Having a fussy eater can be a challenge, but I find creating fun shapes out of food with cookie cutters helps entice them to eat. Even simple things like shaping burgers into animals or stars make meal times more fun and often successful!
That's a great idea to get them involved young! I'm sure many parents will benefit from this tip as it also teaches children cooking skills and encourages family bonding.
Freezing leftovers in portion sizes is a great way to have variety in meals without having to cook every day. Having a dedicated (and child-friendly) recipe book for such occasions is a valuable resource!
That's a great idea to keep the little one entertained and occupied. Kids usually love helping out in the kitchen, and it's a good way to bond too!
Make several portions and freeze the leftovers immediately - it's a great feeling knowing there are reserves in the freezer for those unpredictable days, and the food doesn't go to waste!
I like to keep things varied, but some regulars are mini portions of stews and curries - they freeze well and are comforting goes-with-rice dishes. I also stock up on frozen fish fillets and vegetables that can be cooked straight from frozen. For some reason, my little one loves fish so having these on hand is a quick win!
The frozen meals in my stockpile vary quite a bit but generally I go for hearty stews and curries that can go along with rice or quinoa. They're typically easy to throw together and usually, the flavors develop well over time.
I keep the menu interesting by varying the freeze-able meals. But some family favourites which I usually have stashed in the freezer are chicken pot pies and mini meatloaves. They're easy to defrost and heat up, plus they taste great too!
I found that chicken nuggets and fish fingers are a huge hit with the kids and are easy to stock up in the freezer. They defrost and reheat quickly without losing their crispy texture, perfect for those last-minute meals! Some other favorites include portioned rice and pasta dishes, especially mac and cheese, which is a creamy comfort food that travels well.
Some kid-friendly freezer meals I prepare are mini chicken nuggets, which are great as they can be easily popped into the oven and paired with various side dishes. I also do well with frozen portions of meatball soups - just thaw, heat, and serve with some rice or noodles. Chicken salad is another one, which stays yummy even after freezing. And on those extra tired nights, ice cube trays come in handy for storing portioned bits of fruit purée or juice which can be later blended for a quick smoothie!
Having some pre-marinated meat in the freezer is a wonderful timesaver It adds some excitement to the meal and takes out the grunt work of slicing and dicing.
I agree that some curries taste even better after being left to cool and reheated the next day! I also freeze individual portions of chicken nuggets, which are a staple in my household because they pair well with many dishes or can stand alone as a quick meal. They defrost quickly too, which is perfect for those hectic days.
I find that curries and stews freeze well and taste even better after being frozen and reheated - as if they needed that extra time to meld those flavors together! My daughter enjoys a good chicken or mutton curry, so I often make a large batch with the intent of freezing some for later. It's also easier to prepare these dishes in larger quantities, given their versatile nature; they work well with rice, naan, roti, or even plain old toast!
I won't disagree that they are great options, especially when preparing in advance and throwing into the freezer. They are flavoursome dishes which hide vegetables too, so it's a win-win situation for all parties. But I usually change up my menu weekly because of my own preference and my son's changing cravings. We don't want to get bored of the meals, do we?
I find that making extra portions of comfort food like meatballs or chicken rendang is a good idea and a great excuse to indulge in my favorite comfort foods too. Some other freezable favorites among the kids in our family include mini marshmallow pizza, fish fingers, and frozen fruit packets as a healthy, crunchy snack option.
I find that meat balls, whether fish or meat, freeze well and are a convenient addition to a quick meal. They can be defrosted and cooked in no time. I usually serve them with a side of roasted veggies and rice or pasta. Chili con carne is also a regular freeze item and tastes even better the next day!
Chicken rice goes cold or heated up in a jiffy and is a big hit because it's easily deconstructible - rice, meat and soup or salad on the side. Or fish fingers, which are a nice change from chicken and are healthy too! I also bulk freeze pasta sauces, without the pasta, so that I can cook a fresh pot of pasta quickly to go with it when needed.
Life made easy with those prepared ingredients - no time wasted and no mess to clear! I also get the kids to help with the washing and preparation, which adds another pair of (small) hands!
Yes, the pre-chopped produce is a timesaver - though I have to admit, they do cost a pretty penny extra! But for the convenience and saved prep time, it's sometimes worth it.
those bagged salads and washed veggies certainly help cut down prep time! It's the little conveniences like these that make a big difference in our busy lives - definitely can't go wrong with them!
