Our Top 5 Back to School Teatime Tricks #afterschoolchefs
September has been a very busy month with the mad back to school rush, little man getting accepting into our school of choice (a year late!), and having to arrange his new uniform all over again.
I have been very busy, and according to a recent survey by Birds Eye, I am not alone as the results showed that September is the most dreaded month for parents, with the average mum juggling up to 42 tasks each day, with 19 of them being done before 9am.
If it was up to little man, he would have cake with sprinkles for tea every day! There is so much to do done, including washing clothes, tidying up, planning meals, cooking, cleaning, helping with homework, and the list goes on. Teatime can be stressful, so Birds Eye developed a range of delicious Kids Approved recipes, created with the help of a panel mini after school chefs.
The Kids Approved recipes are by kids for kids, designed to help mums to make teatime more enjoyable and less stressful, including Fish Finger Pizza, Waffle Submarine, Chicken Dipper Korma and Waffle Nachos.
Our top 5 back to school teatime tricks are:
1. Menu Planning
Spare an hour over the weekend to check the fridge and freezer to draft a menu plan for the week ahead before doing the grocery shopping. Try to create recipes from the contents of the fridge and cupboard essentials, and buy only what you need.
2. Get Kids Involved
Get kids involved in preparing meals, desserts and treats. It might not save you time, but they will enjoy getting involved and be proud of their creation. We are lucky little man is not a fussy eater, but he eats much quicker when he helps us in the kitchen.
3. Let Kids be in Charge
Once a week, let the children decide what they are having for dinner (as long as it is a sensible choice). In case they need some inspiration, you can give them a choice of 3 meals, then make their favourite once a week. How about throwing a space themed party with Birds Eye chicken space shapes? They are tender 100% chicken breast in the shape of stars, moons and rockets.
4. Freezer Stocked up with Nutritious Meals
Keep the freezer stocked up with delicious and nutritious ingredients, such as fishcakes, rice and vegetables. They are a lifesaver for mid-week meals, and when you are running late.
We particularly like Birds Eye melt in the middle haddock & creamy cheese fishcakes, paired with Birds Eye Field Fresh Super Sunshine Mix, single steamers with sweetcorn, carrot batons and peas, and Birds Eye Rice Fusions in Tender Green Vegetable Rice with herb seasoning.
5. Add tasty vegetables
Add vegetables to every meal, as a side, in pasta sauce and toppings of pizza. If you don’t have time to plan your vegetables, just get some mixed vegetables out of the freezer and pop in the microwave for a few minutes.
We particularly like Birds Eye Veg Fusions range, fresh vegetables are complemented with selected herbs and seasoning, making vegetables tastier and more exciting. Birds Eye Field Fresh Peas and Sweetcorn with Seasoned Butter is just delicious!
What are you teatime tricks?
This post is an entry for #Afterschoolchefs Linky Challenge, sponsored by Birds Eye. Learn more on the Birds Eye Facebook page.