Help! Need delicious healthy veggie family meal ideas that suit under 5s

[megandraper]

All the news about processed meat has made me feel that DCs have too much sausage and ham. Most of our meals are either meat-based or fish-based. I do cook mostly from scratch. I think I need to expand my repertoire.

I want DCs (age 5, 3 and 1.5) to have plenty of protein for growth - but think I need to cut down on red meat generally. But they are implacably opposed to not keen on 'stew' type things, or anything in a sauce really.

Also, we have to eat gluten-free, so recipes based around wheat aren't great, though I can adapt a lot of things, like breadcrumbs, easily, so don't hold back because of that.

Any ideas gratefully received.

I say this on all the food threads! (seems like)
Google Annabel Karmel baked risotto. it makes a nice family dinner but you might have to bulk it up a bit for older kids so you all get a decent portion! you can throw all sorts of veggies in and I sometimes serve it with roast chicken. Have fun looking for stuff!

I was all ready to say macaroni cheese but then saw your caveat about no gluten!

Is it possible to make gluten free cheese sauce? If so, DS has always loved mixed veg (cauli, brocoli, peas etc) in cheese sauce on a baked potato.

He'a also a big fan of Cheese and Lentil slice, which I promise you is much nicer than it sounds! It's from the Rose Elliott Complete Vegetarian book which I love. There's also a recipe for Nut Mince which does contain breadcrumbs and might be a bit too stew-like? Worth a look though.

He also likes stir fry which I often do with whole cashew nuts but when he was smaller I'd do that marinated tofu instead.

Falafel are good, for lunches or with a load of salad/veg etc for dinner. Tesco do pretty decent frozen ones.

Bean enchiladas go down well too, as long as they are not too spicy! Any kind of cooked beans, tomato sauce, some spice, maybe some other veg, rolled in tortillas and baked in the oven with cheese and yoghurt on top.

Thanks both. Yes, g-f flour works well in cheese sauce and we do macaroni cheese often. I've tried them with cauliflower cheese, but they were very rude about it. They do like broccoli on peas though, so that's a good idea.

I will look up all the recipes you mention, many thanks.

Jacket potato with cheese and beans?

I fried tofu until it was crispy in a stir fry, it was yummy, but quite time consuming, maybe my method was wrong. It had to be seasoned with soy sauce (I use gf as have coeliac son), was horribly bland otherwise. I bet the ready marinated has gluten- but haven't checked.

Chick pea curry is delicious but maybe to stewish. I always serve mixed in with rice and easy on sauce for fussy ds1.

Not veggie, but smoked haddock fish cakes are good, mixed with mash coated in gf bread crumbs.

Spanish tortilla/ frittata with potato wedges.

We are into crn quesadillas at the moment too

A few ideas here:
This recipe is a bit saucey but could be reduced further to a consistency that you like, it's sweet and tasty. The chickpeas bring the protein:
Moroccan carrot and chickpea stew
This is a brilliant, easy and tasty rice and bean based recipe Jambalaya
Lentil bolagnese to serve with rice or gluten free pasta...
Hope you find the suggestions helpful!

That's a really useful blog you have linked to DrLadyBird thanks! Going up from one (veggie Thursday) to two days a week now (Tuesdays too) and those recipes will really come in handy.

Thanks for that blog DrLadyBird, looks great!

Brilliant! Glad it's useful. We stash all our veggie favourites up there.