Pastry ‘biscuit’
When families have fussy eaters, it’s important to look for new options, as part of picky eating is wanting to eat the same things over and over.
Only feeding the same foods, however, reinforces the problem.
As crunchy, dry, cracker/toast-type foods are often readily accepted, it is good to look for other foods that are similar.
I am also a big fan of home-made foods:
1. You can eliminate many of the additives/preservatives necessary in processed foods
2. It automatically introduces variation – which is good for fussy eaters!
3. You can manipulate cooking processes or ingredients to suit.
I started out with a more complex idea in mind, but then realised home-made pastry cooked in a certain way was just like a cross between a plain biscuit and a cracker.
What’s not to love for your standard fussy eater?!
These are simple to make and could be served plain, with favourite spreads or with savoury toppings like cheese.
They didn’t last long in my house.
Recipe – Pastry ‘biscuit’
1 cup flour (I used wholemeal)
75gms butter
1 egg yolk
2 dst spoons of sugar (more for sweeter taste) – I used coconut sugar
4-5 dst spoons cold water (adjust as needed)
Method
Heat oven to 180°
Rub flour and butter to form a crumb (I did in food processor)
Add sugar
Add egg yolk and then enough water to form a soft but not sticky dough
Refrigerate if you have time (1 hour). If not, it does work!
Roll onto floured board. Thinner is crispier.
Cut into required shapes
Place in the oven on a silicon sheet or parchment paper on a baking tray
Bake until browning (I slightly overcooked mine)
Eat as is or add favourite topping. Perfect for snacks or lunchbox.
Judith, MA Cantab (Cambridge University), MSc Psychology (first-class honours), is working on a PhD, is an AOTA accredited picky eating advisor and internationally certified nutritional therapist. She works with 100+ families every year resolving fussy eating and returning pleasure and joy to the meal table.
She is also mum to two boys and the author of Creating Confident Eaters and Winner Winner I Eat Dinner. Her dream is that every child can approach food from a place of safety and joy, not fear.
Learn more about Judith here: https://theconfidenteater.com/about/