Read MNers’ feedback on new Little Dish Classics - £300 voucher to be won for feedback! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

We’ve got together with Little Dish to find 250 Mumsnetters with at least one child aged 1-2 to try their new Little Dish Classics range, created especially for toddlers, and to share their feedback on MN. Each tester was sent 4 recipes which included Little Dish Baked Beans, Little Dish Spaghetti Hoops, Little Dish Macaroni Cheese and Little Dish Tomato Soup to try with their 1-2 year old.

Hillary, Little Dish’s founder, has said: “As a Mum, I know first-hand how important it is to give your toddlers the most nutritious food. I also know that some days I need a helping hand to get a speedy supper on the table without compromising on nutrition or taste. So I’m excited to introduce our new Little Dish Classics - a range of family favourites reinvented for toddlers’ nutritional needs.

Many top brand Baked Beans and Spaghetti Hoops contain added sugar or sweeteners and high levels of salt, so we recreated these recipes to be low in salt with no added sugar, sweeteners, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. We’ve also blended extra veg into them such as cauliflower, carrot and butternut squash, to help your little ones towards their 5 a day. As with all Little Dish recipes, these are approved by our nutritionist and have been given the thumbs up by our Tiny Tasters across the UK. You can keep Little Dish Classics in your kitchen cupboard and they are ready to eat in minutes.

We’re looking forward to hearing what you and your toddler think.”

If you’ve taken part in this test, Little Dish would like you to post on this thread, answering the questions below:

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
  
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
  

We’d also love to see some photos of your DC enjoying Little Dish Classics, so please share on the thread if you can!

Everyone who gives their feedback on this thread and completes the feedback survey will be entered into a prize draw, where one lucky MNer will win a £300 John Lewis Voucher.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw,

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[Givemecoffeeplease]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
  

Liked the packaging but felt a bit "over" packaged. Simple ingredients list which I loved. And thanks for the apron!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

Cheesy pasta, and I tried it too - yummy. Quite sloppy in texture so I added extra pasta and it then lasted two meals.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

Yes esp the beans as they are a no sugar version.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  

Yes especially as they are easy to travel with too for visiting grandparents etc.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
  

My kids don't eat soup so I used the soup as a base for a tomato sauce. Went down a treat.

[sharond101]

I thought the packaging was fabulous. Looked appealing and my kids were desperate to open them. Unfortunately we didn't like any of them. They were very saucy and sloppy and too rich for us for this reason I wouldn't buy them or recommend them to others.

[31weeksgone]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
  

Liked the packaging but felt a bit flimsy, I don't know if they'd get squat under all your supermarket shopping. Normally things like that come in a tin, but loved the look of it. Loved all healthy natural ingredients.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

The spaghetti hoops with some mashed potato! I did love all the recipes, but all very runny. Maybe it's just me but my toddler doesn't really eat soup they prefer story things they can stab with a fork and feed themselves.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

As above I definitely would with the beans as they are a no sugar version and healthier, I would probably buy the hoops again for the same reason too. Soup and cheese were a bit runny.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  

Yes would reccomend, if you're travelling and need to take food they'll eat or at a friend or grandparents house. or even when their own dad doesn't know what to cook

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
  

We had the spaghetti hoops with mashed potato, she enjoyed that.

Just wanted to say a thank you for the apron too, it's so cute.

[Miskate]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
  

Very good - lovely packaging, impressed by the free apron. Nice to see the labels showing everything that was contained, and the added veg.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

Spaghetti hoops - I only heated up half the pack but he wanted to eat the whole thing.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

Price dependent, I would buy the hoops/baked beans again.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  

i would recommend the hoops/beans as a healthy alternative to supermarket own brand/Heinz. I would not recommend the macaroni cheese - my son liked the look of it, but only had 2 mouthfuls.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

[jodiebeaumont1909]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? Healthy wholesome tasty meals
  
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? The macaroni cheese
  
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Yes as like the fact they have lots of hidden veg
  
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? I would recommend them but if you have a particularly hungry toddler (like I do) the meals need bulking out a lot with bread etc otherwise I found it too small for my daughter
  
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! Adding extra pasta or toast

[Lofari]

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
I was impressed with some but not all.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

Baked beans. He had them with toast.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

I'd buy the beans and spaghetti hoops again as my son loved them.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  

I would as they're tasty and good for on the go.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

[Squeezed]

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? Really good. Great to have better ingredients for more convenient food. I've only got a small kitchen and the packaging was a bit tricky to store but it looked good.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? Baked beans, without question. She loves baked beans anyway but these went down very quickly.
  
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? I think I would so I have something easy to prepare in the cupboard.
  
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes. It's tricky to find something very quick and easy without compromising on ingredients too much.
  
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! I hadn't thought about it. Probably more likely to add them to simple meals like with fish fingers.

[cgraves]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
  

Healthy wholesome tasty meals

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

Definitely the spaghetti hoops!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

Yes as like the fact they have lots of hidden veg

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  

Yes would reccomend, if you're travelling and need to take food they'll eat

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics?
  

My son doesn't eat soup so I used the soup as a base for a tomato sauce. HE LOVED IT!

also than you for the apron!

[Preggocinders]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
  

Loved them, packaging was nice and easy to recycle the cardboard sleeve. DS very picky with veg and lived how the sauces were packed with veg in a form he knows and loves already.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

Baked beans! I grated a little cheese on top and some toast soldiers for dipping

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

Yes, DS liked them, quick and easy to throw a meal together for him. Loved the amount of veg packed in.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  

Yes, I think other mums I know would like this product, quick, easy and family favourites.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
  

I was thinking of using the beans as a Base for baby chilli, adding to cooked mince, onion, garlic and a little sprinkle of mild chilli powder with some rice.

[NoodieRoodie]

I loved the look of these, I liked the fact they weren't in tins and the packaging looked very appealing.

Unfortunately no one in the house liked any of them! We tried the soup for lunch DS2 (20 months) smelt it and wouldn't even try it, DD (3) tried two mouthfuls and wouldn't eat any more. I tried the macaroni cheese and hoops for dinner and it was the same story. I even got DS1 (5) and DH to try the hoops and neither of them liked them. DH said they were far to sweet.

It's a real shame because I thought they looked great and would be a really handy thing to keep in the cupboard for emergencies.

Also did anyone else find the heating time really strange. I have a high watt microwave but even so found that they needed about a minute and a half to make them hot, not the 30 seconds stated on the label?

[Awholelotofhot]

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
They looked good, smart packaging

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

She would only eat the macaroni cheese which she loved but there was a lot of sauce left at the end. She doesn't like very sloppy foods like soup and never touches them, this was no different. Baked beans she refused too....

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

Yes to mac and cheese. If/when she deigns to eat baked beans and soup again then i definitely would as like the low salt, additives approach

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  

Yes if they ate these foods as they're better for children than Heinz etc

I did think the beans and hoops were a huge portion for a 1-2 year old. Mac and cheese was fine as that was a full meal but beans are usually on the side and this would be about 3 portions for her.

Plus I agree with an above poster than the 30 seconds heat time doesn't heat them!

I love Little Dish generally so keep them coming!

[MagicAlwaysLeadsToTrouble]

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

They do look lovely in their packaging, quite a different look to the other Little Dish meals we have previously bought.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

Spaghetti hoops were enjoyed by my 1 year old but my 3 and 5 year olds were less keen I'm afraid.

I had to add pasta to the macoroni too, it was too much sauce otherwise and my kids are a bit fussy on sauce overload.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

I like the fact that they are low sugar but it would depend on the price, things like baked beans can be quite cheap so might be hard for little dish to compete with that?

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  

Yes, for convenience for little ones they could be very handy. Would be good for camping as can heat in hot water in the pouches.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
  

My kids don't eat soup (annoyingly) but I had the tomato soup in a slow cooker recipe! I added loads of veg, tin of tomatoes and the soup packet for a big batch of veggie stew for work lunches!

[douglas2013]

-What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
I liked the packaging, its very practical and makes for easy storage if putting in bags/nappy bags for travel. All the ingredients listed on the packaging were handy as i usually compare ingredients on various products before deciding.


-Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
I first tried her on the Tomato soup which went down a treat with limited spillage. followed by the Mac and Cheese which was also a hit the hoops and baked beans sadly did not receive the same response.

If i had to pick between the two i would say the soup just beat the mac and cheese.

-Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
Yes i would definitely buy little dish classics again as they are a healthy alternative to a home cooked meal when you are out and about. Another positive is that there is no need to refrigerate, keep in a cool dry place is sufficient.

-Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
I would recommend to friends and family as i have been doing since i first started using Little Dish. the convenience of the product makes it a must for mums (and dads) on the go.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
  

I added in Cheese toast with the soup, although some of the toast was gobbled up, it was definitely the soup that was the highlight.

[NoFucksImAQueen]

First impressions was a lot of box for 4 small pouches. Apron is cute.

Both DD and Ds snubbed the soup on day1 which didn't really bother me as there's lots of fresh soups about I know they like.

I'd buy the beans again as they were the only one DD would eat. I'll admit I tasted them and my first thought was 'bland' but she seemed to like them and ate most of the packet.
I would only be able to buy them when it's just me and her though as the boys (5 and 2) wouldn't touch them so it would make it difficult having to make separate food for everyone and I know she would just try and steal theirs.

[NoFucksImAQueen]

Dog liked the beans as well.

[OhDearToby]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? They looked good, well packaged and clear instructions. I liked they didn't need to be heated until they were boiling so could feed them practically right away (my girl doesn't like to wait for for food!).
  

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? The beans and the spaghetti hoops. She literally shuddered when I tried to feed her the macaroni cheese and this is a child who has never refused a food before The soup didn't go down well either.
  

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? The beans and hoops yes I probably would, depending on the price. They were easy and convenient.
  

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Probably if they needed something quick and easy for a toddler.
  

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! I put the beans with leftover sausages from the night before.

[Jmbarr]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
  

Nice packaging, though cardboard slightly flimsy - plastic packaging inside fell out easily. Pouch nice and easy to open. Food looked a bit bland, though tasted nice. However, the recipe wasn't really suitable for my 15-month-old - too much sauce in each one, so they were just too sloppy. I also would have thought that recipes such as the macaroni cheese wouldn't really be sloppy at all...

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

Hard to tell, as he wasn't hugely enthused by any of them despite going through a growth spurt at the moment, but probably the macaroni cheese in terms of the speed at which he attacked it initially!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

Sadly, no. There is just too much sauce for small baby spoons, and as he frequently wants to self-feed, it's a bit of a disaster! I don't think I would buy them even once he is entirely self-fed, as there is just too much sauce in each recipe.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
  

I wouldn't recommend them, as they are too messy. I am also slightly concerned about the 'hidden veg' thing - nice idea, but why hide them? Kids need to get used to them and being able to see them would normalise veg eating, I think!

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
  

Not applicable

I feel bad leaving a negative review They are a lovely idea, especially with the low salt/no added sugar, but just not for us, I'm afraid.

[glitterglitters]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I loved them. The packaging looked really cool and doesn't take up a lot of cupboard space. It's one of those things I can stock up for emergencies and if I'm trying to rein the sugar etc in a bit. Also the selection was what I'd definitely deem "comfort food" so ideal for when you have a poorly household or toddler.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The soup was a roaring success. Not only was it the perfect consistency and got my daughter using her spoon it smelt amazing. Dd actually had to bat her df away because he kept wanting to taste it.

Every single plate was cleared and a few table manners went out the window (as you can see from the photos)

Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes! The shelf life on them is brilliant, they fit in the cupboard easily and they don't come with any "mum guilt". I'm 33 weeks pregnant at the moment and craving Chinese food. Usually we eat as a family but I wouldn't want my dd eating takeaway so these were quick and easy meals (1 minute in the microwave!) that I knew she would enjoy and had better nutrition than most "easy" kids food.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Absolutely. My mil has been given instructions to pick these up for when she is my dd because they are a nice hot meal she can have at lunch, without eating into their playtime and if she's knackered when she comes home then i know she's had a hot meal in the day.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

They're all pretty straightforward so I wouldn't feel the need to muck them about too much. The soup would make a brilliant base for a pasta sauce, plus with 2 of the 5 a day you could really load it up with extra veggies for a healthy dinner. The beans as well would be great to do with sausages and as part of a bigger meal. They were enjoyed on their own though!

[CherriesInTheSnow]

Thank you for letting us try them and for the apron!

First of all, the packaging is really great. The characters are adorable, the packaging as a whole is very cute and something that would definitely draw my eye on shelves next to other products. I also really liked the cardboard/pouch idea, very practical space-wise and stands out.

The information on the back is eyecatching too, especially the ingredients list and as someone who predominantly home cooks my toddler's food I was very pleased to see the healthy ingredients with no rubbish added.

The pouches themselves are very convenient for having around and make great quick meals - so useful if you are busy or have a new baby etc and guilt free because the ingredients are great!

Onto the actual product - the beans were definitely my (20 month old) DD''s favourite, and she had them with toast and cheese - so quick to make and delicious. The other flavours unfortunately did not go down very well, and I must say I tasted them and I didn't find them very appealing either, particularly the macaroni cheese.

The main problems were the ratio of solid food to sauce (particularly the mac and cheese which was far more sauce than pasta) which my DD did not like and I would worry this would not be enough on its own, which slightly defeats the object of having a ready to eat meal. It's fine in the case of the beans and the soup though as I would expect this to be the case!

The sauce itself of the mac and cheese and spaghetti hoops tasted slightly odd and watery. I think honestly that you can add more flavour these without adding salt or sugar- a bit more herbs and spice and just a bit more substance on the whole would make all of these an outstanding product.

I would still recommend these to friends and family with young children, as they are certainly healthy and convenient, but would like to see a couple of changes as mentioned before repurchasing. Thank you again for the opportunity to try them! :)

[Spideygirl77]

I was really impressed how the meals arrived and the apron was a lovely touch - thank you 😃
The cardboard packaging was lovely very well thought out with lovely pictures and the pouch was easy to heat up although maybe it was my microwave it wasn't hot enough for my little one had to put the soup back in for a second blast. Also the beans had to go back in! Left the spaghetti hoops out first for while I was at work. Husband said they went down a treat with little one and it was a minimum effort lunch for him as he served with toast.
Next up was the soup I did some garlic bread fingers with it. Judging by the mess that was also a hit. I served the beans with sausage on toast she didn't seem as keen on them but she is more of a spag hoop kid. I tasted the beans and although you could tell they had no salt (sorry I'm a self confessed salt addict 🙊) I actually thought they tasted great. There was a lot of sauce but I liked that. The macoroni cheese.... as it was so saucy I steamed some broccoli mixed it through and threw some herby breadcrumbs on the top, this absorbed the fluid up and was easier for little one to eat with a fork.
I would recommend, especially the spag hoops great for emergencies and the mac cheese but it did need the other foods adding to take up the fluid. Would definitely buy again. Thank you for letting us be taste testers 😊

[MrsFigg]

Thank you so much for the trial and the apron. It looked lovely to open. Was very excited to try it.

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Lovely packaging, clear to read. Would definitely be appealing on the shelves in the shops.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Well sadly my 19 month old was quite hard to please. The tomato soup was probably the better of the dishes.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Feel awful leaving this review but I'm Afraid I wouldn't. She didn't like the dishes. My nephew (22months) Also tried the beans. They split the dish in two, it was quite large but Neither of them liked it. It had a definitely thick texture almost like a jarred baby food to me and it was lacking in taste like it needed seasoning.
My daughter refused any more than a mouthful of the others also. She has never enjoyed baby foods at all and sadly this was no different.
The soup was a bit better with some bread to dip.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Potentially as very child likes different things depending on price of course.
My other two always enjoyed the little dish fridge meals so I had high hopes.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

Not at the moment but will post again if I do!

[Allthatglitters90]

Overall both DD and I really enjoyed these products. I agree with other feedback saying the recipes were a bit too runny/saucy, though a bit of veg / bread fixed that.

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Really nice packaging, very easy to open. Really liked that they were baby friendly versions of products I'd wanted to try with DD but had avoided (usually due to sugar / salt content, she's just turning one).

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
  

Macaroni cheese! DD loves cheese and gobbled this up.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
  

Definitely would, all were very useful in their own way and more importantly, tasty. The hoops, tomato soup and beans were all good with bread/toast and the mac cheese is a good standby for dinner. I'm back to work soon so looking for products like these to have in the cupboard for when dinner is just a bit much for me!

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes I would - I like how low in salt/sodium and sugar they are and how tasty they are.
  

Afraid I haven't thought of anything more exciting than combining with toast so far

Thank you for letting us try, we've really enjoyed it!

[claza93]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? Healthy yummy meals - good selection and easy to use!
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? The delicious macaroni cheese
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Yes perfect for a meal in a hurry! As a working mum these are the perfect snack to give when time is short!
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Absolutely! They are tasty and healthy - what more can you want!
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them We bulked them out with pasta and bread as our little one is always hungry!

Thanks so much for letting us sample these products

[lozaa]

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? I liked the packaging and that it was easy to heat up without using multiple containers to warm and serve. I'm not sure how durable the packaging would be on supermarket shelves
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? The baked beans
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Yes I would buy the beans again, my toddler was not keen on the spaghetti, soup or macaroni cheese
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? I would recommend that they try them due to the sugar and salt content.
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! Just adding as part of a meal or with toast to bulk out

[lilyboleyn]

I loved the packaging, it looked really good quality and appealing. I liked that it was easy to see the product inside. It's not something I would have immediately reached for because I usually buy organic baby food (I'm vegetarian and I believe they probably have a better life) but as these were all vegetarian meals I wasn't worried about them not being organic. I liked how easy the ingredients list was to read. It's not so easy to reseal the product if your LO doesn't eat the whole pouch, though.

My LO loved both pasta dishes and the beans, but as usual she particularly loved the macaroni cheese - a little cheese fiend. She wasn't so bothered with the soup, but that was because she hasn't worked out how to keep it on her spoon... when it was presented to her on a piece of bread she happily ate it.

I would buy them again as long as the price was right, but wouldn't bother with the soup. They're actually nice and tasty, unlike some other baby foods we've tried. They don't taste 'cheap' but are quite pleasant and I think they're a slightly more healthy option.

I'd definitely recommend them - already have!

We ended up using the soup as a basic pizza sauce over a chunky piece of bread with some cheese sprinkled on top.

Thanks ever so much for letting us take part - we had great fun!