Turning your fussy little eater into a happy little eater!

A week’s worth of meals

Meals for the whole family
I very rarely cook meals specifically for my children, not to be smug (!), but because I don’t want to be a short-order chef! I choose meals where there are components which everyone can enjoy. This immediately takes the pressure off the little ones to try everything on their plate as this is not the goal here. The goal is about creating happy mealtimes where children feel they can try new food at their own pace, which then creates healthier associations with mealtimes.

Type of meals
Some of these meals seem so basic I am slightly embarrassed to post them (!), but I think most people want just some sort of direction when they go to the supermarket rather than coming home with lots of food but nothing specific to actually make! (or is it just me?!) Or even wanting to cook a simple dish such as pasta sauce, but not knowing which recipe actually tastes good as there is no time for trial and error! It is now lockdown 3.0 in the UK with schools closed so I am planning on having our mail meal in the day then doing a lighter tea in the evening. You will see I have made suggestions for both lunch and dinner each day on the recipes.

Cooking in manageable stages
I often do my cooking in stages and prepare part of the recipe the day before/earlier in the day so it’s less work, for example, shredding the lettuce and grating the cheese for the Caesar salad or rolling and preraring the meatballs ready for frying later in the day. Hopefully there’ll be some leftover chicken on Monday to double as a sandwich in the week or some soup for another quick meal. I stick my meal plan on the fridge door and actually write in when exactly I am doing any meal prep so it can be a quick 10 minute thing in the kitchen, then the next day is much more manageable and less busy in my head!

How to serve to the kids
There is also advice at the bottom of each recipe on how to get your kids to eat the dish too! Advice that really works I might add.

Pea Risotto with Herby Salmon

Pea Risotto with Herby Salmon

I hadn’t made risotto till my twins were born and this recipe by River Cottage Baby & Toddler Book makes it so easy.

Week 3, Veggie, FishGrace WillisFebruary 6, 2021

Toad In The Hole

Toad In The Hole

A sure-fire crowd pleaser

MeatGrace WillisFebruary 6, 2021

Friday: Takeaway Time!

Friday: Takeaway Time!

Once a week, we either order a takeaway or use Cook homemade

Week 3Grace WillisFebruary 6, 2021

Monday: Turkey Curry

Monday: Turkey Curry

If you have any leftover frozen turkey from Christmas, this is a wonderful dish. I’ll be using roast

Week 2Grace WillisJanuary 31, 2021

Pizza & Shaker Salad!

Pizza & Shaker Salad!

The shaker salad is a fun way to make salad more interactive for the whole family

Week 2, VeggieGrace WillisJanuary 31, 2021

Fish cakes

Fish cakes

I’ve never made fishcakes before and these were seriously delicious! The Mary Berry recipe

Week 2, FishGrace WillisJanuary 31, 2021

Sausage Pasta

Sausage Pasta

Many kids (my son included) can be funny with sauce and it being mixed in

Week 2, MeatGrace WillisJanuary 31, 2021

Friday: Cook! Frozen Meal

Friday: Cook! Frozen Meal

Once a week, we either order a takeaway or use Cook homemade

Week 2Grace WillisJanuary 28, 2021

Meatballs

Meatballs

This is such a simple recipe but so tasty. What I love is

Week 1, MeatGrace WillisJanuary 10, 2021

Beef tacos

Beef tacos

I cooked this for the first time over Christmas and it was a welcome change to have a completely different meal!

Week 1, MeatGrace WillisJanuary 10, 2021

Friday: A Night Off!

Friday: A Night Off!

It is important to have a night off from cooking so you don’t lose motivation during the week to cook!

Week 1Grace WillisJanuary 10, 2021

Chicken & Chorizo Paella

Chicken & Chorizo Paella

Get the kids interacting with squeezing over the lemon, making it clear (if they protest!)

MeatGrace WillisJune 14, 2020

Best Cheese On Toast

Best Cheese On Toast

I’m not sure if your child is having hot dinners at school or nursery now, but even if not

VeggieGrace WillisApril 13, 2020

Chicken Skewers With Cous Cous Salad

Chicken Skewers With Cous Cous Salad

Who doesn’t love food on a stick?!

MeatGrace WillisNovember 4, 2019

Fish Wrapped In Streaky Bacon

Fish Wrapped In Streaky Bacon

Making fish a bit more interesting

FishGrace WillisNovember 4, 2019