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?

I was impressed with the look and packaging. The colouring and imaging was lovely and they didn't look cheap & nasty like some food aimed at children.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The soup! My 3 year old normally only eats homemade soup but he gobbled up the tomato soup. My 20 month old tried it but isn't a big fan of "wet food" so we didn't have much luck.

The macaroni cheese was far too wet and tasted a bit like packet vegetable soup. That was the least popular of the options.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, very handy for last minute meals. We also travel a lot and they would be very handy to have a meal with us for arrival at destinations.

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

Yes, I would. I was impressed with the quality.

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

I would use the tomato soup as a base for pasta sauces for sure.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I like knowing that's there's added veg in them. I split each packet I was given between my twins to get more of a clear picture of how they are received and both seemed to enjoy them all. I did find that emptying the packet was a bit messy though. The contents didn't always pour out the pack easily (especially the beans) so then I had to try and spoon them out and got the spoon covered in sauce etc. That really was the only issue I came across though!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

They really enjoyed the Macaroni cheese, I don't tend to buy/make it for them so it was a nice change. That said, the beans and hoops got eaten before anything else on the plate too so definitely a hit!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Assuming they weren't priced too high, I would certainly buy the macaroni cheese and hoops. We tend to get tins of soup and beans in for the whole family so I'd be less likely to buy those. If I had vouchers for them I'd definitely pick some up though.

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

I'd certainly let them know about them if the conversation came up. I have relatives who are quite health conscious with their little ones so I think the products would be right up their street.

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

Not sure if it counts as incorporating, but when I saw the macaroni cheese I decided to do the family an "American Night" tea and served it sweet potato, home made southern fried chicken and sweet corn & peas. Went down a treat!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I loved the packaging, easy to store and heat up. Great to have the added veg but the biggest thing for me was the flavour and that wasn't great. The macaroni cheese tasted of nothing and then a hit of mustard. The beans and spaghetti hoops had a similar lack of flavour so I was overall disappointed.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Unfortunately he didn't like any. He put a piece of the macaroni cheese in his mouth said yuk and spat out the macaroni. He wouldn't try the beans or spaghetti hoops and I haven't tried the soup yet.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

No I wouldn't as my da wouldn't eat them.

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

I think for convenience they're great so it would depend on the tastes of a friends child if I would recommend.

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

Sorry I didn't use in other recipes, although I have a sausage casserole recipe you could use the beans in. No photos as he didn't actually eat any, sorry!

My overall impression was great, the packaging is lovely!!
The food looked nice.
My little girl loved it all except for the soup! But then I haven't really given her much soup in the past so it was a new experience all round.
Her favourite was the macoroni cheese.
I would definitely recommend to my friends and I will purchase some of these dishes in the future.

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
I like the packaging. It stood out from the usual food products that we buy and was very clear to what ingredients are in them. If I saw the packaging on a shelf I'd be drawn to them.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The baked beans. She had them with toast soldiers and ate them all. Not even the dogs got their usual share!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes. Very convenient, for a quick and easy meal.

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

Yes. For the reason above and the fact that the beans had no added sugar.

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

My daughter loves Bolognese so that would be an obvious choice for us!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Seems like a great idea and very convenient for me as a mum. Kids found them a little bland however and refused to eat the soup, macaroni and beans. Hoops were the only one they liked. Packaging was lovely and the pouches were so handy especially as they are microwaveable and they tear open rather than needing scissors.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

They liked the spaghetti hoops best

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Maybe the spaghetti hoops but probably not the others we tried. My children didn't enjoy the taste and they're not normally fussy.

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

Yes for convenience if you were travelling etc and did t want to keep chilled food with you.

Overall impression of Classics?

Packaging v sweetly illustrated - reminded me of those books with Humphrey elephant on. Stacked upright neatly in cupboard. Overall was a bit disappointed by product as just not that tasty. Think I (and baby!) prefer whole meals like casseroles, spag bol, chilli etc.

DC's Favourite recipe?

He quite liked the beans though spat every mouthful out after chewing for a while! Think he preferred taste to texture. I thought they tasted so-so. He liked the macaroni cheese best but I added extra veg as so much sauce. He ate that all. Soup and spaghetti hoops he played around with more than ate.

Would you buy again?

Maybe the beans to top a jacket potato with when older kids have Branston's beans? And am going to try making macaroni cheese now as he quite liked that.

Would you recommend?

Hmmm. Probably not. I like the no sugar no salt attitude, and the extra veg, but prefer to make my own things generally.

Other recipe ideas?

Beans on top of jacket potatoes then cheese and put under the grill was quite nice.

Soup as a base for pasta sauce, thickened with cream cheese.

Thanks for the testers and sweet apron too

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Loved the idea of these. Something to grab from the cupboard in an emergency!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Unfortunately DS2 did not share my enthusiasm and refused to eat more than a couple of mouthfuls - and he is not usually a fussy child.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Sadly no because I would fear I would be wasting money (and food).

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

I would certainly recommend they give them a try!

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

We tried adding cheese to the beans on toast but DS2 still wasn't keen.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Well presented , I am your target customer as I don't homemake any evening meals for my DS so rely on store bought toddler meals. It seemed like they were more ingredients than actual full meals though , which would just make the user buy extra stuff which is a little irritating. I was pleased to see the ingredients list which was very clear and obviously had no additives and lots of veg.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

None of these are what I would call a recipe, and as it goes he didn't like any of them really probably because of the lack of added sugars , did depend who fed him it though

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Not these but I will give the proper meals a go.

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

Yes only because of the clean ingredients list.

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

Nope sorry! Good suggestions upthread though!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Very good quality. Lovely packaging too.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Loved the cheesy pasta.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, perfect for a quick meal, though they are more like sides. But easy enough to add bread if in a rush.

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

Yes, good quality and taste.

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

Just adding bread really or jacket potato

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Very nice, much more appealing than tinned food and made me feel better about choosing easy meals for my son.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Possibly, but I found the portion sizes rather large for a toddler. It also depends on price.

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

Possibly, although it really depends on the price

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

Not yet, but I will try and think of some!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
I found the packaging really appealing, love the illustrations and the card sleeve, the colour and texture of it, somehow made the product feel more natural/homely/generally appealing.

Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
By far the macaroni cheese

Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
I would buy the macaroni again as it would be great to keep in the store cupboard for when family meal isn't suitable and she seemed to absolutely love it! Unfortunately I wouldn't buy the other 3 again as she completely refused to eat them.

Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
I would recommend them as although they didn't completely work out for my child I love the concept of healthy, toddler-friendly ready meals.

Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
I don't know if I've spoiled my child with flavour but I would add some seasoning to any of the dishes to make them more tasty and exciting- garlic, ginger, curry powder etc

- What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Lovely packaging, easy to prepare. Portion size was a bit weird though - huge for my 18 month old, but not quite big enough for two meals. I wasn't sure if the leftovers could be reheated (I did anyway, and nobody has died), but would be good if this could be made clear.

All recipes were very "wet", meaning a lot ended up down her front and on the floor.

- Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Probably the macaroni cheese, although they all went down well.

- Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Probably depends on price. I usually cook from scratch to keep costs down, but I do like to have a few "emergency" store cupboard meals when time is pressed. If they were on offer I would consider it.

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

Yes, until Aldi bring out a toddler range of meals (my LO has grown out of the pouches), I think this is a good, healthy interim meal.

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

No. I mostly cook from scratch. If I'm using convenience food, I don't want to be faffing around. I put the beans and hoops on wholemeal toast with butter, which helped too in soaking up the sauce. The macaroni I served by itself. (We haven't got to the soup yet.)

Hi, thank you so much for sending me these products to try. We've only tried the beans and hoops as I'm taking the mac cheese camping.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The beans for sure. Whole pack disappeared in a few minutes! The hoops were sucessful too. I haven't tried the soup as my 14 mo won't be spoon fed and i don't fancy letting him loose with soup to feed himself!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? Definitely the beans. Perfect portion size and went down really well. Love the hidden veg idea. The hoops were just a bit too saucy. I'm also not sure how well they would go down with my five year old so I'd be keeping them as standbys for those nights he is out and I'm only feeding the toddler.
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes, depending on price point. We all do these shortcut meals occasionally so why not get a healthier version that's just as quick?
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! Ill be using the soup as pasta sauce. Must admit I can't really see a place for the soup as a soup in my toddlers meals.

Sorry, missed overall impression question. Great impression, liked the concept and the packaging.

Beans being enjoyed!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Liked the packaging

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? I'm afraid all were rejected
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? My DS didn't enjoy them so I'm afraid not
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? I think it's worth a try as they are healthy and my son can be a bit fussy!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Loved the packaging and also the hidden veg. However - just too much sauce! As previous posters have mentioned I ended up cooking and adding food (e.g. Extra pasta to the mac and cheese) as my son is determined to feed himself and this was the only way to get the food in him and not everywhere else. And once I had cooked extra pasta, it rather defeated the idea of being quick and convenient.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Once I had added the extra pasta, my son enjoyed the mac and cheese. Also the baked beans (with mash).

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

If they has less sauce or more substance then yes.

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

At the moment I think they need more to them - BUT do really like the hidden veg and no sugar elements. If not able to make my own food I feel these would be a good option.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked the packaging and the selection

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Macaroni cheese. He loves pasta and cheese so this was perfect for him

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes he seemed to enjoy them and it will be helpful on busy nights

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

Yes I would. The dishes worked well for us so I think they would for other people

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

I chop up some cooked chicken to add to the macaroni cheese to bulk it up for a big meal

Hi my son took part in testing some of your dishes and he absolutely loved the baked beans and hoops, he had these with toast for his lunch and was whinging when they were finished.

my toddler usually loves all food but he never enjoyed the macaroni and cheese he spat it out! he usually eats it as i make it at home.

the soup was great he has that for lunch with some wholemeal bread dipped in.

I've never tried little dish before but i definitely will be buying in future

thank you again

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I thought they were great its my first time trying them.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops and the beans when they were finished he was whinging for more!

He hated the macaroni! he spat it out and he usually eats anything! i particularly didn't like the smell of it

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

yes most definitely my toddler loved them and generous sized portions

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

yes as good quality

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

no not yet!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? I did like that these meals take good and are well balanced nutritionally (some ready meal we had from the supermarkets, especially long life taste very artificial). I also liked the packaging, but maybe there is a way you can do them more environmentally friendly!
• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? Hoops were a big hit and to my surprise soup got absolutely hoovered!
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Yes, definitely

Why? I try to give my DD freshly cooked meals, but as a quick and convenient alternative, Little Dish meals were well received and when I don't make a meal myself, I'd like to give DD the next best thing

• Would you recommend Little Dish

Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? I would definitely recommend, tasty meal, quick and convenient

Loved the look of the little dish items, very easy to store.
Found all the dishes very watery and felt like my son struggled to feed himself. They kept slipping off his spoon!
I wouldn't recommend the soup or macoroni cheese. The spaghetti hoops and beans were ok once on toast so I would recommend these.

Thought the portion sizes were quite big if you only have one child.

Overall it was exciting to try something new and my son did enjoy the flavours!