Meal Ideas for Fussy Eaters as seen on Shop Smart Save Money

Recently on Shop Smart Save Money, we were asked to plan meal ideas for fussy eaters. We really do understand what it is like when in the family, no two family members like the same thing or want to eat the same food. We are sharing some of these ideas with you here too.

See below for some of the recipes, photos of the food, and also of the family when we met them in the studio.

We found when we encountered this problem that it was best to cook meals where different items of food were prepared together so that family members can take from it what they like.

The colours, flavours, and textures in this dish are sure to please every member of the family. This is a classic twist on the Quiche but with a crispy, crunchy base. Not a soggy bottom in sight! Choose what you want to add or take away as it is so versatile. Spicy, plain, mild, cheesy or lame, you decide.

 

Fish and Chips with a twist

Talk about convenience and quick service? Save this fakeaway idea for when everyone fancies a takeaway. Make your own and surprise them. Top up on your white protein with haddock pieces and golden and healthy sweet potato wedges. Don’t forget to give them the full treatment with the side of mushy peas and a sprinkling of Britain’s favourite tangy liquid, vinegar.

 

Paprika Chicken Thigh Roast

Sunday or not, you know that craving for the winning roast dinner. Well, it’s not too hard, is it? Choose the pieces your family likes and bring them all together in one roast. Bung it in the centre of the table and let the feast begin. Each to his/her own (pick what you want, leave what you don’t want for others.)

Crispy Frittata Tray Bake

Ingredients

1 pack filo pastry

1 pack Asda classic mash (or make your own)

3 eggs

1 tablespoon butter, melted *

1 pack Najma Turkey Rashers. (or cooked sausages or other meat)

1 can sweet corn (326g)

200g cherry/plum or other tomatoes

Salt and pepper

1 tsp oil

(you can substitute some of the vegetables etc for what your family members like.)

 

 

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

Cut the rashers into strips and fry until crispy and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix 3 eggs and combine with the mashed potato, salt, and pepper. Then mix in the turkey rashers.

Drain sweet corn and set aside.

Slice tomatoes and set aside.

In an oven proof dish, place one filo pastry sheet in the base and up the side and brush lightly with melted butter. Continue to layer and butter until all the sheets are in.

Place mash mixture evenly on top of filo layer. Top with sliced tomatoes and sweet corn.

This is an easily adapted recipe as sections can be topped with whatever vegetable the family likes. For example cooked green beans, asparagus or mushrooms according to the likes and dislikes of family members.

Place in the oven and cook for 25 – 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and then Serve

Note that this meal idea for fussy eaters can be done and baked as individual portions in foil or other oven-proof containers. This makes it easier to make each person’s dish contain only what they want to have. The portions can then be cooled and frozen or refrigerated for later.

 

Fish and Chips with a twist

 

Ingredients

5 Battered frozen fish steaks (use fish fingers if what some like)

1 pack sweet potato wedges (or a mixture of sweet and savoury, depending on what your family prefer)

2 cans mushy peas

 

Method

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius

Place fish steaks onto the tray.

Place potato wedges on a separate tray so that there is a single layer.

Place both in the oven for 30 minutes. Turn the steaks over halfway through and the wedges similarly.

About 3 minutes before both are done in the oven, place the mushy peas and a knob of butter, salt, and pepper in a microwavable dish for 2 minutes. Remove and stir then return to the microwave for a further 1 minute.

At the end of cooking time, remove wedges and fish. Sprinkle with vinegar for those who desire this. Serve

This is perfect and so convenient for when you haven’t got enough time to make a fish dinner from scratch too.

 

 

 

 

Paprika Chicken Thigh Roast

Ingredients

5 – 7 Chicken Thighs

1kg baby potatoes

250g carrots

250g parsnips

1 red onion

3 -4 cloves of garlic

3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Oil, salt, pepper, paprika

8 heaped tsp gravy granule

560 ml boiling water

8 Yorkshire puddings

 

Method

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

For the roast, start by parboiling potatoes, carrots and parsnip halves (about 10 minutes)

Season chicken with salt pepper and paprika and brown on both sides.

Place in roasting pan.

Drain boiled vegetables. Add to roasting pan.

Cut onion into 4 wedges.

Open 3 of the wedges and place in pan.

Peel garlic cloves and add. Drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper. Cover and roast for 25 minutes. Remove foil and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Place Yorkshire puddings on a tray and cook for 8 minutes.

To make gravy, caramelize the ¼ of an onion and 1 garlic clove in oil. Add a teaspoon of sugar and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar.  Make the gravy with mix and hot water. Add to the balsamic sauce and strain.

Serve. Here everyone can pick and choose what they want from the roast. Add other ingredients according to your family’s likes

Ingredients and Shopping List for the above meal ideas for fussy eaters

Meat/Fish/Poultry	Fruits/Vegetables	Other Ingredients
1 pack turkey rashers 3 packs Battered fish steaks 5 – 7 Chicken thighs	1 pack cherry/plum tomatoes 1 kg baby potatoes 250g carrots 250g parsnips 1 red onion 1 garlic	200g filo pastry Classic mashed potato 1 tablespoon butter 3 eggs 1 can sweet corn Salt pepper Sweet potato wedges 2 cans mushy peas Balsamic Vinegar 1 pack Yorkshire pudding Gravy Granule Paprika Olive oil

 

Here are the other meal ideas for fussy eaters as we a sharing meal planning ideas weekly with Katy Kicker (check out her blog for awesome meal ideas)

 

• Wrap party (provide tortilla wraps, cooked meat, and salad/vegetables so everyone creates their own wrap)
• Pizza party (provide pizza bases, sauces, and toppings so everyone can make their own)
• Salad in a jar With this one, it can be a fun activity with the kids and the array of vegetables. Everyone puts what they love in their jar. Add pasta or rice or quinoa.

 

Do let us know your go-to meal. What do you suggest as meal ideas for families with fussy eaters? Whatever you do, don’t make a big fuss. Food should be fun and had in a relaxed atmosphere.

We can’t wait to share the holiday recipes and photos next week.

 

Jo, Leisa, Kelly as savvy shoppers.