The internet is full of adventurous, complicated meals that look delicious but take forever to make. As a busy parent, more often than not you want something that’s quick and easy, but that still offers your little one a diverse range of tastes and textures. That’s why we’ve put together six ideas for simple lunches and dinners that use five ingredients or less.
Roast chicken and sweet potato
Course: lunch, dinnerCuisine: KidsDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutesIngredients
5 small chicken thighs
1/2 tsp black pepper
2tsp dried thyme
2 medium sweet potatoes
Instructions
Peel sweet potatoes and cut into strips
In an air fryer, cook the sweet potatoes for 8 minutes at 200°C
In a bowl, combine your chicken thighs with thyme and black pepper, then toss to coat
When the sweet potatoes are done, give them a quick stir and then lay the chicken thighs on top in a single layer and spray with oil
Place back in the air fryer for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken before cooking for another 5 minutes
Cauliflower, broccoli and cheese fritters
Course: lunch, dinnerCuisine: KidsDifficulty: Easy15
fritters20
minutesIngredients
2 eggs
120g self-raising flour
120g broccoli (cooked)
250g cauliflower (cooked)
120g cheese (grated)
Instructions
Using a fork, crush the broccoli and cauliflower into small pieces
In a bowl, combine the broccoli and cauliflower with flour, eggs and cheese
Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat, and add small pancake-like amounts of the fritter mixture
Fry the fritters until golden brown on both sides
Spaghetti carbonara
Course: lunch, dinnerCuisine: KidsDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutesIngredients
2tsp olive oil
140g bacon (cooked)
250g spaghetti
2 eggs
50g cheese (grated)
Instructions
Boil the spaghetti until fully cooked
In a separate bowl, mix the eggs and cheese together
While it’s still warm, combine the spaghetti with the olive oil and bacon
Add your egg and cheese mixture. As you mix the ingredients, the heat from the spaghetti should gently cook the sauce
Egg cups
Course: lunch, dinnerCuisine: KidsDifficulty: Easy6
servings20
minutesIngredients
6 eggs
3 vegetables of your choice (cooked)
25g cheese (grated)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200°C and grease a muffin tray
Beat the eggs and then combine with the cheese and vegetables
Pour the mixture into the muffin tray
Bake for 15 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean
Leave to cool for a few minutes before serving
Gnocchi with butter and broccoli
Course: lunch, dinnerCuisine: KidsDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutesIngredients
1 head of broccoli (cooked and cut into florets)
500g gnocchi
1tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
75g butter
Instructions
Fry the garlic and broccoli florets in oil for 5 minutes
In a separate pot, cook the gnocchi following instructions on the packet
Add the cooked gnocchi into the frying pan and mix the ingredients together
Melt in the butter before dishing up
Egg and avocado on toast
Course: lunch, breakfastCuisine: KidsDifficulty: Easy1
serving5
minutesIngredients
1 slice of bread (toasted)
1 ripe avocado
1 egg
A pinch of black pepper
Instructions
Scoop out the inside of avocado and spread it on top of a slice of toast
Fry an egg and add it on top of the toast
Season with a pinch of black pepper and serve!
For more recipes and ideas for little ones, subscribe to the eco rascals YouTube channel and browse our weaning recipes on the eco rascals website.
