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

My son with his macoroni cheese!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Loved the brand and ingredients and the idea that they replace everyday classics like spaghetti hoops. The girls loved the pasta but didn't like the soup, i think because they're used to cream of tomato soup.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

macaroni cheese.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes definitely the mac and cheese one. I like the healthiness and convenience although sadly we don't have a microwave so we cooked in a pan.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes definitely because of the added vegetables and the healthiness of the products.

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

We added more macaroni pasta and parmesan to the mac and cheese and we used cucumber to make sunshine rays around it.

I made this video too:

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I really liked them, though I thought some recipes were a bit runny.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The macoroni cheese, though it needed to be eaten in a bowl due to the amount of liquid.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes they are good healthy quick meal option.

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

Yes they are tasty, healthy,easy to prepare and the kids love them.

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

Not really, just added sides like toast with the beans.

Packaging: I liked the packaging the ingredients were clear, I liked that it didn't take up too much space in the cupboard, but was also easy to get into.

Just to add this, I posted some feedback earlier on the wrong thread.

I liked that there was lots of hidden veg inside the sauces.

She loves the macaroni cheese, wolfed it down, I thought it was perhaps too runny.

She wasn't keen on the spaghetti hoops. Think it just threw her that they didn't taste like Heinz.

The soup also went down well too. Her official feedback ' mmmm yumMMeeee'

She doesn't like beans at the moment so I couldn't get her to try them. I thought they were nice though.

Overall would give 4/5

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Good idea, love the lower salt and sugar idea. But recipies tasted a bit too "baby food" rather than real food but healthier if that makes sense.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops. But that was a stretch.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

No. Tasted weird and DD wasn't happy to eat more than 3 spoons of any of them.

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

Only for lower salt and sugar, and see if their DC like them better.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! Using soup as a sauce base and beans with pasta.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked the packaging, quite slim line, inoffensive. I didn't realise they were 'store cupboard' meals rather than the usual refrigerated ones; I usually wouldn't tend to buy long-life meals for the kids (since they stopped eating things like Ella's kitchen when they were younger and we were out and about).

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

I think the beans were my DS's favourite. He has had the (low sugar/salt) Heinz baked beans before and loves them so I guessed this might go down well. It's a large portion and I also have toast and some veg fingers - so he shared with his sister

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I would consider it to have something in the cupboard and/or to take on holiday in case there wasn't anything suitable to eat etc.

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

I would probably mention them as an option, I think overall I prefer the refrigerated ones as more of a 'proper' meal but I do like the fact that they are low salt etc which is something I look for.

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

Nothing very imaginative, adding grated cheese to the beans and a bit extra to the macaroni cheese - I also added some chunks of bread to the soup as soup and my 19 month old are a messy business! I also wanted to bulk it out a bit. Spaghetti hoops I thought could go with a jacket potato (as could the beans).

And thank you for the lovely little apron - it was a nice surprise!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

The packaging was nice, easy to store and put in a lunch box. They heat up nicely too. Generally though the recipes lacked flavour and mostly had a sloppy texture.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Baked beans. The others were largely rejected after the second/third mouthful.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

No. LO is perhaps a bit old for them. None of them had much flavour and the texture was quite runny/sloppy which would have been fine for him up until about 18 months old. The mac cheese he wouldn't touch as he didn't like the texture and being 25 months now I think he prefers stronger tastes.

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

I would recommend them for people who have younger children yes. They are easy to have around as a back up meal or as a progression from mush to proper food.

• 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? I thought they looked lovely and were super easy to cook. Unfortunately my son wasn't keen on them.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? I didn't get further than a mouthful with any of the meals (much to my bitter disappointment!)

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? No because they wouldn't get eaten! I think they are a great idea but they have so many different bits of veg 'hidden' in them that they have a babyfood type taste.

• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? No, mainly because my son wouldn't eat them and also because of the baby food taste.

• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? Not yet!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I think they looked great, nice packaging and easy to store, although I was surprised that they were more meal accompaniments than full meals.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The only one my DS liked was the baked beans, he really liked those! I served them with marmite on toast and grated cheese on the top. Although the portion of beans was a lot for a toddler as you couldn't have them just on their own. He hated the macaroni cheese, he had one mouthful and then completely refused anymore. I must admit the smell of it to me was quite horrible. The hoops were ok, he ate a couple of mouthfuls but there was too much sauce with them. Again with the soup he would only eat a couple of mouthfuls.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

I might buy th

• 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!

Sorry I pressed post too soon above!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Maybe the baked beans as they were popular and have less salt and sugar than other brands

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

Again, only really the beans as my DS didn't really enjoy anything else. I'm a big fan of your other meals as are my DC

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

Only to add toast!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

The packaging was lovely, though I don't think the cardboard part was very necessary. It might be better to print directly on to the plastic like the micro-rice packages you can get?
Unfortunately I don't think most of them were liked. The sauces were too runny!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The one she ate the most of was the macaroni cheese, which was about 3 spoonfuls.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

No, sorry. The soup I could make myself for pennies, the macaroni cheese was far too runny (and pasta was too mushy), the beans and spaghetti hoops tasted very acidic.

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

No, for the reasons above.

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

We had the soup with crackers to dip in, beans on toast, macaroni cheese on its own and spaghetti hoops on a jacket spud.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?.

The food looked appetising and was easy to cook, although the cooking times were probably a little short. The packaging was appealing and list of ingredients very clear.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The spaghetti hoops. She insisted on eating the entire packet, even though I'd only cooked half initially.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Definitely. The salt and sugar content is low and they are great as a convenient meal if you're in a rush or after a busy day where you may not have had time to prepare something.

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

Yes. They seem a healthier alternative than other similar brands, with lots of hidden veg. My DC really seemed to enjoy the meals and finished every last bite, so they are obviously tasty too!

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

I added peas to the macaroni cheese but did the classic toast with the spaghetti hoops and beans - though they'd be great with jacket potatoes too.

• My overall impression of the Little Dish Classics was good but my daughter didn't like them all.
• The cheesy pasta dishes was her favourite. She had been feeling unwell and gone off her food but she finished all of it.
• We would buy the cheesy pasta dish and the hoops. The hoops and beans were a little too runny but we mixed them with potato and vegetables which seemed to work.
• Yes I would because I don't like feeding my daughter food with high amounts of salt and sugar so these are perfect!

First all thanks for the lovely box of samples and the cute apron .
What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics? I think they are a quick, nutritious meal for a younger toddler. Unfortunately my DD wasn't that keen on them.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe? DD would only eat the tomato soup, and I quite liked the macaroni cheese but it was too peppery/garlicky for DD. The baked beans and spaghetti hoops were too bland.
• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why? I don't think I'd buy them again for DD as she wasn't too keen on them, I may however try the Little Dish chilled range.
• Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? I would recommend for a 1yr-18mnth old who may be used to blander food. I think they are a good product, just not to my little ones taste, unfortunately.
• Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them! Just the usual bread/toast, I'm not that adventurous with food!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I liked the way they looked and the packaging, I liked that they can be stored easily in the cupboard and cooked in their packaging (although I did need to hear them for longer than stated on the pack).

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The hoops, although there was a bit too much sauce on them, but that would be good with a jacket potato.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes, proving they were at a price that is acceptable to me. I like that they are easy to store and I feel like they are a quick meal to keep in the cupboards for last minute meals. I also like that they have no added salt and sugar.

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

I would for young children, my 1 year old enjoyed them but my 6 year old didn't like the taste of the beans, which is a shame as I like that they are not full of salt or sugar.

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

I added sausages and grated cheese to the beans and stirred a few spoonfuls of the hoops into spaghetti bol when I hadn't made quite enough for everyone!

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Looked really good, the packaging is attractive and the dishes went down a treat.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

The baked beans. I had never tried him on normal baked beans due to the high sugar content but they went down a storm.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Definitely. They are such straightforward and simple meals which he loved. Very easy to prepare.

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

Yes definitely. My 1 yo really enjoyed them and they are healthier versions of tasty 'adult' simple foods.

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

How about beans and mini sausages? I LOVED these as a child (and adult!). Something like meatballs would go down well too.

I really liked the packaging of these products and was impressed by the hidden they contained as I thought this would be great if your child was a fussy eater.

DS took the macaroni cheese to the childminder's for lunch and she commented how much he enjoyed it. I think it was his favourite of the four recipes. We used the beans and spaghetti hoops as substitutes for our usual brand and ds didn't seem to notice any change.

Ds was less keen on the tomato soup, but I think this is because it is not something he has had previously.

I have already told my sister all about the baked beans and spaghetti as my nephew is very fussy and I think he would benefit from the hidden veg in them.

1. Packaging looked good. Felt like a higher end product.
2. DDs favourite were the baked beans
3. Yes, although I do think the macaroni cheese was too runny.
4. Yes, always handy to know there are some ready to go meals that are low sugar and salt. Plus they went down well with my DD
5. We split the spaghetti hoops into two portions and had one on a baked potato with some cheese. I think they are a good side dish but I'm too big of a portion - the portion side was like it was a main meal for my DD.

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Really enjoyed the meals overall, packaging was great, i like how they aren't in heavy tins for transporting. Apron was enjoyed by everyone!!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Daughter (3) liked the beans the best (with sausages and mash) , son (1) liked the macaroni cheese , but this is a combination of his 2 favourite things.. cheese and pasta so was always going to be a winner!

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

The macaroni cheese i would definitely buy again, it was very different to other tinned macaroni cheeses and seemed a much healthier option. The beans, spaghetti and soup i would price dependent because these are more staple items i'd be less inclined to spend a premium price on them, although i would probably purchase for camping trips etc when we can't be bothered (don't have the facilities) to do much cooking!

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

Yes i would definitely recommend, both my children enjoyed the dinners and they are much healthier than many other options out there. It is great to have something in the cupboard for when you can't be bothered to cook!

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

We didn't do anything creative with the meals next time around, but like others i would definitely add pasta and possibly a bit of chicken to the macaroni cheese to bulk it up a bit.

Thanks for letting us be involved with the product test, my children have all loved Little Dish in the past so it was good to try some new products...my son loved his apron too- the big ones were quite jealous!

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?
I liked the idea but found the portion sizes a little odd- even for my hungry toddler it was too much for one meal but not enough for two.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

He liked the beans the best and I liked the fact that they were better nutritionally than 'normal' beans. Sadly he didn't enjoy any of the rest of them.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Possibly the beans depending on price point. They were enjoyed and convenient.

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

I probably wouldn't because my son didn't love them- they didn't hit the spot like previous little dish meals. In fact the soup smelt delicious but I tried it and found it bland and my son normally demolishes homemade soup but pushed it away after two spoons.

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

No but I could probably do some sort of salmon bake with the cheesy pasta which might go down a little better.

Sorry we didn't love them- still love little dish as a brand though! Thanks for letting us try them

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I really liked the convenient packaging, perfect for last minute meals

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Macaroni Cheese

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

My daughter enjoyed them so I'd certainly purchase again, especially for when we visit relatives etc

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

I would recommend them, they are tasty and very convenient for a busy family

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

Nicely packaged and I liked that there were extra veg included but my children didn't really enjoy them.

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

They did like the spaghetti hoops.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

No. My kids didn't like the beans or macaroni cheese (we haven't got round to the soup yet) and if I'm honest, I tried them and thought the flavour was unpleasant.

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

I'd recommend the spaghetti hoops but not the others.

What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics
I love that the Classics carry on their ethos of no unecessary added stuff etc but for us they were just not such as hit as the rest of the range I'm sorry to say :-( The consistency of the soup and macaroni cheese wasn't quite right (too thin/runny). The other two were more popular with DS, but as they're what I would use as "sides" the pouches were too much for one meal.

Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?
The baked beans. I don't give DCs beans with added sugar/salt in usually so these were good and he ate most of them. He also liked the soup (though I found it tricky to feed him as it is very thin).

Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?
Possibly the beans and soup as DS enjoyed those. The pouches are handy to take away.

Would you recommend Little Dish Classics to your friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
We love Little Dish a lot in this house, their microwave meals and pizzas are amazing! But I'm sorry I don't think I'd recommend these particular ones.

Have you thought up any of your own recipes that incorporate the Little Dish Classics? If so, please share them!
No, sorry, we tried them as they were.

Thank you for the trial and the apron

• What was your overall impression of Little Dish Classics?

I really liked the concept of having reduced salt and sugar plus hidden veg in everyday classic kids foods but still being super convenient - kind of made you feel less guilty because the ingredients were very clear and simple, just like home prepared food

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Really handy - can use them to form part of a meal and add your own bits. Also great for when you're away from home

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

Yes - almost like home prepared food but so much more convenient

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

Added some veggie meatballs to the spaghetti hoops Added more cheese and peas and sweetcorn to the macaroni cheese Had the beans with sweet potato and cheese Dipped breadsticks into the soup

Thank you - the dishes have been fab!

• Which was your DC’s favourite recipe?

Spaghetti hoops - baked beans a close second.

• Would you buy Little Dish Classics again? Why?

Yes definitely. So handy to have a quick dinner option in the cupboard. They were quite liquidy but we're always happy to embrace a little mess! My toddler did the most spoon-use this week he's done so far and by meal 4 had greatly improved! He loved having a bowl to eat from. Each portion needed an accompaniment such as bread or sausages as our little one is a big eater. But I love that these are low sugar and salt alternatives to canned options. Only issue, and it may have been something else like teething (isn't it always?!) but we had horrid pooey nappies after the spaghetti hoops so I'd test those again to check if they were the cause!!

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

Definitely. Super convenient, super healthy and now I know they're toddler approved.

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

Would definitely pop the beans and soup in with mince or pasta. I already make sauces with similar ingredients so would be a great speedy option.

(I have lots more photos if useful!)