Looking is part of learning a food
They may watch it, poke it, or ask what it is. Those are steps, even when nothing is eaten.
Name it once
Name it once. Then let the meal continue. A quiz about the food wears everyone out.
“This is spinach” is the whole lesson. The rice is still there for eating.
Let the look be enough
A long look is information. They are deciding if it is wet, green, or surprising. You do not have to cash the look in as a bite.
Eat some yourself if it fits their diet, so the food is not only a specimen on their plate.
Tomorrow’s look
The same food can be looked at again. Familiarity is built by return, not by a single brave moment.
Keep the portion small so you are willing to bring it back.
A sentence you can say
“This is spinach.”