On a tight budget and need to meal plan but need some advice...

[mamadiva]

my DP and DS are exremyly fussy, DS is almost 3 and rarely eats anything really but what little he will eat is pretty crap.

As it is I am the only one in the house who will eat veg, I want to make sure that there ios atleast a decent meal put down infront of DS every night even if he does'nt eat it I've tried!

Mainproblem being the no veg thing so must be hidden and not chunky other thing being that I work 5-7pm Monday-Friday so obviously not in at tea time so must be prepared etc for DP to heat up and serve.

Any suggestions would love some ideas as we basically live on the same crap because I can't afford to buy food for it to go to waste

Cottage pie - I grate carrot, onion and courgette into the mince then add a bit of gravy browning if it's looking too veg-like. (no idea what is in that stuff by the way - tar possibly?)

Pasta sauce - ditto add grated veg to a bolognese type sauce

Soup - DS is equally veg intolerant but will eat a smooth mixed brocolli/leek/potato/carrot/pea soup if I make it with a stock cube (sigh more evils I know but what can you do?) and provide things like cold sausage & bread&butter for dipping.

Fishcakes - mix tinned tuna & cold mash potato with a little spring onion, few peas and a grated courgette (but squeeze out excess water). Form into patties, coat in flour and leave in the fridge. Just need to be shallow fried, DS loves these with ketchup.

Curry - I finely chop chicken, onion and red pepper and brown before adding a jar korma sauce. Simmer for 10 mins then add a load of chopped butternut squash. Simmer for a bit longer and it will go mushy and meld with the sweet sauce. For DS I freeze small portions already mixed with the rice.

Hope that helps and good luck!