Mexcla

[karmakameleon]

I bought this book on a whim and there look like quite a few interesting recipes but I’m not sure what to cook bearing in mind that I need something my children will eat. They aren’t actually that fussy, but most recipes seem either a bit too unusual for them or don’t really make a meal.

So does anyone have any recommendations of something to start with?

I presume you mean Mezcla, Ixta Belfrage? I have that book and adore it. Without knowing your kids it's hard to say exactly what would be ok for them, so I will just lists some of my top hits and what I added to make a meal, and if you have any questions about them I would be happy to answer. Also it could be worth taking a peak at the Weekly New Recipe thread in this section and searching the book title as a number of us have made recipes and done mini write ups on how they went.

Crispy oyster mushroom skewers with crushed chickpeas
-served with flat bread, but is rich and hearty so ok without

Roasted cabbage with mango and harissa salsa
-served with grilled chicken

Cheesy polenta with curried onions
-served with sausages (this feels like a take on bangers, mash, and onion gravy and it's my favourite new discovery this year)

Dendê marinated prawns with burnt lime
-served jollof rice

Pappardelle with chipotle pancetta sauce
-served with rocket for greenery but would be fine without

Chicken with pineapple and 'nduja
-served with flat bread

Cannelloni enchiladas
-no accompniment needed

Duck with Mexicorn sauce and spring onion salsa
-served with crusty roll

Yes, doh , Mezcla! Thanks, I’ll have a look at some of these. I think one specific issue is one child doesn’t eat cooked fruit and a lot of the savoury dishes have fruit in them. But he does eat sweet and sour chicken with pineapple in so maybe the chicken with pineapple and ‘nduja could work.

I love Mezcla - it's been one of my recipe books of the year - but it's not really the cookbook I'd recommend to someone who wants weeknight recipes for a young family. The subtitle of the book is 'Recipes to Excite' and while it delivers on that, it means that it's not designed for young children. These are ones I've cooked which lend themselves lmore to being complete meals than part of spread and more child friendly (maybe, depending on what your children eat).

Porcini ragù - the recipe picture is definitely tinted very red. In reality it looks more like a creamy mushroom sauce. Serve with pasta to make a meal

Spinach and herb dumplings in cherry tomato sauce - I cheated and used tinned tomatoes which were delicious. I served with pasta again, but would be wonder with focaccia or flatbreads

Cheesy polenta with curried onions - had this for dinner yesterday with sausages and green vegetables. Perfect winter warmer comfort food

Miso butter butternut gnocchi - I used butterbeans instead of the gnocchi and served with bread and salad

Piri piri tofu over crispy orzo - a one pan meal!

Butternut squash and sage lasagne gratin - another one pot meal, though I served for guests with salad and focaccia which was lovely

Charred red pepper sauce with omelette noodles - a one dish meal, but I really recommend the salsa from the vegan version of the recipe in the Guardian

Thanks for these. I’ll take a look. The DC aren’t actually that fussy and I cook Ottolenghi recipes for them when I have some time to invest. I think I also have a DH problem as some of these he’d veto because he doesn’t like a particular ingredients (eg polenta, tofu)!