Cheesy Baked Potato with Cherry Tomatoes

Ah, children—aren't they the most unpredictable eaters? My son, for example, can eat something with great pleasure today, and then, just a week later, declare that he *hates* it and refuse to touch it again. Yesterday, he happily finished his broccoli, but today, he might say he won't eat broccoli at all. It's like their taste buds have a mind of their own!

Because of this, I've learned that sometimes you just have to go the extra mile to please them—otherwise, they'll be left hungry. One afternoon, my son came home from school and asked, “What's for dinner?” That day, our fridge was bursting with all sorts of goodies, but nothing seemed to appeal to him. He looked at the food and said, “I want mashed potatoes with cheese.” I asked, “You want mashed potatoes with cheese?” and he replied, “No, I want potatoes with cheese.”

That gave me an idea: I decided to make baked potatoes, then add cheese on top to make it more exciting and less boring. To make it even more flavorful, I threw in some cherry tomatoes directly on the potatoes—stems and all—because, surprisingly, the stems come off easily, and the small cherry tomatoes don’t roll away.

The result was a delicious, vibrant dish of cheesy baked potatoes, and my son was not only happy but also full and satisfied. It’s little moments like these that remind me how simple ingredients, combined with a bit of creativity, can create something truly special.

Cooking for children may be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding—one smile, one satisfied tummy, and you're reminded why you love to cook for those you care about most.