If you’ve ever dreaded the simple question ‘what’s for dinner?’, I’m here to help.

My name is Greg O’Dea and I’m my family’s home cook, which involves catering for three teenage girls with varying tastes and my wife, Georgina, who has some specific dietary requirements. 

As someone who loves sharing food, I know all too well that family meal failures can cut deep. When you put your heart and soul into every meal, the ‘family feedback’ can sometimes leave you feeling flat.

But, I’ve learnt that you don’t have to be a Masterchef to make family meals that nurture health and please teenage palates. My solution? Build from the basics, use good, fresh produce and keep a roster of simple recipes on hand that work for your family’s tastes and dietary needs. The formula for success that I use is to serve a moderate portion of something very tasty alongside an interesting salad or veggie dish with a pile of fresh raw sliced basic vegetables on the side.

I created Try This it Works because I wanted to share the knowledge and experience that I’ve acquired over the years rattling the pans for my family. This site is packed with simple, successful recipes that will deliver happiness and health to your teenagers.

Try This It Works is a recipe resource for teens, university students and their parents. I have a soft spot for teenagers whose lives involve so much inner and outer change and increasing demands, all of which takes place in a complex world. I have spent many hours tuning into what my teens and their friends enjoy eating and now have a solid collection of recipes that work for them. Try This It Works is my attempt to share this with you. If one more teen feels more nurtured and happy at meal time, then I’ve done my job!  

These recipes are simple and instructions easy to follow, to ensure you have one less decision to worry about in your busy day. They’re meals that I’ve invented from scratch or borrowed and tweaked. And because I like to cook with as many whole foods as possible, they’re heavily plant-focused. Best of all, you can rest assured that they all work and they’re all approved by teenagers.

Try This it Works serves up delicious recipes that are doable. I hope they nurture your family, lessen your load and deliver the pleasure that good food has brought to my family to yours.