3 Salmon Dishes for the Picky Eater Toddlers

Wild Alaskan salmon is a clean and lean protein filled with essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Interestingly, wild Alaskan salmon contains more protein and nutrients than farm-raised organic salmon. So, why not introduce salmon protein to your toddler today? Even if your toddler is a picky eater the following three recipes are sure to delight.

1.Sweet potato salmon cakes 

Adding the abundant nutrients and fiber of sweet potato with the great protein in salmon will yield a well-balanced, tasty meal for your fussy little eater.

Ingredients:

• Sweet potatoes - 2 peeled and cubed
• Onion - 1 small finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Salmon - 4-6 oz
• Butter - 2 Tbsp
• Fresh coriander - handful chopped
• Egg - 1 
• Plain flour - 1 cup
• Bread crumbs - 1 cup
• Coconut oil - 1 Tbsp
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven at 180 C or 350 F for 15 minutes 
2. Finely chop the onion, garlic, and coriander, then set aside.
3. Line a baking tray with baking paper—drizzle a little oil on the paper, spreading it evenly with your fingers, so it covers the whole surface. 
4. Place the salmon skin down on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 mins until pink. 
5. Peel and cube the potatoes. Boil them in water or a pressure cooker. Once cooked, add the butter and mash. 
6. Gently loosen the salmon meat from the skin with a fork and mix with the mashed potatoes.
7. Add the onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and salt and pepper to the potato-salmon mix.
8. Mold the mixture into patties. (Whatever you don’t use can be frozen for later)
9. Prepare three bowls. Put the flour in one. Beat the egg and place it in the second bowl. Then put the breadcrumbs in the third bowl. 
10. Heat a frying pan with oil or ghee on medium. 
11. Take the patty and gently cover it in flour first, Then drop it in the egg and coat with bread crumbs.
12.  Place the salmon cakes in the frying pan and cook on medium heat for approximately 5 mins on each side till golden brown.

You can serve the salmon cake on its own or with chutney.

2. Salmon nuggets

Ingredients:

• Egg - 2
• Lime or lemon - half
• Salmon - 4-6 oz
• Bread crumbs - 1 ½ cups
• Flour - 1 cup
• Onion - 1 small finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves finely chopped
• Coriander - hand full finely chopped
• Oil or ghee - enough to pan-fry onions and garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven at 180 C or 350 F for 15 minutes. 
2. Finely chop the onion, garlic, and coriander, then set aside.
3. Line a baking tray with baking paper—drizzle a little oil on the paper, spreading it evenly with your fingers, so it covers the whole surface. 
4. Place the salmon skin down on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 mins until pink.
5. Heat a frying pan with oil on medium. 
6. Saute the onion until it’s translucent. Add the garlic and coriander to the pan and squeeze the lime or lemon onto the mixture.
7. When the salmon is cooked, separate it from the skin with a fork and place it in a bowl. Then add the saute onion, garlic, and coriander.
8. Add one egg and ½ cup of breadcrumbs to the bowl and mix all the ingredients.
9. Shape the mixture into nuggets, then carefully cover it in flour first, Then drop it in the egg and coat with bread crumbs.
10. Place the nuggets on a baking sheet lined with baking paper (prepared as above) and bake for 10-15mins.

Nuggets are easy to prepare and the perfect texture for toddlers to eat, even if they have no teeth.

3. Salmon cauliflower macaroni cheese

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower - 1
• Plain Flour - 2 Tbsp
• Butter - 1 oz
• Milk - 1 ¾ cups
• Macaroni - 1 cup
• Cheese - 4 oz grated
• Salmon - 2 x 4-6 oz fillets
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Wash and break the cauliflower into small pieces, then steam and mash, then put aside.
2. Line a baking tray with baking paper—drizzle a little oil on the paper, spreading it evenly with your fingers, so it covers the whole surface. 
3. Place the salmon skin down on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 mins until pink.
4. Once the salmon is cooked, gently separate it from the skin with a fork and set it aside.
5. Boil the macaroni in water for 8-10 mins or follow the directions on the packet when cooked, strain, and set aside.
6. Melt the butter in a saucepan, slowly adding the flour stirring continuously to a paste.
7. Slowly add milk to the paste. Continue to stir until it’s smooth and creamy.
8. Remove from the heat and stir in the grated cheese and mashed cauliflower. You may add any seasonings now.
9. Add the macaroni and salmon into the sauce, mixing thoroughly. Place the mixture into an oven dish. Generously sprinkle grated cheese on top and brown under the grill.

Helpful things to consider

Please note that you can freeze all of the recipes listed above. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the safe internal temp of salmon is 145°F or 62.8°C. Arguably, many chefs prefer 120°F or 50°C. The convenience of a fresh seafood delivery service is always an option for the busy stressed-out mom. Besides, the abundant health benefits of this miraculous redfish with its antioxidants, rich Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals make it an essential part of anyone’s diet. So, regularly including fresh seafood in your toddler’s diet can improve their wellbeing, cognitive abilities, and overall development.