5 Quick and Simple Recipes for Families to Eat Together

When it comes to meal preparation, almost a third (30%) of British parents say they have to serve their children different meals every day. The survey of 2,000 parents by Scandinavian parenting brand, Stokke, revealed that a massive 84% say they do this each week!  

But leading weaning and nutrition expert, Charlotte Stirling-Reed says it is NOT necessary:

“Families should be sharing the same family meals. After your little one has explored their first tastes of food – whether that be finger food/mashed food, they can start having adapted versions of adult foods straight away. It is so important to combine meals and allow your babies and young children to see you eating similar dishes.

This will help them to be involved in the mealtime, to learn what foods you eat as a family, and, usually, more readily accept them too. You may need to adapt textures, to ensure that baby can manage the foods with ease, and you will also need to leave off any added salt or sugar, especially for young babies, but other than that MOST family foods are suitable for young children. For example, lasagnes, curries (not too spicy), fish pie are all great options to have as a family, and baby can have a part of the meal or an adapted version of it – whatever works for their age and stage of eating.”  

Here are Charlotte Stirling-Reed’s top five simple and quick recipes:

Omelettes

Easy to pack in veggies. They can make a really balanced meal too if you add potatoes and a little grating of cheese too. They are also quick, for when you have a hangry baby or toddler on your arm and easy for everyone to eat. 

hot pots

Using up leftovers by chucking all your veggies into a pot with some flavours, some tinned tomatoes and some beans or meat. Again, can leave it in a slow cooker, making it a quick and easy way to feed the whole family. 

porridge

One of the best meals you can create. It takes 5 minutes, even if you’re making it in a huge pot for the whole family and it’s so easy to get creative with flavours and add ons. Try my Carrot Cake Porridge, or add some milled seeds, nut butters and plenty of berries to make it a win for everyone.

pitta pizzas

Another easy one, when you’ve come home and are too shattered to properly cook. You can get the kids involved in this one too and it’s easy to alter the topping depending what you have available in the house. Chopping the pittas into finger slices makes it easy for baby to grab and munch too, even if all the bits fall off the top! 

pesto pasta

You often can’t beat this one for ease AND taste. Add some extras such as slices of avocado (they go really well with it) or some broccoli fingers and you’re well away!