What should I feed the kids? Try Lauren’s time-saving tips
A TREAT FOR THEM, A BREAK FOR YOU
Batch-cooked meals you can cook from the freezer and lighter snacks are the way forward ‘Mum, I’m hungry. What can I have?’ This is one of the many questions my son asks me 100 times a day (more so now I’m working from home). And it never fails to leave me scratching my head. Indeed, what can I give you that I feel good about, and you’ll eat without complaining? Throw lack of time into the mix and it can feel like an impossible equation. I’m all about making life as easy as possible, and that means a few ingredients, cooked simply. Cue the miracle 3-ingredient recipes! From mini egg muffins to
chilli bean and squash pot pies, you’ll find plenty of them at tesco.com/recipes. I make these easy healthy fishcakes (opposite) in batches – my son might even help if I can drag him away from the screen for long enough – then put them in the freezer, ready to cook at a moment’s notice. Serve with whatever quick and easy veg you can get them to eat – things like broccoli, carrot sticks or cucumber batons can be a success. Or bulk it out with a runny poached egg for dinner.
DIY DESSERT Great for occupying older children: set them up with bowls of plain popcorn and (healthy-ish) ingredients for them to add as they please. Try ground cinnamon (instead of sugar), mixed berries and melted dark chocolate for drizzling.
TURN TO TOAST When you’ve got to rustle up something quick from whatever’s in the cupboards, try something new with toast.
Kids’ breakfast Load up with sliced banana, peanut butter and any fresh berries you have. Quick lunch Spread over houmous, top with avocado and tomatoes. The posh one Top wilted kale or spinach with smoked salmon and a poached egg. Search ‘toast toppers’ at tesco.com/recipes for more ideas.
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FOR A SNACK ATTACK When it’s ‘ages’ till the next mealtime, a Banana Bonanza Cereal Bars 6-pack, 89p (15p each), is the ideal ‘when’s tea?’ silencer.
INSTEAD OF CRISPS… Try these Tomato & Pesto Quinoa & Poppy Seed Bites 6 x 25g, £1 (67p/100g), which are a source of fibre and low in saturated fat. For a more substantial snack, mix pesto with low-fat soft cheese and let them get dunking.
