I need some good, quick recipes.....?

for the children I work with. I am a registered childminder in the UK. All the children I care for and feed are under 5years. I am looking for unusual stuff, ethnic or other cultural foods that I can put into my regular menu's. I don't have much time to cook and am not very organised. I provide bog standard stuff like spag bol, cottage pie, fish fingers and potatoes. The odd chilli sneaks in and occasionally a curry. Snacks are dead boring, usually fresh fruit or veg or sweet biscuits. Snacky teas are also usually sandwiches of ham, jam or cheese, with a bit of salad and some crisps.


Any suggestions gratefully received.I need some good, quick recipes.....?
Tacos are fun for kids.....or tortilla wraps like buritos. Buy the shells, brown some ground beef or turkey, add a mild seasoning and serve it on the tortilla or in the shell with shredded cheese, chopped lettuce...maybe tomatoes if the kids will eat them!





You can cook a lot of the meat in advance and freeze it in portions that are good for one meal, then take it out as you need it.





For snacks you can do kebobs. Choose skewers that are thick and long. Thread on individual grapes, berries, cubes of cheese, ham even chicken. Snip off the pointy end before serving to a child. This would not work for a very young 18 months-4 year old, but would be good for the 4+ ages.





What about an occasional ';backward'; day? Serve pizza or a dinner item for breakfast...then at lunch have all snack foods...little things cut up, treats, bits of veggies and fruits, and at dinner/supper have breakfast foods like eggs and bacon or cereal and fruit.





what about chicken soup with alphabet noodles...let the kids spell their names or point out the letters they know! Add diced carrots and peas for some veggies.I need some good, quick recipes.....?
jazz up your sandwiches - chicken with mayo and touch of curry paste - coronation chicken.





try sweet potatoes instead of regular.
Start with one 8oz. package of cream cheese. add 2 tablespoons anchovy paste and a teaspoon of worcestershire sauce. Blend with a hand mixer until well combined. Spread in the center of a slice of bread, and top with another slice of bread. Use a crimper to cut a circle out of the bread and crimp the edges. Bake for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. They are great for lunch or with tea.
Stir fry!!!!! You can put anything in it, make it as adventurous/safe as you like - brocolli, peas, any meat or fish, corn, bamboo, ginger, carrots, absolutely anything and it's so quick!
Try simple stuffed peppers.


Cook a sweet potato in microwave for 15mins till soft, scoop out and put into scooped out or halved red pepper/sweetpepper. Add cheese/butter/pepper-anything you like and put in oven to roast for 10mins.





It a good way to get kids to eat veg. Making their own pizzas as mentioned above is clever too, especially if you try introducing different veg, meat, fish, cheese from other countries which you have already prepared ready for them to throw on!





Spiced rice/cous cous can also be inventive and you might discover something new for you to enjoy as well as the kids!





Also maybe introduce some unusual fruit as desert, that way you can give them something healthy and new while not having to take too much extra time in the kitchen
Get the kids to help make pizza, gives them something to do, plus they'll enjoy eating what they have made. Rice and pasta are very versitile - just add a good sauce. Cook some rice, cook some bacon, pepper, then add peas, mushrooms and prawns. Rinse rice and mix everything together. Or cook things in advance and freeze them. Then you can just grab something in the morning, defrosted by eating time - job done
How about hot dogs cut up to look llike an octopus...lay on side and make a slit half way down, roll 1/4 turn and slit again.....so you have it criss crossed...and when boiled they curl up...set up straight on a plate....they get a real kick out of this.....all kids love macaroni and cheese.....make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by cutting out the center with a cookie cutter...could change those for the seasons too.....grilled cheese is another one children like....chicken noodle soup....chicken nuggets....french fries....hope this helps alittle.
Cheese and potato pie with beans is a real winner with my 7 year old-and easy to make! Tortilla wraps filled with ham,cheese,etc.,folded up and (if you have one) grilled on a George Foreman grill for a minute or so are really nice with a bit of salad and wedges.
go to yahoo food
cous cous is quick and tasty,sweet potatoes chipped or jacket, kids love these,macaroni cheese,home made fish cakes use tinned fish and mix with mashed pots.meat balls just use mince mixed with a few bread crumbs and spices, roll into balls then roll in flour fry for about 6 mins then add to tomato based sauce cook for a further 10 mins and then serve on spag.
If you have a decent size freezer why not have a day say once a fortnight making meals for your little charges (it will save you loads of time in the long run). do individual meals such as :-





Hot pot


shepherds pie %26amp; of course cottage pie too (I know you already do it)


beef stew %26amp; dumplings


sausage casserole (kids love sausages)


Mini roast dinners


Litte lasagne's


Canneloni


Fish pie


all recipe's can be adapted to do individual portions, then in the mornin you can get out what you want them to have for lunch %26amp; waz it through the micro thus saving you loads %26amp; loads of time.





Snacks:-





You could make flapjacks, they are easy %26amp; healthy for the children.





Tea time:-





As it is dark %26amp; cold @ teatime now, how about soup %26amp; crusty bread, again you could make a few batches %26amp; freeze enough in portions for all the children %26amp; get it out about lunchtime ready for tea.


Get yourself an oldfashioned cookery book, like good housekeeping or Mrs Beatons and adapt the recipe's.
Jacket potato with choices of filling, Butter, Beans, cheese, Corned Beef etc.

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