The lead picture was edited by Canva.
Cooking for the family is always a mix of challenge and joy. As a parent, one of the struggle is to make sure my son eats vegetables my girls even the youngest Doris eating veggies. Only Boris struggles with veggies. Like most kids, he goes for rice and meat and refuses them, no matter how I hide.” Today I tried something new—chicken soup with pumpkin and long beans. I expected him to just eat the chicken, but to my surprise, he didn’t.” The cooking was simple.
I started with garlic and onion, sautéed until smell good, then added some tomato for a tangy flavor. I put in the chicken pieces, cut into small bite-size para easier for him. After that, I poured water to make the broth. Then I added the veggies—pumpkin first, it takes longer to soften, and later the long beans will be crunchy. The soup turned golden with the pumpkin, while the green beans and chicken floated nicely on top. When it was ready, I served the soup with rice. My son sat down and looked at it, like not in the mood. I expected him to pick the chicken only, like usual.
But after the first spoonful, he like it and the expression change. He took another spoon, then another, until he finished not only the chicken but also the pumpkin and the beans! He even said, “This soup is yummy!” OMG, I almost couldn’t believe it. That moment made me so happy, and my husband said” make more often pumpkin soup please. Kids eat veggies easier when they’re cooked to blend in—like in soups, where flavors mix and nothing feels separate. And my son enjoyed it without complaints. Now this recipe will keep this for the family, simple, tasty and kid-friendly. Seeing my son enjoy his veggies makes it all worth it. For us, this soup is more than just food.” It’s a little victory, a happy memory, and proof that cooking with love truly matters.”
