We all dream of raising an epi­cure, a child who wants to try stinky cheese as soon as he's ready for solids. But unless your kid is among the six or seven on the planet who fall into this category, you'll need a strategy that's based in reality. This new column aims to teach your kids how to love the food you want them to love—in this case, lettuce—by offering three recipes, each of which builds on the last. They expose kids to new tastes and textures and span from a beginner-level "safe tweak" (Bibb lettuce becomes finger food) to an advanced-level "reach" (a lettuce soup that will explode all preconceptions, including yours, about what leafy greens have to look like). The goal is for children to eat the first, try the second, and someday, maybe, take a chance on the third. Mom and Dad, meanwhile, will enjoy them all. On every level.

The Safe Tweak

Lettuce Hand Rolls

Here, sturdy Bibb leaves from the center of the head do the work of traditional dumpling wrappers. If that's not an easy enough sell, the dipping sauce will be.

• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3/4 pound ground pork
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 8 to 10 Bibb lettuce leaves
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 1 cucumber, peeled and julienned
• Chopped peanuts (optional)

1. In a sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook the garlic in the oil until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the pork, five-spice powder, soy sauce, and brown sugar and cook until the pork is browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Scoop the pork mixture into the lettuce leaves. Garnish with the carrot, cucumber, and peanuts (if using).

Dipping Sauce

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons lime juice
• Add half a garlic clove, if desired.

Next Page: Egg & Watercress Sandwiches