great first day childminding... but need meal ideas!!

[chickenmama]

I just completed my first day childminding, it went really well and the kids were great.

I have one little boy whose mum has asked me to do dinner for him after school... does anyone have any healthy, affordable, child-friendly menu ideas? I did fish fingers, mash and peas tonight with fruit salad and I have a couple of other ideas but I want to make sure I offer him a variety and not the same thing all the time!

Looking forward to replies

I always have a stash of shepherds pies in the freezer, in case of emergencies for a start. I also do pasta sauces for the freezer. I try to do things that can be just warmed up in the oven, so that I don't spend too long in the kitchen. Ummm. chicken salad is a winner too. I usually just cube some chicken and put a bit of seasoning on it and fry it, serve with salad sruff. Ummm, Jacket spuds? One of mine also likes salmon en croute, with sweet corn and mash! You could always get him to make french bread or pita pizzas too. HTH!

Yep, shepherds pie, spag bol, homemade chicken/fish fingers... Yes again, jacket potatoes, pita/bread pizzas. I used to tie it in with what we were having, a lot more cost effective and easier than doing it twice.

And congrats on your first day!

Email me 'Katymacb' I have a menu (7 day & I rotate it)

Or I also have a 3 week version

I'm at hotmail.co.uk

www.1click2cook.co.uk

steamed salmon, potatoes & veg
jacket potato, sausge & beans
turkey stir fry
chicken risotto
lemon chicken & rice
fish pie

plain food like pork chops, chicken breast, thin slice beef, sausages with cous cous/pasta or rice & veg.

As this is a food thread, can I ask if anyone knows of any vegan recipes which children will eat.

chickenmama - nice to hear your first day has gone well. Pasta with some kind of sauce I often do, veg hotpot, sometimes the children just want sandwiches - can make it a teaparty, with things on cocktail sticks.

Cous-cous?
Rice & veggies
Doesn't pasta have egg in?
Ratatouille (sp?)

www.veganfamily.co.uk/kitchen.html I googled Vegan recipes for children and this came up - looks pretty good?

the children aren't actually vegan... it's just that at times we don't have much other than mostly veg.

Oh, so they can do eggs, butter, pasta that sort of thing?

The children aren't vegan, so yes can have anything. Meat however is a luxury, so isn't on the menu very often. The children aren't very interested in soups... pity as we can often make those!

Sent you a pressie Nick Hope it helps

How about fish? That's quite cheap (depending upon what you buy)

WHy did you ask vegan rather than vegie?

Ummm... veggie lasagne? Hidden veg pizza? Potato cakes.. Courgette bread, that sort of thing do any good?

Risotto is a bit of a faff, but you can make a large batch to freeze (add a little water when you reheat it), and kids like it. Mine like it with chopped chicken, peas, and cheese in it. Its cheap too.

NN - try here for vegan recipes.

Veg kebabs great fun to make (and eat!), risottos or cous cous with veggies (I love cous cous, 5 mins in boiling water and it's done!), veggies in tomatoey sauce with mashed potatoes, pizza - I either make base myself or get ready made base from shop, pile with veggies and cos I am vegan I use soya cheese but you could use real cheese if it's not a true vegan thing. Also veggie pies, either made or bought pastry, or flans. I do little individual ones if time! And, given half a chance, my dd would live on her fave meal, pasta with baked beans and cheese and a side salad!

HTH

Make your own pizzas with muffins. Cut them open, layer with tomatoe puree, then stick some veg, ham, tuna (whatever) and cheese. My LO loves his pizza.