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?

At first I thought "who the hell gives soup to a toddler" but it was such a hit. I'm a convert! My overall impression is that they are great, we love them. They can be given on their own with minimal prep and other side foods. Packaging is very eye catching and I didn't have a problem with it. I saw other people mentioned packaging issues but I work in a supermarket and this packing would be easier to put out than other products we have. My son doesn't have a huge appetite so I can actually get two meals out of one packet.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Probably the soup in the end, although he loved all of them. I've tried him with pasta so many times and he's always refused it. He wolfed down the macaroni cheese and the spaghetti hoops. He'd never had beans before as I never thought to give them to him but when these are released in shops I would definitely buy them for him.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes. They're easy to have on hand and have a long life on them. I'd rather have these to hand than other brand long life tray meals currently on offer. It's the only pasta he will eat and he loved the soup. I get peace of mind knowing he's eating something nutritious that he enjoys, and it's not full of crap.

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

I would definitely recommend to friends and family for all the reasons above. Healthy. Tasty. Easy prep. Easy to include with other foods.

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

We had half the soup with toast spread with soft cheese. The other half had broccoli mixed in.
We had beans with cheese and mashed potato mixed up.
Macaroni I put in a ceramic dish with chopped up tomatoes and peas. Topped with breadcrumbs and under the grill to warm/brown. Lovely!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
Didn't really go down well with my twins. They don't really like saucy foods! I must say though I quite liked the beans and I HATE baked beans!!! I liked the outer packaging but found the bag a bit floppy after microwaving. I spilled half the beans!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Macaroni cheese

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

No as mentioned, they didn't like them!

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

I certainly will. Although we didn't like them i know my nephew will and some of my friends children too! And the less salt/sugar is great.

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

No! But I'm liking the ideas up post!

Thanks little dish. We love your range of snacks and really wanted to like these too! Love the apron!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
• My overall impression was that this is a fantastic way to eat mainstream products, but in a way that is healthy and better for the kiddies.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
• My son was a huge fan of the soup

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
• Yes, I would certainly buy again. Why? Because I really like the thought and care that has gone into these products, I couldn't (wouldn't) make these myself and they are the next best thing.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
• I would have no hesitation in recommending any of the meals. Everyone has minor crisis about doing the very best and the meals are a perfect way to cheat and not sweat about it

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
• I'm afraid not, I would very much like to in the future but at present we just tried them out as is.

In short, a delicious and quick alternative to home made. I felt no guilt in serving up this food to my son and will do so again. The packaging was very understated, but I like that. The ingredients list was the best, easy to understand. The apron was a very nice surprise. My son loves it 😊 thank you for the opportunity to test these lovely products. What a treat!!

(Sorry, am unable to provide photo)

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
I liked the packaging even though I know it is kind of taking me for a ride with the all natural brown cardboard look - like it is deliberately trying to tick my leftie liberal organic boxes (which it does). That didn;t make it appealing to my little one though who loves the colours of Ellas and picking out his favourite to take with us when we go out, though I use them as snacks rather than meals. These felt grown up/classy enough that I could take one with me if we were going to a friend's for dinner and know I wouldn't be judged for having a ship bought meal if I wanted to give it to my lo when there whereas even though heinz beans are essentially the same product (esp as we but the low salt and sugar ones) I would feel embarrassed just turning up with a tin of that in my bag for the baby.

Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
DC liked the means and spaghetti hoops - both familiar foods in out house and they don't seem to mind about brands (these are often served alongside main meals, or on toast as supper, to my older kids when we need something quick). My lo doesn't like cheese (weird, I know!) but his bigger sister enjoyed the mac and cheese. The soup didn't work for us as mostly ended up on his hands and face and hair and not in his tummy.

Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
Yes for the reasons outlined above about taking them out with me but not for everyday use at home. But my lo has older siblings so is used to having what they have and I don't really worry about the salt and sugar content of heinz products as it;s not as if they are also eating crisps for breakfast.

Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
I am not sure it would come up.

Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
I would def add pasta to the tomato soup to make it a heartier meal. And my bigger kids love peas so I would add them to the mac cheese.

Thanks for letting us try these. We enjoyed them

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Very appealing packaging, handy portion sizes and great store cupboard staples for hungry little ones.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

They loved both the macaroni and the hoops.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Definitely would have them in for emergencies. A great alternative to the high sugar and salt options already available.

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

I would, again as an alternative to what's already on offer. Price dependant obviously.

l

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Nice recipe ideas and really helpful to have in the cupboard. However they were too 'wet' - far too much sauce which meant DS couldn't feed himself.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Beans were by far and away the most popular

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes because they are handy to have in the cupboard for emergencies. I'd drain the sauce off though.

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

Yes, it's good to find beans and hoops without loads of sugar and salt in

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

Added more pasta to the macaroni cheese and grated cheese into the hoops to make them a bit thicker.

What was your overall impression of little dish?
We have used products from this company before, mainly fresh meals from the chilled section. I love the ethos of the company using fresh ingredients, well packaged and pleasing to both the eye and palette.

Which was your DC favourite recipe?

My 16 month old daughter throughly enjoyed the cheese pasta. As previous posters have noted the sauce was slightly excessive, making it harder for her to eat. Less sauce and slightly more pasta would elivate that issue.

Would you recommend little dish classics to friends and family?

Without knowing the price it is hard to say. I do use little dish fresh meals at least once to twice a week and feel they are good value for money and find the quality to be very high.

Have you thought of any of your own recipes that incorporate little dish classics?

We did use the leftover beans and mixed it into a homemade cottage pie.

Thank you for allowing us to test your new products little dish. We love your snacks

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I think the packaging is very appealing and it's great to see a clear, concise list of ingredients. Pippa loved the taste of all, but had trouble eating the soup! Maybe a tiny bit too much product for one meal - but reassuring to know that they can be kept in the fridge for 24hrs!

Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The spaghetti hoops - see attached photo!

Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes! They're so handy and nutritious.

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

Yes, I've a couple of friends who are nurses like me. It's sometimes hard to ensure that all meals are freshly prepared but these are lifesavers for those days when shopping isn't feasible!

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

No, but I was considering adding some protein through the mac & cheese (and perhaps top with breadcrumbs) and make a tiny pasta bake!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

High quality, thoughtfully made, would definitely stand out on a shelf.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Macaroni cheese! The flavour is spot on. Will definitely buy more of it.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Will buy the products because of the quality and variety, little one really enjoyed them.

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

Will recommend the products,because they consistently deliver high quality and taste great.

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

n/a

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

My DC loved Little Dish Classics. It saves me time because I do not need to cook her every day and the ingredients are healthy and tasty.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

She loved baked beans.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, of course, because even picky toddlers eat Little Dish Classics.

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

Yes, because these meals are tasty and nutritious.

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

I used to cook rice with veggies and chicken breast.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

A great change to the salt and sugar-laden recipes that are adorning the shelves. The Little Dish recipes were appetising. My little boy managed to get a couple of meals from each recipe so the portions are of a good size too. My 2 year old isn't a big eater, however, so that may have been the reason for the meals stretching for us.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

My 2 year old loved the baked beans recipe. Baked beans and spaghetti hoops are actually two things he never normally touches and he ate both of them without a problem, which is a massive success in our eyes.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I think we would buy the baked beans and spaghetti hoops ones. My little boy really didn't like the macaroni cheese one. We're a family who loves cheese and I don't think he found it cheesy enough. I had a taste and it did taste a tiny bit bland to me, but again I'm a big lover of cheese. My little boy ate the tomato soup one but with alot of encouragement and he didn't finish it.

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

I would definitely recommend the baked beans and spaghetti hoops recipes as they are great to incorporate into many things. The macaroni cheese I'm not sure I could recommend, purely because both my little boy and I didn't like it, but that's not to say that other consumers children won't like it either.

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

We used the baked beans in a cheese and beans melt in the sandwich toaster. It was a bit messy but the end result was delicious and was definitely a hit in my 2 year old's eyes.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

The packaging was attractive. The nutritional benefits were good

Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
Sadly they didn't really go down well with my two. The 20 month old ate more and ate the beans, spaghetti hoops and the sauce from the mac cheese. The 4 year old said the beans 'weren't good', ate the hoops and resolutely refused to countenance the mac cheese.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Probably not I don’t think they liked them enough.

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

Maybe if they hadn't already introduced their DC to regular beans and hoops.

• 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?

Nicer packaging than if they were on a tin but perhaps over packaged from a environmental point of view.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The beans

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, mostly the beans. Tasty, healthy alternative.

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

I would recommend all but the macaroni cheese, the others are a good low sugar/low salt alternative. The macaroni cheese was not enjoyed by my children, it also had a strange texture /smell, finally it stained my child's clothes !!!

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

I would use the beans in a mild chilli for the family

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
Deceptively clever meals for kids that contain loads of healthy ingredients. Wholesome and tasty

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The spaghetti hoops. My daughter kept shouting for us to feed them to her faster!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes. Convenient and healthy.

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

Yes. See above.

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

Not yet but now you mention it, I'm going to think about using the little dish classic as an ingredient in a recipe.

What was your overall impression?
Good selection, nice packaging and very convenient with good shelf life. A little saucy but that did not put off DS (20 months)

Favourite recipe
Tomato soup - DS loves soup

Would you buy again and why?
Yes, an excellent meal for days when we need a meal in a hurry or for days grandparents are looking after DS.

Would you recommend to friends and family?
Yes, tasty, healthy and convenient

Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate Little Dish?
We used the beans in a mild chili con carne instead of kidney beans

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
The packaging was compact and appealing with clearly labelled ingredients. The food seemed quite similar with most of the packs we received being tomato based.

Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
My toddler wasn't keen on any of them. He normally likes soup and I've made a variety of different types at home, but he didn't like the tomato soup at all.

Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
It's unlikely since my toddler didn't like the vegetable ones we got to try.

Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
No, it'd be simpler to cook one's regular food with less salt.

Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
Beans and mash with tuna mayo is a staple in our house; my son tolerated the baked beans in there - though in a lesser quantity than I normally add.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Attractive packaging which could be partially recycled. Clear ingredients list and product information. Unfortunately, they all contained way too much sauce (in my opinion) and were extremely runny and therefore difficult for my one year old to eat. Even my 4 year old made a huge mess as the sauce ran and splashed everywhere! Neither of my children ate more than a few mouthfuls of any of them, I tasted them and found them very bland with an odd after taste. It's a shame as both kids love the Little Dish pots and pies as wolf them down!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

None of them really. I was able to eat the beans on some toast with lots of cheese sprinkled on (to give them some flavour) so that they didn't go to waste though.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Honestly, no, sorry. We will stick to the pots and pie, as well as the snack range as my children enjoy them and did not enjoy the classics range.

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

I flag them up to people who were looking for alternatives or who had recently started weaning but would also be honest about the fact that my children didn't enjoy them.

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

I tried adding peas to the macaroni cheese when I realised they weren't enjoying it. This is something they usually enjoy and my 4 year old calls it cheesy peasy pasta.

Thank you for our parcel, my daughter was really taken with the apron. I'm sorry the classics weren't a hit here.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Very appealing especially for travel. Seemed to be easy to use and reheat. The main advantage is they don't occupy much space but on the flip side are a bit too runny so make a mess if feeding on the go.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The cheesy pasta

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, if travelling I would definitely pack these for hotel room meals. They have a small profile

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

Would recommend as a quick and easy meal on the go. But these would need supplementing with something to make them less runny

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

Adding some herbs to the cheesy pasta to make it even more flavourful

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I was surprised at the packaging as I have bought from the chilled section and was expecting similar. However the packaging was neat and could be stored easily in the cupboard.
I liked the recipes selected and all are favourites.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

He enjoyed the mac and cheese the best. This was demolished in minutes and I barely had time to get my camera out.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I would buy again, they are convenient, quick to prepare when little one is having a meltdown and I am reassured with the ingredients and nutritional value.

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

I would and I have.

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

The packaging was very nicely designed. Looked appealing and we were excited to open and use the samples soon as they arrived.
My little one enjoyed eating macaroni cheese and the soup. She didn't enjoy the beans or spaghetti hoops but that is just her preference.
I would recommend this to other mothers as I was happy with the ingredients, the contents and overall it's a good healthy meal.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked the range of flavours - beans, soup and hoops are good fallback meals in our house; mac & cheese is a new one for us.

We've tried the beans, hoops and macaroni so far - hoops and macaroni were both well received, but DD (14 months) wasn't so keen on the beans. She's teething at the moment so I don't know if that was part of it. I thought the ratio of sauce to filling could have been a bit better, they seemed quite runny, but DD liked them, which is an achievement as she's going through a fussy phase!

The packaging was fine, and I liked that they have a long shelf life and are quick to heat.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Hoops (served with toast)

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

If the price was right I’d probably buy a couple of packets to keep in the cupboard for days when I can’t cook from scratch - I liked that there was no added salt unlike normal canned beans, it’s a smaller portion (so no waste) and it’s not going to get eaten by anyone else in the house!

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

Probably - it’s good to have a few long-life easy meals on hand, they’re healthy and DD liked them.

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

Ravioli, beans and sausages or a mild chili would be good - better quality versions of the tinned staples of my childhood!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? I thought the packaging was disappointing - they look like sick bags when you take the cardboard off. I like the fact they're easy to store because they're flat packed but they weren't visually appealing. The food inside looked dull and lacking in colour. It didn't make me want to even try them.

The food when we did try was everything it said on the package and lived up to that, however my son is quite adventurous with his tastes and likes bright colours and flavours, so could have used things to make the dishes more visually appealing and tastier. When I tried it, I found it very bland, but I appreciate that I'm an adult with different tastes. Perhaps they could try some mild spices...?

I also found that the heating up instructions were not long enough. The food was barely even warm.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? Not really any of them.
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? No - they are not visually attactive.
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? I like the fact that they are low salt etc so if someone was looking for that it's a good idea but unless there was an improvement in the flavour I wouldn't bother.
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! Add some herbs - make the tomato soup with some basil in it, add a dash of spice to the baked beans, put some tomatoes/tuna in the macaroni cheese and make it a pasta bake instead...

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? Packaging was lovely and the overall impression of the products was lovely and quite natural, sadly they didnt go down as well with the kids as they did with me

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

My favourite was the tomato soup which i loved the taste of and that DS was happy to wolf down ...

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? I would buy the soup perhaps from when we were out and about but my little ones werent keen on the other ones. I thought the macaroni was quite runny (and it could also be that my little one is more keen on thijustngs in his hands but I couldnt get him to get any of the macaroni or hoops though these are things that he has tried before

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

i think that they look great and definitely hit the healthy brief so that is fab, I just have fussy children! I would recomend the beans and hoops to folk (also those on baby food diet might love them)

I particularly thought the beans were lovely and tasted real so I would recomend them for sure

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

NOthing in particular (but I can always get my kids to eat lentil soup so that is my fail safe) but how about more finger or hand held food which was similarly made with natural ingredients, that would certainly work better i think for my two. Good luck and thanks xxx

My little 22month old and i were excited to do some taste tests for little dish. Thanks for the apron too!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Liked the packaging, easy to store and take out if needed. Good cupboard item if you are stuck for something quick. Nice slim packaging. Simple ingredients list was great. Tomato sauce didn't stain like some can.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops and the soup. Never has soup before so an unknown but she loved it. Spaghetti and beans gave us 2 portions as a side with lunch.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again?

I would buy all bar the macaroni cheese. Sauce very thin and funny aftertaste. Little one normally loves anything cheesy so was a shame.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives?

Yes, good hidden veg listing and easy to use.

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

I would probably use the soup as a base for a sauce as others have mentioned.

Also found I needed to heat it longer than the 30secs advised.

Overall impression: nice packaging and I liked the fact that they would be easy to transport if, say, going away for the weekend.

DC's favourite: the beans. He wouldn't eat the soup - it was quite bland - or the macaroni cheese - I think this was due to the runny texture?

Would I buy again: no. He seems to enjoy meals (e.g. Spaghetti
Bol) rather than individual items such as these.
Would I recommend: I would the beans due to salt and sugar content.

Other recipes: I'd echo what a precious person has said re using the tomato soup as a sauce base.