Kitchen Titbits

Constant demands for snacks wearing you down? I've got just the thing to help you out. Download my snack ideas for kids. In it you'll find lots of ideas and recipes for even the fussiest and hungriest of eaters.

https://subscribe.kitchentitbits.co.uk/snack-ideas-for-children

Recipe of the week: Store cupboard chorizo macaroni cheese

When my children started school, they needed comfort food and meals that satisfied their carb cravings.

Macaroni cheese featured heavily on our menu. This store cupboard chorizo macaroni cheese was one variation that helped keep it interesting for my husband and I, but also pushed the kids a little out of their comfort zone.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/store-cupboard-chorizo-macaroni-cheese/

My meal plan

Here's what we've been eating this week.

There are photos and recipe links (where available) on my blog.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/2024/06/16/my-week-in-meals-week-commencing-09-06-24/

It may seem trivial but, for this child, it was a massive step forward. Being open to familiar foods prepared in different ways or presented as an alternative shape often needs to happen before they are comfortable exploring new foods.

Recipe of the week: Veggie Bolognese

A really good place to start supporting your child to be ready for school meals is to make changes to a dish they already know and love.

A Bolognese/ragu is a great example of how this is possible - you might start with your regular version cooked by dad instead of mum, then served with a different shape of pasta, next with a different cheese to normal, perhaps made with turkey mince instead of beef, another time add some peas on the side.

You can build up to a bigger change, for example moving from a meat version to a veggie one. You can head there gradually by adding a small amount of lentils, increasing the ratio of lentils to meat over the weeks until you're at a full veggie version.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/veggie-bolognese/

My meal plan

Here's what we've been eating this week.

There are photos and recipe links (where available) on my blog.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/2024/06/09/my-week-in-meals-week-commencing-02-06-24/

Some children barely eat at lunchtimes when they start school and often their eating at home is also impacted. This can really worry parents at a time when anxiety is already high, but rest assured this is completely normal and they will learn to eat well at school.

Eating is often affected by changes in a child's life and it takes a little while for them to settle back down, follow the new routine and get used to being at school before they feel calm enough to eat well.

If you're worried about your child's eating when they start school in September, or if your child is already at school and still not eating well, take a look at my mealtime support sessions where I can support you to help your child embrace their love of food and eat better.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/what-i-do/how-to-feed-your-fussy-eater/

What’s in season in June?

Buying fruit and veg in season is usually cheaper. It’s also at its best. Get to know what produce is in season and when then make the most of it whilst you can.

Here’s what in season this month with a few recipe ideas.

Mediterranean vegetable tray bake
https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/mediterranean-vegetable-tray-bake-with-salsa-verde/

Pecan and jalapeno coleslaw
https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/pecan-and-jalapeno-slaw/

Grilled pineapple with banana and blueberry ice cream
https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/grilled-pineapple-with-banana-and-blueberry-ice-cream/

Recipe of the week: Savoury snack mix

Children often don't need much at tea time, especially if they've had their main meal at school, so on a busy night or a night when it's not feasible to eat together, something quick and easy is just the ticket.

In our house that's a snack or picnic tea. These go down really well with the kids because there are lots of little bits for them to choose from; different tastes, textures and temperatures. Plus, they get to choose what goes on their plates.

This savoury snack mix is a great addition to your picnic tea offering. Any leftovers can go in a box for snacks for the whole family another day.

You'll find the recipe for this moreish snack mix on my website.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/savoury-snack-mix/

My meal plan

Here's what we've been eating this week.

There are photos and recipe links (where available) on my blog.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/2024/06/02/my-week-in-meals-week-commencing-26-05-24/

Top tips for meal planning success

Do you meal plan? Over the last six years of working as a family mealtimes mentor, I must have heard every excuse under the sun as to why people don't meal plan. And yet, the benefits far out weight all of those excuses; cutting back your trips to the shops, saving money, reducing food waste, eating better and helping your fussy eater are just some of them.

It can be hard to get going, this is what most people I talk to struggle with, so if you're ready to get meal planning but aren't sure where or how to start, why not have a look at my top tips for meal planning success? There's also a simple template to get you going.

You can get a copy of the free download here

https://subscribe.kitchentitbits.co.uk/meal-planning

Recipe of the week: Quick pickle

When we think of batch cooking, we are usually thinking about whole meals; a chilli, Bolognese or stew, for example. But batch preparing can extend to components of a meal to make putting lunch or dinner together another day a whole lot quicker.

No matter the cooking method or ingredient, consider whether you can prepare extra. Combine these ingredients over a few days for a variety of speedy meals.

My quick pickle is a great batch prep recipe. Prepare plenty and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week for easy access to crunchy pickles on your salads and in other meals throughout the week.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/quick-pickle/

My meal plan

Here's what we've been eating this week.

There are photos and recipe links (where available) on my blog.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/2024/05/26/my-week-in-meals-week-commencing-19-05-24/

Cookery skills sessions

Whether you’re an absolute beginner, just need to build your confidence in the kitchen, want to cook with your children but aren't sure where to start, enjoy cooking and are looking for some tips to level up your skills and knowledge, or would like to have a fun night with friends, my cookery skills sessions are ideal.

I’ll teach you to cook intuitively so you’re not reliant on recipes and a specific set of ingredients, to feel comfortable with the ingredients and equipment you’re working with, what goes well together and how to balance flavours and textures to suit your tastes as well as teaching what to look out for when cooking rather than being prescriptive over timings.

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Kitchen Titbits session if we didn’t also incorporate how to make your food (your time and your money) go further!

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/what-i-do/cookery-skills-sessions/

From affordable self-service PDF resources and video masterclasses to tailored 1:1 courses, I offer plenty to ways to help you save time, energy and money as well as make the most of the food you buy.

Recipe of the week: Banana, oat and peanut butter pancakes

Whether you find mornings such a rush, have to be up and out early but still have a decent meal in you, have secondary school aged kids who need something to grab and go or starving children after school pick up, these pancakes are a life-saver.

Make a big batch of these, cool then freeze, separated by greaseproof paper so you can get out however many you need. Simply defrost and warm through in the toaster.

For the recipe, head to my website.
https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/banana-oat-and-peanut-butter-pancakes/

My meal plan

Here's what we've been eating this week.

There are photos and recipe links (where available) on my blog.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/2024/05/19/my-week-in-meals-week-commencing-12-05-24/

My freezer is one of the most essential pieces of equipment in my kitchen. Every day, I’m grateful for my box of frozen goodies!

I talk a lot about freezing and buying frozen, because it is one of the best weapons with which to fight food waste, get organised and make efficient use of your time and energy in the kitchen, but what foods can you be filling it with? What freezes well?

In this blog post, I've shared my tips to help you become best buddies with your freezer.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/2021/07/08/what-foods-are-good-to-have-in-my-freezer/

Recipe of the week: Lentil and quinoa ragu

A ragu lends itself perfectly to being batch cooked. It's so easy to double, triple or even quadruple the recipe and then freeze some. Freeze in various portion sizes for maximum flexibility over how you use it.

Remember, you don't have to get bored eating it the same way each time; serve it with different sides, turn it into a lasagne or a bake, spice it up and transform it into something new. Give your batch cooks a new lease of life!

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/lentil-and-quinoa-ragu/

My meal plan

Here's what we've been eating this week.

There are photos and recipe links (where available) on my blog.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/2024/05/12/my-week-in-meals-week-commencing-05-05-24/

Meal planning mini session

A one-hour session to get you off to a flying start with your meal planning. I don’t just show you how to meal plan but how to make it work for you so that you can stick with it long-term.

During the session, we’ll explore:

· Meal planning – how to get started, how to meal plan, ways to be flexible whilst planning

· Getting organised to make meal planning quicker and easier as well as work around your daily routines

· Stocking up – using a well and thoughtfully stocked store cupboard and what to include

· Batch cooking and preparation – what, how and putting it to use

· How to pull a meal together so you aren’t reliant on recipes for specific meals

To find out more or to book your session with me, drop me a message or head to my website.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/what-i-do/meal-planning-and-reducing-food-waste/

If we take a moment to step back and do some planning, it becomes easier to see when, where and how we can make better use of our time, energy and ingredients.

A few simple tweaks to the way you approach mealtimes can make such a big difference to your life.

Recipe of the week: Smoked haddock and sweetcorn chowder fishcakes

Fishcakes are pretty time consuming to prepare and anything that's going to take too long to make isn't going to feature regularly on my meal plan!

But if you plan ahead and make lots of these in one go when you do have time, some can be frozen for another meal or two. Then they become a quick and easy, achievable weeknight meal.

To get the recipe for these delicious chowder inspired fishcakes, head to my website.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/smoked-haddock-fishcakes-with-crispy-potato-skins/

My meal plan

Here's what we've been eating this week.

There are photos and recipe links (where available) on my blog.

http://kitchentitbits.co.uk/2024/05/05/my-week-in-meals-week-commencing-28-04-24/

What’s in season in May?

Buying fruit and veg in season is usually cheaper. It’s also at its best. Get to know what produce is in season and when then make the most of it whilst you can.

Here’s what in season this month with a couple of recipe ideas.

Spicy, herby potato salad
https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/spicy-herby-potato-salad/

Miso aubergine with soba noodles
https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/miso-aubergine-with-soba-noodles/

Recipe of the week: Steak burrito bowls

If I'm stuck for a family meal idea, my thoughts turn to burritos. Burritos tick so many boxes for a family-friendly dinner.

Pretty straight forward to prepare, versatile, can be made using batch cooked bits from the freezer to save time and everyone can design their ideal meal from the items on the table.

These steak burrito bowls are a twist on the usual wrap because it's great to change things up every once in a while.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/steak-burrito-bowls/

My meal plan

Here's what we've been eating this week.

There are photos and recipe links (where available) on my blog.

http://kitchentitbits.co.uk/2024/04/28/my-week-in-meals-week-commencing-21-04-24/

Fussy eater masterclass video

Learn how to transform mealtimes from stressful to stress-free and help your fussy eater find a love of food.

In this video masterclass, I explain what can cause the fussy eating behaviour as well as some of the changes you can make to instil a positive relationship with food in your child and support them to eat a wider variety of foods.

Start creating healthier, happier, stress-free family mealtimes today.

You can get your hands on the masterclass by heading to my website.

https://kitchentitbits.co.uk/what-i-do/how-to-feed-your-fussy-eater-resources/

You really can't under-estimate the benefit that eating the foods which bring you joy can have for both you and your children.

Are you eating a self-care meal once a week at least?

Ruth bravely took my advice to do just that and has really transformed mealtimes in her house.