Read MNers’ feedback on new Little Dish Classics - £300 voucher to be won for feedback! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

We’ve got together with Little Dish to find 250 Mumsnetters with at least one child aged 1-2 to try their new Little Dish Classics range, created especially for toddlers, and to share their feedback on MN. Each tester was sent 4 recipes which included Little Dish Baked Beans, Little Dish Spaghetti Hoops, Little Dish Macaroni Cheese and Little Dish Tomato Soup to try with their 1-2 year old.

Hillary, Little Dish’s founder, has said: “As a Mum, I know first-hand how important it is to give your toddlers the most nutritious food. I also know that some days I need a helping hand to get a speedy supper on the table without compromising on nutrition or taste. So I’m excited to introduce our new Little Dish Classics - a range of family favourites reinvented for toddlers’ nutritional needs.

Many top brand Baked Beans and Spaghetti Hoops contain added sugar or sweeteners and high levels of salt, so we recreated these recipes to be low in salt with no added sugar, sweeteners, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. We’ve also blended extra veg into them such as cauliflower, carrot and butternut squash, to help your little ones towards their 5 a day. As with all Little Dish recipes, these are approved by our nutritionist and have been given the thumbs up by our Tiny Tasters across the UK. You can keep Little Dish Classics in your kitchen cupboard and they are ready to eat in minutes.

We’re looking forward to hearing what you and your toddler think.”

If you’ve taken part in this test, Little Dish would like you to post on this thread, answering the questions below:

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

We’d also love to see some photos of your DC enjoying Little Dish Classics, so please share on the thread if you can!

Everyone who gives their feedback on this thread and completes the feedback survey will be entered into a prize draw, where one lucky MNer will win a £300 John Lewis Voucher.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw,

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Also meant to add, when my husband and I tasted the dishes they were quite bland. We use a lot of herbs and spice at home and our toddler likes that. However, ultimately it didn't matter as my little one ate them but I think a Mac & cheese should actually taste of cheese and it didn't so would love it a bit cheesier.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

The packaging is quite eye catching, mostly recyclable which is a plus. The ingredients list is very clear too which makes a nice change!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

He wasn't mad keen on any of them sadly! He did try some of the baked beans and the hoops though. He wouldn't touch the macaroni cheese though.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

We probably wouldn't buy these again personally but we may try the ones aimed at slightly older children if the price is right. I think where my son is at the older end of the test scale for the food he's used to much more solid food. Having read through some other answers though we should have combined the foods with other things!

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

I probably would to friends with little ones who are at an earlier stage of weaning. There's a good amount of healthy ingredients in them which takes a lot of the pressure off them and the cooking times are very quick too which is really handy.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

A lasagne would be great (obviously not in pouch packaging though!).

Thank you for letting us try them, the apron was a lovely touch!

Just realised I read the last question wrong didn't I

We tried the meals as they were.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

The packaging was inviting and the clear ingredient list was really helpful. They were all a bit too liquidy for my daughter and she really disliked the taste of the beans!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Macaroni cheese

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

If at the right price I might buy them for taking away on weekend breaks etc

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes for traveling and visiting people.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

bland tasteless and would have been better off giving the kid the food out of a tin

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

he refused all of them

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again?

no, my child did not like them. Why?

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

no, i think they all have a bland flavourless taste, and that is not what feeding a toddler is about

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics?

no

If so, please share them!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I so wanted to like this and was excited to try them out as the concept is great and useful for emergencies and quick meals

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

She hated Mac & Cheese the least.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I'd try a couple of different varieties as the texture of the pasta and beans was spot on. The flavour however was just too bland, and she didn't eat much which is very unusual for my DD!

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

They are defiantly worth a try, but depends on price compared to say Heinz reduced sugar and salt which we already use and love

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

I bunged the soup into a stew I was making which got gobbled up so good for sneaking extra veg in

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Great! Love the idea of making classic quick toddler food healthier (and especially hiding veg in it!). Liked the packaging- like that it'd be easy to slip one in the changing bag for going to Granny's, etc.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Baked beans, by miles. I tried a little first, and thought it was foul and there's no way they'd eat them (my 2 shared one pack on toast, with some cheese and an egg). But they loved it!

They weren't too keen on the others tbh, but that's my fussy children!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I'd absolutely buy the baked beans again, was chuffed with them.
I might buy another recipe to take round to grandparents.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yep - especially the beans as so much healthier.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

I don't think it counts as a recipe as such, but my two loved the beans on toast with grated cheese and a fried egg on top!

I felt that the dishes were great. They look the part and my daughter loved them. Her favourite was definitely the spaghetti hoops and I've never seen a fish disappear so quickly! I love the fact that even in the baked beans, there are extra veg crammed in to ensure our kids are getting their 5 a day. The packaging was lovely, although takes up quite a bit more room than necessary.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Really liked them and the fewer ingredients was a plus there was no rubbish in them. Fell right in with our clean living values

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Beans and hoops which we never buy they loved them

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes for sure because they suit a quick emergency meal love that they can be stored in the food cupboard without taking up much room

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes the children liked them quick easy
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

The soup was a spaghetti base with mince basil and onions

My overall opinion of the range was very good great packaging and good designs. Nice range of flavours
My favourite recipe was the hoops and baked beans my daughter loved them they made a good accompliment to a meal
I would buy some of the range again mainly the pasta and beans my daughter was not keen on the soups
I would recommend to my mum friends as they are a convenient product my daughter enjoys

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
Nice idea, quick and convenient.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I'd buy the hoops again but not all the range. The macaroni cheese wasn't very nice so I would stick with home made.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

I'd recommend them to give it a go, they are definitely a good idea for quick and easy meals.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

I'd use the soup as a base for tomato pasta and the beans in a chilli.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Lovely packaging, look like will travel well. Portion too large for smaller toddlers and would probably do two children with extra bits added.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Would try again when he is a little older and able to manage more liquid foods. Definite convenience factor and liked the hidden veg and sugar/salt free.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Depending on the age of the child, but generally yes. Good things to have in the cupboard for quick teas.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

I'd add veg to the mac and cheese to reduce the liquid level.

Thank you for choosing us to test the Little Dish Classics

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

My overall impression of the Little Dish Classics was that they where a great selection of tasty meals, i really liked the minimal packaging they take up very little space in the cupboard or in my bag, they are a nutritional & an easy option for mums who want to give their children a nutritious meals without the hassle of preparing ingredients & making meals from scratch.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

My little one enjoyed them all but his favourite recipe was the beans which went down well with some wholemeal toast

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I would definitely buy them again, i have got to say i never really purchase ready made meals as i never class them as being very nutritious i was surprised that Little Dish Classics meals which i tested had great nutritional value & i would be happy to feed them to my toddler regularly. I find it time consuming making a meal for one child of a day time so this is a gret option for me!

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

I have recommended them mainly because they are far more nutritional than i thought ready meals would be & the fact that they are just so easy to prepare.

Thank you for choosing us to test the Little Dish Classics

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

My overall impression of the Little Dish Classics was that they where a great selection of tasty meals, i really liked the minimal packaging they take up very little space in the cupboard or in my bag, they are a nutritional & an easy option for mums who want to give their children a nutritious meals without the hassle of preparing ingredients & making meals from scratch.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

My little one enjoyed them all but his favourite recipe was the beans which went down well with some wholemeal toast

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I would definitely buy them again, i have got to say i never really purchase ready made meals as i never class them as being very nutritious i was surprised that Little Dish Classics meals which i tested had great nutritional value & i would be happy to feed them to my toddler regularly. I find it time consuming making a meal for one child of a day time so this is a gret option for me!

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

I have recommended them mainly because they are far more nutritional than i thought ready meals would be & the fact that they are just so easy to prepare.

Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

We added rocket, cheese & toms to the macaroni & i think chorizo & basil would be lovely in the tomato soup!

hat was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
Really liked the simple packaging and the quantity was good too. One was enough for both of my toddlers.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Baked beans. Afraid neither liked the macaroni cheese or the hoops. I used the soup as a pasta sauce and that went down a treat.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I'd buy the beans and soup. Fab for taking away or if they were staying at their grandparents.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

It depends. Id recommended some of the recipes. I think there is quite a lot of sauce which some kids dislike.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

A ready made pasta dish would be good, carbonara or something.

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? I liked the packaging, nice and colourful and aimed at children.
Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? Macaroni cheese
Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Yes. Son liked them, so would definitely consider purchasing again.
Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes, recipes aimed for little ones with reduced salt etc etc.
Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? Really nice, lovely smell, gorgeous taste and my daughter loved them.
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? The baked beans that's her favourite food at the min and she really appreciated those!
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Yes I definitely would they were so much different to regular food for toddlers and had a lovely smell and taste and they lasted not long with my daughter so proved she liked them
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes I would as it's healthy not artificial and really loved by kids.
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them. No I haven't but would love to learn some!

Thanks for choosing us to try these x

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? Loved the packaging and the idea
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? Beans. I find soup with toddlers too much work! The spaghetti was great too. I thought the macaroni cheese (which I was excited about!) smelt and tasted really unpleasant, not at all cheesy and with that boiled vegetable smell. But ds loved it and wolfed it down so can't really complain!
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? It would depend on the price, but if comparable to every day brands then I would buy some of them
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? As above, I would but only if price was comparable
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! The beans would be great added to chilli. Some chopped up ham and a few frozen peas in the pasta would really bulk it out nicely too! Even though I know there are hidden veg I struggle without anything green on the plate!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

They looked really good and professional. I liked the way they were packaged. Disappointed that they were very saucey and my little girl wasn't a big fan

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Baked beans - mixed it up into a shepherds pie as she wouldn't eat them on their own

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Probably not, although I really like the idea they were quite runny for toddlers and my little one found it hard to eat.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Probably not, price depending I would probably suggest a low sugar/organic adult cheaper alternative if we were looking only at part of a meal rather than a whole

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? Mixed the beans up with shepherds pie to bulk it out a little

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Overall, I thought the idea of some classic kids meals without the added sugar and salt was a good one. We all need some go to back up meals in the cupboard, it would be nice to think they weren't too unhealthy.

So these are a good idea in principle. At 19 months old, I wasn't sure what my twins would think of these. Some of them went down better than others!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The spaghetti hoops went down the best with both of the twins, by far!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, some of them, if they were the right price.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes and no. The macaroni cheese in particular was quite sloppy, I wouldn't recommend it for older toddlers. My Lucie was not impressed! The beans and spaghetti hoops though are a great alternative to higher salt and sugar versions.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!

I thought the beans would make a great inclusion into a shepherd's pie.

(This is user spagbollocks, having trouble accessing my account)

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? I liked the packaging, very clear list of ingredients and they take up little space.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? Unfortunately he didn't like any of them.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? No, my son spat out every one of them, said 'yuck' and refused to try another mouthful. My older son also had the same response.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? No, based on my son's reaction to the food.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! No I haven't

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

They look tasty and the packaging was appealing.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Mac Cheese

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, because my little one enjoyed it.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes because they seem tasty but not the spaghetti because it was too watery/lacked flavour

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! Lasagne (veggie)

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

A great idea but a mixed bag of results.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The spaghetti hoops. DD thought they were amazing, although her insistence on catching the hoops on the times of her fork to eat them meant dinner took a really really long time!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Definitely the spaghetti hoops and maybe the beans. I like that they have less salt and sugar than even the low sugar /salt ones, and the hidden veg is ace. That said, the mac and cheese wasn't popular in our house at all and the tomato sauce was quite bland - great as a base for pasta sauce but not enough on its own.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

The hoops and the beans because they are better for DCs without them knowing. Not the soup or mac and cheese as they were a bit bland.

Unfortunately mine didn't arrive, they look fab though! Will be looking out for them in the shops.