Mum is it tea time? I’m hungry, what’s for dinner? These are the words that are uttered from all children’s mouths each evening and your heart sinks. What can you feed the kids tonight? You delve in the cupboard and find the trusty cook book as you can’t feed them shepherd pie & spag bol again!

I have searched many times for something healthy and quick to feed my children. Pasta always goes down well but can become a little repetitive. Getting enough vegetables in can also be an issue. So I’ve put together a few recipes that might help when you are short on time (and let’s face it, isn’t that all mums?!!)

I have found a fab easy recipe for sausage and potato casserole HERE that my kids wolf down , all cooked in the one dish so minimal washing up for me too!

One of my favourite ways to encourage little fingers to cook is to make pizza. You can buy a pizza base or make a simple bread dough – this recipe works well, cover it with either pizza sauce, tomato ketchup or barbeque sauce then get the kids to sprinkle on the cheese and other toppings. I like to chop up a selection of peppers, mushrooms, small slices of ham, olives, sweetcorn and ham and let them select what they want to put on. Make a funny face or just a geometric pattern it’s all good and very fresh. Just 10 – 30 minutes in the oven, depending on your base, then see the little darlings clear their plates!!

 

Fish have fingers!! Fish is a good way to get essential oils into the whole family. Make your own fish fingers (see recipe below) and home baked chips. You can serve with frozen vegetables or, if you have enough time, make your own simple version of mushy peas (my kids prefer this version as it uses frozen garden peas rather than traditional marrowfat peas). This recipe can even be frozen so you can make in batches to pull out when you are really pushed for time:

• 100g white fish (boneless)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 225g breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil

Pasta dishes always go down well with children. A pasta bake (this one is delicious) can always be spiced up with some added vegetables or by adding a crunchy topping made from crushed ready salted crisps.

What is your family favourite recipe? Or where do you look to for a quick dinner that the whole family will enjoy? (I must admit I’m a big fan of Tana Ramsay’s cookbooks for meals that are delicious but quick). I’d love to hear some of your quick and easy meals….I’m always looking for new inspiration!