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?

We loved all of them!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Close call, but I think spaghetti hoops just won!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I'd buy all of them again. My son loved them and I was pleased with low salt and sugar.

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

I'd recommend them as a quick and easy meal or accompaniment which kids love!

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

We added more pasta to the mac and cheese then abut of ham and topped with more cheese before a quick blast in the oven. Kids couldn't clear their plates fast enough!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Looked great and kids excited to try them. Like the packaging and they were appealing. Unfortunately kids weren't so impressed with eating them!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spag hoops

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Probably not as kids weren't keen.

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

Yes, definitely worth a try. Like how healthy they are and how easy.

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

Just mix with a bit of rice or cous cous.

Overall impressions-
Liked the packaging, easy to store and easy to recycle.
Favourite recipe- he enjoyed the soup and ate the macaroni cheese (although it was very messy as it's quite runny)
He enjoyed the beans and hoops and I would probably buy them again for quick lunches/suppers. I worry about the additional salt in other brands so I like these healthy alternatives.

Yes I would recommend to others, I already buy some of the little dish products and they are quick and easy after work when it's a rush and if what the rest of the family are eating isn't suitable.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked them. Look much better than a tin of beans/hoops

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The macaroni cheese, closely followed by the soup. I wouldn't rush to give him soup though as it requires a full change of clothes even with a coverall.

My toddler likes all the meals but I also had a 5 year old who didn't like any of them.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Possibly depending on price

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

Yes they are a brilliant idea

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

The Beans were enjoyed with cheese on toast

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
I loved the packaging and the meals were nice but far too much sauce in the beans, hoops and macaroni.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Macaroni cheese

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Might do but only the soup and macaroni.

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

Yes as they are nutritious and extremely quick to prep.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked the packaging, I prefer this to tins as the information is generally easier to read on the packages. I liked that there was a little 'window' to see the food

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Mac Cheese

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I'm not sure I would buy them regularly, but perhaps once in a while to keep in the cupboard or at Grandparents house. I found the beans and hoops to be quite sloppy, almost as it the sauce needed thickening a little. The soup was a big hit, but the portion size was quite large for my one year old.

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

Yes as an easily portable food-easy to transport/less bulky than tins, easy to heat up in a microwave

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

The Soup makes a good base for a bolognese sauce for pasta or even lasagne.

Little eats Mumsnet survey

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked the packaging, although the design is a bit 'generic expensive toddler snack' although I liked being able to see what was inside. The apron is gorgeous. My son really enjoyed the Little Dish flavours, but found them to have a bit too much sauce. They were great with bread or potatoes to soak up excess. Overall, they were tasty, convenient and nutritious, we loved them!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The baked beans. He won't eat any other brand, but once he tried these, he loved them!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I would buy the beans and spaghetti again but not the others. He prefers to eat with a fork than a spoon, so the macaroni cheese was a bit too runny. It would very much depend on price, I find most prepackaged toddler food too expensive.

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

Yes. They are handy to transport and make a fantastic nutritious side dish. Wouldn't recommend as a main meal though.

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

The beans were great with mashed potatoes to bulk them out. We also added extra macaroni and shredded ham to the mac and cheese to make a great main meal.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Liked the packaging as you can see the contents very much like the chilled ready meals so can identify the brand as previous posters have mentioned the are quite saucy but I found they thicken up after heating

• What was your DC's favourite recipe?

Tough one it was a close run between the beans and hoops but the beans won (I preferred the hoops!)

• Would you buy Little dish classics again? Why?

Yes easy to keep in the cupboard for a quick tea - any of them with some toast or bread to dip

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

Yep healthy food easy to keep in the cupboard no fuss to heat up

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

The beans or even the tomato soup can easily be added to a pasta bake especially as you know there is extra veg in the sauce!

Forgot the picture of him enjoying the soup

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I really liked them. I liked the packaging as it's slim and easy to store in the cupboard. Love the fact that they are low in sugar and salt with veggies packed in.
Really liked the idea of doing classics such as baked beans as these are a great quick fix for busy lives after work etc when you don't have time to cook a full meal. They are quick, healthy and filling.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Mac and cheese but with added pasta as it was a bit too wet and saucy for her without. She likes to stab the food herself so found the small, soggy macaroni a bit difficult. She also has a big appetite so preferred a but of penne added in.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Yes, definitely. Quick, easy and I know she would eat most of them without kicking up a fuss.

Wouldn't but the soup though as she refused to eat it. She isn't a soup eater though! I thought it tasted lovely.

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

Yes, for all.above reasons. Quick, reasonably nutritious and lots of firm kiddu favourites!

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

Wish I had used the soup as a pasta sauce as in sure she would have eaten that.
Would.sprinkle some cheese over the beans and serve with a baked potato.
Add extra veggies and pasta to the mac n cheese.

I thought the packaging looked good and it was quick and easy to prepare the food. I had high hopes that both my boys would like the dishes but they really weren't fussed at all, they've never liked ready meal style food and this unfortunately was no different. I thought the macaroni cheese was a bit too runny but the beans were a good consistency and smelled nice. If my boys had liked them I would consider buying depending on how expensive they would be however given that they didn't eat much of them I'd have to say I wouldn't buy them.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Both me and my little girl liked it. I liked the packaging as you can easily see what's inside and it's very easy to open. At first I thought that portion sizes are too small, but after adding few more ingredients I had a full meal for my toddler. My daughter liked the animals at the packaging, she could say who 'cooked' a meal for her ;)

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

To my surprise, my little one said - baked beans.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I would. It's healthy and allows me to create different meals every time.

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

I would, it's a good solution when you need a quick meal for your toddler and you know it's healthy.

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

I've added meat balls and a bit of cooked rice to tomato soup and a bit of chopped fresh green parsley. It was delicious.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I really liked the look of the packaging and the extra veg included. Although i did find due to style of packaging they did not store very neatly in the cupboard , if you stand them they keep falling over and if you stack them they slide about.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

My 23 month old son liked the tomato soup the best, he ate the soup with an onion baggette which teamed really well with the soup.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I think I will buy the soup again as he really enjoyed it and it's always handy for a quick easy meal.. i found the other products had too much sauce and were quite sloppy, so I was putting them in a collander to drain juice before serving, which seems silly and wasteful

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

I would recommend them for convenience and quickness, also very handy for when visiting other people's houses.

Thank you mumsnet for selecting is to test little dish meals. It was a lovely surprise to receive the parcel and the cute apron!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I really liked receiving the box, very well presented! The packages themselves were eye catching- made a change from jars, or pouches. Looked good for using at home as a quick fix meal.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? DS really liked the soup and spaghetti hoops.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Depends on the price. Also, they were all a a bit too "saucy" - with our usual brand of hoops I usually leave only a small amount of sauce on but as these contained extra veg, I thought I'd best give the sauce too!

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

Not sure. I like the idea of hidden veg but I wasn't blown away by these products, sorry.

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

My children like scrambled egg with hoops on toast! Not really a recipe just a serving suggestion!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I really liked the fact they could be stored in the cupboard rather than the fridge and loved how they only needed 30seconds in the microwave! Lovely packaging.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The macaroni was definitely his favourite although the beans and hoops were well received too.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes. We don't use ready meals often but these are perfect for those times you need something fast. Depending on price I'd either keep a couple/stash in the cupboard.

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

Yes I'd recommend based on the recipes and the ease.

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

No but we did share the macaroni with 3yr old too and mixed it with other pasta so it stretched and he really enjoyed it too. Thanks for the opportunity to test these

Great presentation, we loved getting these and the apron too. Loved the fact they could be stored in the cupboard, and much appreciated that they were a slightly healthier alternative to mainstream ready meals. Liked the idea of hidden veg.
Overall, ideal for a quick fix meal and they were very well received by DC (14 months), he especially enjoyed the hoops. We didn't do anything fancy with them, but I think I will follow the example of other posters and use the soup as part of a pasta sauce, that sounds like a great idea.
I would definitely buy again depending on price, as they're a good shortcut which doesn't make you feel too guilty!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Looked good, liked the packaging and the little apron - thanks! I was a bit confused to see spaghetti and beans because I'm used to buying full meals rather than ones that need bits adding... so theyre not so good for out and about. I thought they were all really too saucy and wet but my LO ate all the Mac and cheese! I don't like to give him soup as it's so messy but he enjoyed that too

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Macaroni and cheese - empty bowl

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

No, unfortunately not. I really wanted to like it, I loved the idea of the low salt and sugar etc but my LO didn't like the beans and the spaghetti hoops and I didn't like how sloppy they all were. He's a hungry boy so I prefer the ones that seem more like a whole meal in one tray - when I'm going for convenience I want it to be super convenient and I use ready made foods for out and about a lot too! I'd rather just buy cheap tinned beans or hoops and share them

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

As above unfortunately not I do love the idea though so maybe some more pasta in the Mac and cheese and some more filling recipes like risotto or sausage casserole with mash

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

I didn't think of any at the time but like some of the other ideas on this thread

Sorry, forgot these!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Very positive. The packaging was nice. The meals were quick and easy to make. The apron was a lovely added extra!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The spaghetti hoops were a firm favourite. However they're not really a meal so needed something with them. I used them for 2 children at 1 meal.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, they're handy for taking to people's houses, etc.

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

I would recommend them (subject to price) they're easy, tasty and healthy.

• 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?

I liked the packaging. It was eye catching and the ingredients list was very clear.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Unfortunately, we didn't really enjoy them. My DS had a few mouthful of the beans and the macaroni cheese (usually some of his favourites), but not much. I found the macaroni very soft and overcooked and the sauce was very sweet.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Probably not I'm afraid, because my DS didn't enjoy them.

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

Again, probably not.

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

We had the beans with scrambled eggs and soldiers and I added peas and sweet corn to the pasta.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

My DS really enjoyed the classic recipes so a positive impression all round.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

got to be the macaroni cheese she ate it all up pretty quickly

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

yes definitely, light packaging, easy to warm up and can be done in the pouch saving mess while out and the fact it's not in tins is so much easier, easy to fold and fridge if not all needed.

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

similar reasons as above but great taste and healthy recipes, rare i taste baby/toddler food and think it tastes nice but these really did without being too sweet or lacking flavour which is why i will definitely talk about them to my mummy friends.

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

the beans and spaghetti went really well with sausages, potatoes and toast for breakfast or lunch and was a healthier alternative to say ketchup which I avoid giving but these dishes allow my DS to dip into a tasty healthy sauce albeit a bit messy ;)

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked the packaging very eye catching and appeals to children also its really easy to read ingredients list. The only thing I would worry about it is that is the packaging strong enough not to explode in your shopping bags if it fall under heavy items.
I also loved the fact they suitable for vegetarians and were the staples which most house have anyway so the "classics" would be familiar to the child.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The spaghetti hoops were a surprise to me as my daughter 18 months doesn't eat the usual canned one but she happily ate the Little Dish ones also the bonus of no added sugar.
This was the first time she had macaroni cheese and she ate it without any fuss so thumbs up from from mum and baby!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes. I don't normally use ready meals but these are good when you need something quick for lunch. It depends on the price but i would buy the beans, spaghetti hoops and the macaroni as my children did not like the tomato soup.

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

I would recommend them as they are made without any nasty extras and using fresh healthy ingredients.

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

As my DD doesn't eat tomato soup I added the packet of soup to one of the family pasta with extra vegetables.

Overall impression
I liked the look of the design and the simple ingredients list on the back. I liked the fact it was minimal packaging and the cardboard sleeve can be recycled. I also liked the fact they were easy to heat up - just pop in the microwave and away you go, saving a bit of washing up. Although as someone else mentioned, I found the heating times really odd and following the instructions only got it to barely tepid so I upped the cooking time.

Favourite recipe
I'm afraid that DD didn't really take to any of them. I suspect it was the colour of the mac cheese one that got her there as I've never tried her on something like that before. That said, I thought it was rather lacking in cheese flavour myself. I was very excited about the baked beans as she does eat those generally and even buying the low salt and sugar versions I feel a bit guilty and would love her to like a healthier alternative. She did try a couple of mouthfuls but not much more. The texture is very different and obviously the taste too and she wouldn't be fooled. She did try the hoops but again not much more than a couple of mouthfuls. The soup was probably the favourite as far as one went. It was certainly the one I enjoyed finishing off most too! I should perhaps point out that DD has never really taken to prepared meals (or much I cook either to be fair) so I don't think the above is necessarily a representative view of things.

Buy again?
I love the idea and I so wanted DD to like them. God knows I could do with something like them up my sleeve for the days when energy and time is low (all the time as a mum of two under two...) but as it was they weren't a hit so I can't see me buying them in the immediate future.

Recommend?
I would certainly tell others about them and the fact that they are so healthy and with hidden veg.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

On the whole, very positive. Nicely packaged and I like the fact that something quick and convenient can also be healthy and nutritious.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The spaghetti hoops and baked beans were definitely a joint favourite, they were both gobbled up very quickly. The macaroni cheese wasn't a hit. It was too saucy and a little bland. The tomato soup was nice but my DD struggled to eat it by herself and she's at the age when she doesn't want to be helped!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Depending on the price, I would definitely buy the baked beans and spaghetti hoops again. They were tasty and would be handy to have in the cupboard for a quick and easy lunch or as part of a dinner.

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

Yes. It's great to have ready meals that a tasty and healthy and I love the fact they have extra veg blended in.

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

My DD's favourite meal is bolognaise and the tomato soup would make an ideal sauce for that.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Nice packaging with clear list of ingredients. Nice to have extra veg in the sauces. Love the apron too!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops - he hadn't had any of these before but loved them. Baked beans & soup went down well too, but he wasn't keen on the cheesy pasta (I tasted it too and it was a very strong flavour which I didn't really like either)

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Depending on price, might buy the hoops or beans as a quick lunch. Probably wouldn't buy soup as can make that easily myself knowing what goes into it.

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

Yes as they are convenient and nutritious.

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

We served with bread/toast as they were all quite wet/saucy so needed something extra to mop it all up.