Sandwiches/cold/light meals

[MarnieM]

Hi Everyone, I am beginning to tear my hair out on what to feed my 2ds' when a light meal is called for. My boys are 2.7yrs and 14mths. The 2.7yr old loved sandwiches until he was 14mths old and has sinced refused to eat them. My 14mth old has yet to eat them. I have tried just cold meats and cheese, not always successful and 14mth old wont eat the cold meats. I have tried quiche, ok for 14mth old not for 2.7yr old. I have tried pate & humous and pitta's instead of bread...again not always successful. Has anyone got any tips? With preschool looming for 2.7yr old and lunch club I have no idea what to give him in a pack lunch. Thanks.

Marking place! My DCs have a hot meal in the day and refuse one at night so we do light dinners, but it is really hard to think of ideas.

wraps and rolls/soft baps work well for mine, as no crusts to leave. Pasta salad?

Have you thought about getting your 2.7yr old to help make the sandwiches? How about crackers instead of bread? Or breadsticks & peppers to dip in houmous?

You may find that your older DC will eat better when surrounded by other children at pre school.

My ds (4) likes a 'mini meze'. I do a pitta cut into fingers, hummus, carrot sticks, cubes of cheese, ham, apple, strawberries etc. He likes to have a carpet picnic which I think helps too.

He's just started liking wraps as he has them at school. Wouldn't have them in the past when I've tried. He likes grated carrot and cheese and likes to make them himself.

He's quite into how things look on the plate so I put fruit on skewers etc to make it a put different. He likes cheese and crackers but he likes to make faces so we use grapes etc for eyes and shredded ham for hair etc.

I tend to make wraps and pasta salads for packed lunches.

Cream cheese and ham with lettuce. Spread the cream cheese on the middle, add a slice of ham, a couple of lettuce leaves and fold. Use a smear of cream cheese as 'glue' to hold the wrap, then cut in two.

Chopped up chicken/tuna with mayo and lettuce. I put the lettuce first, then add the chicken and mayo mixture. You could add some sweetcorn in with the chicken/tuna mixture.

I also do chicken caesar. Lay on a few lettuce leaves, add some chopped up chicken, drizzle on caesar dressing, add some slices of red pepper.

Get everything prepared and let them add the fillings.

To save time, wash a few days worth of lettuce and keep in the fridge. Chicken/tuna mayo mix will also keep for a few days.

Pasta salads are usually chicken/tuna and sweetcorn.

Thanks so much for all your tips, I have tried crackers but find my kids only eat the crackers...!!!!!! I try and save pasta as a hot meal, but I know it makes sense to do as a cold meal too. Thanks so much for your recipes and to get 2.7yr old to help make the sarnie, hadn't thought of that.

How about arranging the sandwich differently? My cousin used to have her sandwich made into a swiss roll type concoction. It was spreading cheese with a slice of meat and crusts cut off. The bread was rolled like a swiss roll and wrapped in cling film before refrigerating for 30mins. It was then sliced into £1coin size slices. Much more appealing for children.

I got some fun shaped cookie/pastry cutters from £1 shop - things like leaves, cars, elephant etc & used them to cut DS's sandwiches up (there wasn't much waste - less than him refusing to eat them altogether). He loved them!