Kid friendly family meals on a budget

TCroteau1992

Looking for recipes that I can make for my whole family (small kids included) that won't break the bank AND still extremely healthy.

WinoGelato

This question comes up a lot. What kinds of food does your family like to eat now? Are there any dietary restrictions? When you say "healthy" what do you mean? Are you trying to control calories for yourself, but want to make meals that have good nutrients and please the whole family?

My kids are not super picky but I find that they prefer things "deconstructed" rather than everything all together. For example last night I made Butter Chicken. I sautéed the chicken and snap peas first, then pulled some of those out before adding the sauce for my husband and I. My kids are chicken, snap peas, plain rice and naan with a banana and tasted the finished meal, but said they preferred it plain. That's ok by me, I certainly wasn't eating Indian food at that age, and they try most things, even if they don't always eat the same full meal that we do.

RachelElser

WinoGelato wrote: »

This question comes up a lot. What kinds of food does your family like to eat now? Are there any dietary restrictions? When you say "healthy" what do you mean? Are you trying to control calories for yourself, but want to make meals that have good nutrients and please the whole family?

My kids are not super picky but I find that they prefer things "deconstructed" rather than everything all together. For example last night I made Butter Chicken. I sautéed the chicken and snap peas first, then pulled some of those out before adding the sauce for my husband and I. My kids are chicken, snap peas, plain rice and naan with a banana and tasted the finished meal, but said they preferred it plain. That's ok by me, I certainly wasn't eating Indian food at that age, and they try most things, even if they don't always eat the same full meal that we do.

What recipe do you use for Butter chicken? I LOVE it at the restaurant but have no idea how to make it at home."

As for the original question- use whole grain pasta and bread, make sure there is a fruit and veg at every meal (it can just be apple slices, no need to be fancy) don't make them clean their plates (but if they try to say they are hungry five minutes after dinner and want a cookie, well that should not fly), and see if you can find serving spoons that are half cup/cup measurements. WW had a great set of measuring spoons that were serving spoon style.

WinoGelato

Relser wrote: »

WinoGelato wrote: »

This question comes up a lot. What kinds of food does your family like to eat now? Are there any dietary restrictions? When you say "healthy" what do you mean? Are you trying to control calories for yourself, but want to make meals that have good nutrients and please the whole family?

My kids are not super picky but I find that they prefer things "deconstructed" rather than everything all together. For example last night I made Butter Chicken. I sautéed the chicken and snap peas first, then pulled some of those out before adding the sauce for my husband and I. My kids are chicken, snap peas, plain rice and naan with a banana and tasted the finished meal, but said they preferred it plain. That's ok by me, I certainly wasn't eating Indian food at that age, and they try most things, even if they don't always eat the same full meal that we do.

What recipe do you use for Butter chicken? I LOVE it at the restaurant but have no idea how to make it at home."

As for the original question- use whole grain pasta and bread, make sure there is a fruit and veg at every meal (it can just be apple slices, no need to be fancy) don't make them clean their plates (but if they try to say they are hungry five minutes after dinner and want a cookie, well that should not fly), and see if you can find serving spoons that are half cup/cup measurements. WW had a great set of measuring spoons that were serving spoon style.

Well, I cheat and use a premade simmer sauce that I get at Target. I also get Naan from Target too. But I do have a recipe for it... that a friend made and it was really tasty although I was skeptical at first...

http://www.canadianliving.com/food/recipe/slow-cooker-butter-chicken-1

FlippingFins

Filo pastry parcels with a variety of vegetables (I aim for 4) in a tomato-based sauce. My daughter will eat the vegetables whole, but much prefers when I blend everything down to a puree and add it to the parcel like that. Easier to eat, I think. I use frozen veg as it's cheaper and lasts longer - it can be anything. This week, we're having it with butternut squash, broccoli, mushrooms and red onion. Last week it was similar but we used sweet potato and spinach instead of butternut squash and broccoli. Next week I plan to replace something with sweetcorn.

We also love spring onions, green beans, mashed sweet potato and tuna. Cooks in literally minutes, and is absolutely delicious.

cwolfman13

During the week, kids eat separate from us as I am not often home until well into the evening...on Saturdays we try to eat dinner together...they are 6 & 4

- Rolled chicken enchiladas with refried beans and calabacitas
- Beef or chicken tacos (we make traditional Mexican tacos, not the Americanized version)...usually with beans and a salad
- In summer we frequently grill hamburgers with salad and/or sweet corn
- Grilled chicken tenders with roasted potatoes and veg
- Spaghetti bolognese
- a variety of homemade soups

just to name a few...

flourchild225

Baked homemade chicken nuggets from skinnytaste, brown rice, and broccoli on the side.

I make a ton of recipes from skinnytaste.com and my family loves it. Even my five year old ate Cajun chicken pasta last night.

ridiculous59

My kids loved crepes when they were little. I'd double the recipe and freeze some for another day. You can stuff them with anything and put a sauce on top. We also ate alot of burritos. I'd cook up dried lentils and mix that in half and half with the beef to stretch it further and add some extra goodness. And I agree, homemade soups are great.

frannieshack

My kids are grown now, but they used to love the old fashioned sheppard's pie. I would sneak a lot of veggies in there.