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

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Overall, I quite liked the packaging. Although when heating up in the microwave, the packaging was so tall , combined with a small microwave, it kept catching on the top and falling over! So had to bend it slightly.

What was your DC's favourite recipe?

Spaghetti Hoops. Macaroni Cheese was spat straight out. It was quite sloppy, I'm guessing she didn't like the texture as she does BLW , so is used to bigger chunks etc. Tomato soup was enjoyed with a bread roll. But spaghetti was the overall winner!

Would I recommend Little Dish to family & friends?
Absolutely! I'd use them when time is limited, I.e) after school run before after school clubs, and maybe at lunchtime as an addition to a toastie etc So I'd recommend based on that principle.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

We loved the Little Dish classics, brilliant recipes on classic food.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Macaroni Cheese

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I would be tempted if the price was right as my little one enjoyed them (my older ones tried some of the spaghetti hoops too and enjoyed them as well).

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

I would recommend them to friends and family as they were thoroughly enjoyed by my children and they are much more healthy than other alternatives available.

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

We used the Little Dish beans and spaghetti hoops as sides accompanying other food. The macaroni cheese was a main meal for my little girl and we incorporated the tomato soup into a spaghetti bolognaise and used that as a sauce for my little girl- which she loved.

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

We loved the packaging, my daughter and sin were both there to help me open and immediately they both decided they wanted ome that instant! So massive hit for the kids!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? The macaroni one by far!
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, they were super convenient, easy to pop in changing bag when visiting family and great that we didn't have to compromise in nutrition!

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes although we have none with young children, if my mum has the younger ones I've recommended to have these in so I know they're getting something quality rather than processed crap.
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! Yes carbonara by adding broccoli and ham to the macaroni! Went down a treat!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
We liked the characters and the fact that the packaging clearly states what is included (and not included) in the ingredients

Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
Sadly, none of the items were enjoyed here, and after I tasted them I felt that they were far too bland/watery for my child to eat.
Beans (both standard and no-added) are usually a big hit, but he painstakingly removed each bean from his toast before eating. Soup is never a success anyway, so lasted only a few dips, and the macaroni and spaghetti were both too saucy.
I also found the heating instructions incorrect-30s left the food tepid

Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
Based on these dishes, no, but would try other flavours as I still love the idea of them being a low salt/sugar alternative

Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
I would probably suggest they try them, depending on the babies tastes (my son was weaned with curry and always picks extra mature cheese so is used to stronger flavours!)

Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
I might try adding the leftover beans to a 5-bean chili, or adding cheese for cheesy beans on toast.

Hi All,

Thank you for taking part in this product test and for leaving your feedback. Below is a quick message from Little Dish:

"Thanks for all your feedback so far, we’re really grateful to you for taking time out of your busy lives to try our new range. We’ve had a few comments on the recipes being very saucy, so we wanted to let you know that we’ve made our Classics with extra sauce so that we can add in lots of hidden veg to help your little ones towards their 5 a day. Thanks again for your feedback on this, and on other points – please keep it coming!"

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked the packaging and that it wasn't bulky so easy to store. I loved that so simple to use and so quick in microwave..fantastic.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

She ate the tomato soup so fast. She loved it.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Definitely. Daughter ate them all and finished her plate.

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

Definitely. Good ingredients. Good ethos and delicious.

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

Another message from Little Dish below:

"Hi everyone. We’ve noticed that a couple of you have commented on the recommended cooking time for our new range, so we wanted to let you know that we’ve recommended 30 seconds as it heats up the recipes without them becoming too piping hot. However, you know best how hot your little one likes their food, and all of the recipes in the range are in fact safe to eat without heating at all, so you should feel free to heat them to the temperature that keeps your toddler happy."

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Overall I thought they were great, loved the idea of sneaking more veg in there. Liked the packaging and the fact they don't take any effort to make.

The only thing I thought was that the potion size was too big for a 1 year old. I ended up splitting the hoops and beans between my two kids. Maybe two smaller portions could be added into one packet?!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Think it was the macaroni cheese - he's never had this before and he downed it all quickly.

Unfortunately my son started off eating the soup but then didn't seem to like it and then started spitting it out!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I think it would depend on the price, if the were reasonable then yes! My son liked them and I like the idea of extra veg and no nasties in there.

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

Yes, my son loved all of them apart from the soup and they tasted good. They're easy and quick to prepare.

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

I just added the hoops and beans to toast and they went down well.

Just wanted to add my little girl has been baking with her grandad in her brand new apron. Perfect fit! Thank you

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I really liked the packaging and the fact that it can be recycled. Really easy to read ingredients list and good to see lots of hidden veggies.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

He quite liked all of them - the macaroni cheese went down the best and he found the consistency easy to feed to himself.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I'd definitely buy these for him to take into nursery (he can't have food we've cooked at home to reheat!) so this would be a really good option.

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

I definitely would, they're really useful to have in the cupboard or to take out and about.

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

some he's had with bread or toast. We used the tomato soup with pasta as a sauce after I found out the hard way that a 1 year old and soup don't mix well!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked the packaging and overall look of the products, simple and smart. I was impressed with the ingredients list and extra veg and the easy preparation instructions.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

My one year old daughters favourite was the macaroni cheese. I thought my two year old son would choose the same, but he surprised me and seemed to prefer the soup.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes I would buy again. The packets are great for super quick and easy meal or as an addition to other meals. The varieties are all likeable to toddlers too.

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

I would definitely recommend to others. They are so quick and easy to prepare, have great ingredients list and help the child to achieve their five a day.

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

They would be so easy to add to and incorporate into other meals, for example carbonara with the macaroni and chilli with the beans.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? Lovely packaging, looks different to others already available. Good nutrition and ingredient information. All smelled very nice which isn't always the way with pre-packaging foods!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? The spaghetti hoops went down very well! We're still spoon feeding so not as messy as if they were feeding themselves.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? I do try to make all meals from scratch but I would buy the beans to incorporate into other recipes

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? I would definitely recommend them and I'm glad I got the chance to try them

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? The beans would be nice in a chilli and the soup would make a good base for lots of things, bolognese, veg pasta, even pizza topping!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Really impressed with the nutritional content and long life nature of the products. The packaging looks great but could be cut down if it increases the cost.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

My LO absolutely loved the baked beans and it was nice to be able to get a healthier low sugar and salt option with bonus veg. She ate the entire packet despite being only 1! So very convenient portion size.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes as its a great option to keep in the cupboard for a quick but nutritious lunch or tea.

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

Yes, I'll be telling my friends will toddlers about them as they are so handy to keep in the cupboard.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! In the future I would use the beans in a shepherds pie

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Really like the concept of healthy storage covered favourites. The packaging was good, attractive to DC and easy to store, but I would have preferred a resealable package. (My DC are not big eaters and these were large portions.)

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops! Hands down. Then the baked beans. They quite liked the soup, but found the macaroni too sloppy.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, but only the hoops and beans - there's a really clear concept there, of nutritious storecupboard favourites. We didn't like the mac and cheese and I can do a pretty good version of the soup quickly, easily and cheaply with the help of a food processor.

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

Yes, especially those with picky eaters who have a preference for highly processed food! You might take on things like fish fingers, sausages/ sausage rolls and chicken nuggets in the future!

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

No, quick and easy is the point with these! If I'm making a proper meal, I may as well do it from scratch.

*ugh, store cupboard favourites, not storage covered!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? I thought they were great so easy and convenient
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? Baked beans
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? I would if they werent too expensive as they are convenient, she likes them and I know they are good for her.
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? I would if not too expensive.
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! No but I would add extra pasta to the macaroni cheese as quite sloppy in texture.

I do have a pic of little one enjoying it but it will not let me upload it for some reason! But thanks to mums net and little dish for letting us try these lovely products!

Hey

On receiving the package my little one couldn't wait to see what was in the box. His first words were WOW and was very eager to try one for his lunch .
The overall impression was very impressive as it caught my toddlers attention straight away.
The first one we tried was the Macaroni cheese which he loved and ate every bit. This was his fave most defintley.
I would maybe buy them again depending on the price of the range.
I would defo recommend to my friends especially if they had fussy eaters.
The only thing I thought of was adding some ham and mushroom to the macaroni cheese to bulk it out a bit.

- What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
The packaging was visually appealing and all the ingredients where listed clearly which I feel is important. The packages are not to bulky so are easy to store. However, the recommended heating time of 30 seconds did not sufficiently warm the meals. My toddler tends to only eat food at a lukewarm temperature but 30 seconds really wasn't long enough. The sauce in the baked beans and spaghetti hoops was a nice consistency, however the macaroni cheese sauce was far too runny.

- Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
Tie between the baked beans and spaghetti hoops, loved them and couldn't seem to get enough. However he really disliked the macaroni cheese and just refused to eat it after tasting it.

- Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
I would buy them again but this would depend upon the price range.

- Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
Depending on the price range I would recommend them as they are nutritious, tasty and convenient. However I would not recommend the macaroni cheese.

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
They're great, I like that it's no added salt or sugar and hidden veg!

Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
Baked beans, she loved them.

Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
I'd buy the beans and spaghetti hoops again. Both my children really enjoyed them. I think they're all handy to keep in the cupboard for lazy dinners though! For me it really would depend on the price though.

Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
I would as they're quick and easy to prepare and they're tasty.

Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
I didn't do anything with them (just heated them up and served them) because they're quick.

1. I like the packaging as you can see what the food looks like and it is convenient.

1. the little dish beans

1. Would you buy them again - No I think they are overpriced

1. Just adding them to some toast or a little baked potato

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
Looked like the packaging cost more than the product. The tester box with apron and presentation was a nice touch rather than just sending the product.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? Hoops, is was the only one he ate more than half us and my boy is not a fussy eater far from. He tried one mouthful of the macaroni cheese and walked round for an hour wiping inside his mouth with a baby wipe 😂. After I tried the brand I sympathise.
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? No. I feel like now I've seen the packaging this product is probably going to be over priced. Basic meals like this should be costing less than a pound so will be interesting to see what it's priced at. Overall though my child just did not like them.
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

I thought the packaging made the cooking process simpler but other than thatI don't really have anything to say about the product. I also wouldn't not recommend them. It's just not to my child's taste.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them... no

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? Nicely packaged, tasty and healthy.
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? The beans.
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Maybe, price depending. Not the Mac and Cheese though, he hated that!
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Again it would be price dependant. One thing that puts me off slightly is that you can't separate the portions. My boy doesn't eat much in one go so microwaving the whole pouch doesn't work for me.
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! I added veg to the mac and cheese and some wedges with the beans.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Liked that it wasn't overpackaged and that the ingredients were clear. Easy to store with a long shelf life.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

My son really liked the beans/hoops. We also tried them and really liked them.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes - the beans and hoops depending on price. Possibly the macaroni cheese but the cheese sauce was a bit runny so he found it difficult to eat it.

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

Yes - definitely the beans and the hoops as being no sugar. Good for a quick lunch or dinner as was so easy to heat in the microwave.

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

My son can't really eat soup yet and prefers things he can eat himself with his hands or fork. So I used the tomato soup as a pasta sauce and added some frozen veg as well and he did eat it.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I loved the look of them. We already buy the fresh toddler meals regularly so would recognise these as being Little Dish as the branding ties in well. But our daughter don't enjoy them. She picked at the beans and hoops but refused to eat the macaroni cheese and tomato soup after the first taste.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The beans were probably her favourite from the 4 dishes. But she only picked at it, usually she loves baked beans.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I wouldn't because our daughter didn't enjoy them.

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

I would probably suggest trying them as all children have different tastes and I really love the idea of them.

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

I think a thai chicken curry or a tagine would be lovely. Something with a very delicate, fragrant spice

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? Awesome! I thought the whole idea of having store cupboard essentials that were low in salt and sugar was really great.
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? Beans, beans, beans. He luff's them!😁
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Definitely. Whilst I generally give my little boy the same food as us, it's great to be able to give him beans or spaghetti hoops without having to worry about the salt and sugar content. He's super happy and I don't feel like a bad mummy!
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? I definitely would. The salt content of foods really bothers me when it comes to food for my little boy so these are great. So quick too! I used one packet for a night when my husband was out. Made my life nice and easy!
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! I added broccoli to the macaroni. Made it even better!