Author Topic: Tried and tested toddler and family meals  (Read 7178 times)

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Offline HenaV

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #15 on: September 09, 2013, 21:17:15 pm »
We have very similar didshes to the ones that have already been posted:

cottage pie
bolognase
lasagna
pasta with Neapolitana sauce
In fact anything with pasta!
fish pie
chicken pie
casseroles with mash / new pots and veggies
home made dippers (though R's not super keen)
white fish in cheese sauce and mash (only really R;s favourite!)
Roast dinner



Ive not tried her with things like curries, tagines, chilli etc I think because DH and I like it quite spicy and i worry it'll be too hot for her. Though she had some noodles from my plate on holiday and loved them so perhaps time to be a little more adventurous with her?

Offline Shdef

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #16 on: September 09, 2013, 21:29:19 pm »
We did simple meals at fussy times. Saved money and effort, lol.

Spaghetti with fried Frankfurter Sausages. (any veggies you want processed into the sauce)

Baked potatoes with cucumber salad (shredded cucumber with dill and a bit of salt and oil) and sour cream.

Sausages, veggies and mash.

Shepherds Pie.

Homemade pizza.

Meatballs of all kinds (beef, chicken, pork) with pasta or potatoes, veggies and cream sauce.

Offline cath~

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #17 on: September 10, 2013, 12:46:26 pm »
Ive not tried her with things like curries, tagines, chilli etc I think because DH and I like it quite spicy and i worry it'll be too hot for her. Though she had some noodles from my plate on holiday and loved them so perhaps time to be a little more adventurous with her?

I'd give it a go - L has always surprised DH and I with how spicy/strongly flavoured she likes things.  Even some things we find quite hot/strong/sour she wolfs down.
DD1 - 8 years old
DD2 - 5 years old

Offline HenaV

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #18 on: September 10, 2013, 15:42:43 pm »
Thanks Catherine, will definately give it a go  :)

Offline Buntybear

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #19 on: September 10, 2013, 18:15:24 pm »
Curry tonight was 4 chicken breasts, 1 onion, 1 tablespoon curry paste, 1 tin toms, 1 tin coconut milk. Yum and dead easy.

Offline Eva's Mummy

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #20 on: September 10, 2013, 18:22:34 pm »
I really fancy trying that, i have never made a curry before. I assume i just cook the chicken then pop all the other ingredients in and cook in a pot for a while?

Sorry i sound really stupid   ::)


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Offline Buntybear

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #21 on: September 10, 2013, 18:27:23 pm »
I cooked the onion in a bit of oil for 5 mins, then add the chopped chicken, cooked for another 5 mins, add paste - 1 min, then the 2 tins and simmer. Would be cooked in about 10 mins but can be left for ages as long as you keep an eye it doesn't get too dry. I managed to do this whilst chatting on the phone so is easy  ;)

Offline Buntybear

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #22 on: September 10, 2013, 18:29:45 pm »
BTW I did add green beans in too for some veg. Can add all sorts really. Get the basic curry down first though and then experiment  :) I some times add mango chutney or even chopped apple or potato. I wondered today about adding lentils as DH and I had some dahl from the freezer too which Olly turned his nose up at! Would need to google how to do that though.

Offline Eva's Mummy

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #23 on: September 10, 2013, 18:37:11 pm »
Thank you very much, that will be dinner tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes x


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Offline Buntybear

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #24 on: September 10, 2013, 18:39:46 pm »
 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Offline clazzat

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #25 on: September 10, 2013, 18:56:01 pm »
Oh,  I'd forgotten about sausage mash and beans - I think that is the absolute favourite for all my children (and my dh, lol!). A variation on it is a sausage casserole - sausages, potatoes, carrots, baked beans and veg soup all in a big pot in the oven for 2 hours at 180.

Offline creations

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #26 on: September 11, 2013, 14:54:15 pm »
I wondered today about adding lentils as DH and I had some dahl from the freezer too which Olly turned his nose up at! Would need to google how to do that though.
I add canned lentils to curry (canned in water, no salt, no sugar, just makes life easier than using dried), just drain and rinse the lentils then add towards the end remembering they only need to warm through rather than cook...but they are ok if you leave them a bit longer too, it isn't that critical, well not for us.

With curry I use the paste to marinade the chicken for a while, just dollop and stir, even DS can do it.  It's cool to do it a bit in advance but we will also do it just for a few mins whilst we chop and cook an onion, then add the meat and the paste spices fry off which really releases flavour.  I add all sorts to curry depending on what we have in and what needs eating. A handful of sultanas or raisins is nice too, makes it all very sweet.  canned pinapple is good (the stuff in juice not syrup) or lychees is you like them.  Fresh aubergine and courgette, mange toute, green beans, spinach.  I tend not to put it all in at once.

I tend to have in two different pastes too, like a korma and a rogan josh for instance and that way things taste a bit different each time or I can make it hotter for DP and myself, or make two dishes (one being super easy like onion curry paste and canned lentils) so it feels like a special meal.  mango chutney and mint sauce are great with it, for mint sauce I just use Total greek yoghurt (fat and sugar free) and stir in a spoon of mint sauce from a jar, what a cheat I am, everyone says it's nice though. Packet of popadoms, a naan....ooh I'm hungry now wish we were having this tonight.


Offline Eva's Mummy

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #27 on: September 11, 2013, 16:35:10 pm »
Well she is back to deciding that she will not eat anything at all with even the smallest of lumps in it. I think she might be a terrible teether. She is driving me potty she literally has had 1 yoghurt today and that is it, but she keep ssmacking her lips together which she always does when she is hungry  :(


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Offline Buntybear

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #28 on: September 11, 2013, 18:43:22 pm »
Well she is back to deciding that she will not eat anything at all with even the smallest of lumps in it.

Curry freezes really well. I guess you didn't bother to make it after today then! When you do if she doesn't eat it don't be disheartened. Freeze in little portions and keep bringing it out so she gets used to it. x

I add canned lentils to curry

What a fab idea!

Offline Eva's Mummy

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Re: Tried and tested toddler and family meals
« Reply #29 on: September 11, 2013, 19:40:41 pm »
I did make it and we loved it  ;D. I have saved some for DD so think i will pop it in the freezer. Thanks x


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