Thanks @OMGitsnotgood
On a week you’re having chilli or bolognese, make extra then the next day, parcel up some of the meat mixture in wraps, put in a baking dish, top with tomato sauce (or just a tin of chopped tomatoes) and grated cheese (leave tbe grated cheese off part of it if not liked/to reduce calories) and bake til hot.
I like this idea, they do not like grated cheese melted onto anything (other than pizza so its 100% fuss not actual dislike!) But like mince and like wraps so it could work. Also, I always make a cauldron of mine if i am doing it for batching.
You said they’d have some rice, have you tried sausage risotto?
Unfortunately they refuse risotto as its 'all mixed in' we use leftover sausages in a basic tomato Sause with pasta - separate. This one annoys me most. I adore risotto and its so easy in the pressure cooker!
Would they eat soup?
No soups or stews - another annoyance as a slow cooker soup or stew used to be a favorite of mine, as well as tagine, slow cooked lamb shank in a rich gravy etc. But all refused as mixed in.
Have you tried different minces - so make burgers from turkey or pork mince for example.
Will do this for different burgers and meatballs, see if I can get them involved in making it. We made pasta a while back - and added blue food coloring, it was off putting but tasty and fun.
As they like burgers, they might like meat loaf served with tomato sauce and pasta
Never thought of this, another excellent idea.
You mentioned fish fingers but not other fish (sorry if I missed it). Would they have tuna mixed with pasta and veg in a tomato sauce?
They make sick noises when I eat tuna, so afraid not. I have tried lots of different types of actual fish but its all refused, as is any type of seafood. I love prawns, but they refuse those as well.
You said they would ‘suffer’ a baked potato.
I could try different toppings with a baked potato, they generally will eat half with an equal volume of potato to butter, or some baked beans. No melted cheese, but they will have a slice of cheese on the side.
How are they with mayonnaise?
No mayo. They do like the pine nut pasta salad marks and Spenser do, but have refused every attempt of mine to recreate it. As pine nuts, olive oil, a bit of raw veg and some pesto in the fridge would make a very quick as you go dinner for busy nights especially with summer coming.
i think it’s easy to forget that a simple meal can be nutritionally sound.
If none of the above work, then I’ll have another think.
You have a point here, they do love a 'picky tea' so this week had one night with a slice of ham, a slice of cheese and a sausage roll, some bread and butter, raw carrot, cucumber, pepper, sliced apple and grapes and some hummus. Stuffed the lot with no complaints in super quick time. They also love peanut butter so will eat a random collection of things from the fridge with a dipping bowl of peanut butter and some pasta or rice.
I wish they would like risotto, creamy pastas, stews, soups, stir-fry, omelet, curry, noodles......but alas. They eat like toddlers still. (Currently in Junior school) One of the eldest DCs favorite food is sushi! I am so envious!
Thanks for all the suggestions, they have made me feel better and think about ways to vary the known loves.