nuanced twist, halva go at this gem!

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018055-salted-tahini-chocolate-chip-cookies?unlocked\_article\_code=1.sVA.iACd.gVBVaU1yYrlS&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

With a little one in the house, it is extremely rare that we have a stockpile of blueberries. But since, she’s more into “na” (AKA banana) lately, we’re blueberry rich. I decided to seize this juicy opportunity and make the Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart and it was an absolute delight.

The bread is not the only thing that’s short — the prep and bake time is quite snappy! And the results are a scrumptious, sweet summer sensation. You know what to do if you’ve got some extra blue(berries)!

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020390-blueberry-cornmeal-shortbread-tart?unlocked_article_code=1.rVA.ABWi.A8fS3gp55kBo&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Failure. Shrimp. Two things we all confront at some point in our lives; many are averse to both. Well, this month forced us to embrace this duo that can leave a bad taste in your mouth as our daughter entered her seafood era and continued to hone in on her slightly-picky palate (shrimp is in, beans are out). Over the past few months, I have relished the opportunity to talk with so many of you about the trials and tribulations of feeding little ones. In our conversations, an interest in the failures has become apparent. And don’t worry, there are many! As the numbers get higher in these posts (they really do grow up so fast 🥲), it becomes more difficult to make it a greatest hits list. So, this month, enjoy some meals that were beloved — and one that was a total, unmitigated disaster.

Sweet Potato and Halloumi Tacos

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/777653357-halloumi-and-sweet-potato-tacos?unlocked_article_code=1.p1A.rZBJ.N11L4rtJ5y80&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 7! Though my wife has condemned halloumi as “too squeaky”, I figured it may be a hit because our daughter pines for fresh mozzarella. Turns out my wife is correct — the texture of the halloumi freaked her out a bit, but the sweet potato was a massive hit!

Tomato and Orzo Soup With Marinated Feta

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/771969606-tomato-and-orzo-soup-with-marinated-feta?unlocked_article_code=1.p1A.kXjz.7Y1stZ62nyjI&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 9! Just looking at this now makes me break to sweat, but this was our last pseudo-soup (AKA pseup) before summer officially started and she loved it! The pasta is a winner and the feta presented a delightful lil challenge to her taste buds! She devoured it.

Classic Sloppy Joes

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/4203-classic-sloppy-joes?unlocked_article_code=1.p1A.dE02.roe9-8kslWXq&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 8! Who doesn’t love slop? Although I was a bit overzealous (or should I say overzestous) with the orange, our daughter reminded me why this was a childhood favorite. It took some time, but she grazed on it!

Goulash

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024344-goulash?unlocked_article_code=1.p1A.IDJh._09WZb-nh-QM&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 7! Ground beef? Pasta? Tomato-based sauce? What’s not to love! Well, I’ll tell you what — the peppers. Our daughter picked them out with robotic precision because the texture of the skin offends her. Once she eliminated that nuisance, it was all systems go(ulash)!

Sheet-Pan Coconut Shrimp and Sweet Potatoes

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025038-sheet-pan-coconut-shrimp-and-sweet-potatoes?unlocked_article_code=1.p1A.ieFu.KQ2FGJ5Z13IJ&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 10! Our lil shrimp is very into shrimp right now, so I was eager to make this one. So eager, in fact, that I burned myself on the sheet pan, leaving what is likely a permanent scar! Thankfully, she adored the meal, so now the scar is a souvenir of an all-time great family dinner.

Lemony Orzo With Asparagus (and Without Garlic Bread Crumbs)

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021068-lemony-orzo-with-asparagus-and-garlic-bread-crumbs?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.2QlP.am7mqHaXquFT&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 8! Orzo, yes. Asparagus, maybe. Garlic bread crumbs, no. Average that out and it’s a kinda!

Spinach and Red Pepper Frittata

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013526-spinach-and-red-pepper-frittata?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA._OxN.nBv3KvZDa399&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 9! Seeing as this girl can shovel down three scrambies without blinking, we try to do eggs for dinner at least once a month. This time around, my goal was to get her to eat some peppers by masking them in eggs. And my evil plan worked eggscellently! She loved it.

(Not So) Spicy, Creamy Weeknight Bolognese

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026551-spicy-creamy-weeknight-bolognese?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.29hw.fRgShRZM9kBQ&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 9! This is one of the faves of the adults in the house, but we shyed away due to the spice factor. I finally decided to just scale back the red curry paste, and that made this a hot commodity! Plus, it’s well rounded with pasta, beef, and carrots.

Garlicky Chicken Thighs With Scallion and Lime

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018911-garlicky-chicken-thighs-with-scallion-and-lime?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.80uG.zrDjOaETHQ9R&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 9! We love shredded chicken over here. Mowed right through the scallions to get to it. Ate it essentially in one bite (which is a choking hazard, if you’re wondering).

Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026812-cauliflower-alfredo-pasta?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.M_KG.OPgmP5BoaOCC&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 9! Sneaky, sneaky veggies. Dupe your kid into eating (semi) healthy with this one!

Grilled Za’atar Chicken With Garlic Yogurt and Cilantro

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022300-grilled-zaatar-chicken-with-garlic-yogurt-and-cilantro?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.B5db.6KMtDAwQJT0x&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 10! When it comes to chicken, this girl is no…chicken. Grilling this made it super tender and the yogurt packed an intriguing punch. Shoveled it down!

Hoisin Garlic Noodles

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026260-hoisin-garlic-noodles?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.Nt9C.OPRmXEdFOrN0&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 9! I LOVED this one. She REALLY LIKED this one. Most of it ended up all over her though. Point deduction for messiness.

Saag Paneer

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021954-saag-paneer?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.DtGG.mvOqPO3-6Grz&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 6 at first, 9 later. In case you thought that everything was smooth sailing over here, I’ll take this opportunity to remind you that she’s still very much a toddler. Chicken MUST be shredded. And, apparently, paneer MUST be cut flat. After my wife had the epiphany to cut it a little more, she was all about it!

Honey Garlic Shrimp

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026055-honey-garlic-shrimp?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.xicA.VsR2gQ8S4yer&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 10! Let’s just say I have not been the most popular guy at work this month due to stinky leftovers . But the girl loves shrimp. The things we do for our kids!

Sheet-Pan Ravioli With Burst Tomatoes

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1027238-sheet-pan-ravioli-with-burst-tomatoes?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.Es3c.PMy7FjRkZ6ZR&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 8! She loved the taste, but struggled with the textures. We had to pivot to an “uncrustables” style for the ravioli after a few difficulties and the tomatoes remained untouched, but she was very into the ravioli after the adjustments!

TOTAL FAILURE: Chilled Cucumber Soup With Avocado Toast

Gift link: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014924-chilled-cucumber-soup-with-avocado-toast?unlocked_article_code=1.qFA.vbCV.Ev8AMP5A4vMn&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Baby Rating: 1! I know, I know. Soup was a real choice. This is here to bring you back to reality in case you thought I actually know what I’m doing. This was a total disaster from start to finish. She didn’t touch the soup, refused to be spoon fed, and eventually just started pouring it all over everything. If you’re looking for organic finger paint, this actually may be for you! This meal made me rethink my existence, zero stars (although the recipe itself is actually pretty great, but for adults).

Failure can leave a sour taste in your mouth — sometimes it tastes vaguely like cucumber and buttermilk. Social media perpetuates many myths and stigmas about parenthood, the most prominent one being that you’re doing it wrong and that mistakes are unforgivable. These posts are meant to be a layman’s food journey with his lil angel — including the failures, of which there are many. Moving forward, we will make this a more candid snapshot of the ups and downs of feeding a toddler. After all, without the failures, the successes don’t taste quite as sweet (or, if you ask my daughter, fishy).