Making a Bird's Nest

Imagine being 3 years old, barely able to feed yourself with a spoon, much less with a fork.  You are confronted with some little tiny green beads that roll all over the plate, onto the table, then, to the floor.  Hey, I'm a grown up and sometimes find it difficult to get green peas onto a fork and into my mouth.  Parents, think again about the 3 year old faced with those little jade beads this defy capture on a fork.

Let's make this easy and fun for everyone.

1 package gravy mix (makes 1 cup) chicken or any flavor
1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas
   mashed potatoes, ½ cup per serving

Make a package of chicken or any flavor gravy mix, non-fat variety if you prefer.

Cook a package of frozen green peas.  Don't over cook or you will lose the delicate flavor.  (Petite peas would be fun for younger children.)  Add the peas to the gravy mix. Or, the gravy mix to the peas.  No matter.

Plop a "mound" each serving of mashed potatoes on a plate.   (Make packaged mashed potatoes if you like (we won't tell), or use leftovers.)  Make a well in the center of the mashed potatoes to resemble the shape of a bird's nest.  Fill with peas/gravy mixture.  Sprinkle with a little paprika for color.  Add a few leaves of parsley or other herb around the plate to represent the "leaves of a tree".

Make it fun.