I am NOT a short order cook. That being said...here is my credo. Coming from a family where I made dinner for the family growing up, then making my sister something else because she didn't want what I made...then making the other sister something completely different, I decided I would not allow my own kids to pull that.
I make dinner, one dinner, period. I will not make something I know everyone dislikes, but I will not cater to everyone. I main a main course and usualy 2-5 sides. Everyone needs to take at least a small portion of EVERYTHING. Granted if they like corn, the kids get a big portion of that...but they still have a small spooful of peas to eat. If they eat everything on their plate, they can have a treat for dessert, and later snacks if they are hungry between meals. If they do not eat everything on their plate, fine...but no snacks or treats or ANYTHING to eat until the next meal...NO MATTER WHAT. Hungry or not, if you didn't clean your plate you don't get to snack until the next meal. I am fine with them refusing to eat any or all of it, but they get nothing until the next meal no matter what.
It takes a while and a battle or two, but I am so glad we have opted to be harcore on the topic of eating. My kids will try anything. If they don't like it they say "I am not a big fan of that."
We went to my friend's house two weeks ago, and were having lasagna. My friend's son said to mine as he was getting his plate filled, "I thought you didn't like lasagna...why are you taking some?" My son replied, "At my house it doesn't matter if you like it...you eat it or you go hungry...I love your mom's cooking." My friend said "See Nick, (her son) see how good you have it." My son then quipped, "Yeah, Nick, if you were at our house you would starve with your attitude."
My friend actually invites my son over to eat, just to get her kids to try stuff. My son raves about the food she makes, and her kids end up trying it to be cool.