Butternut squash casserole

This is a meal we have eaten for a long time and is perfect for JJ and he loves it.

Fry one chopped onion and some garlic for a few mins till soft. Add 1 tsp of ground cumin, 1 tsp ground corriander and 1/2 tsp of ground turmeric and fry for another minute. Add some chopped mushrooms, one small butternut squash peeled and cut into pieces which our baby can handle (chip shape or chunks) and fry for another minute or two. Add one tin of chopped tomatoes and a tin of kidney beans and a splash of water if it seems a bit dry and cook with the lid on for about 20 mins till the squash is cooked.

We eat this with rice or jacket potatoes and salad. You could swap/add other veg if you wanted.

Chicken in a bag

Make an envelope out of 2 pieces of foil - I lay them on top of each other, fold it in half then turn in 2 edges and leave the top open. Then for JJ I put a couple of mini fillets of slice up a normal breast, a squeeze of lemon, a tomato quartered or a few cherry one and some herbs if there are any kicking about - you could use anything really. Fold down the last egde of the foil, put it in a baking tray and in a hot oven (220c) for about 20-25 mins. It is good for JJ as it stays really nice and soft and juicy and full of flavour.

For adults it is nice with white wine, bacon, mushrooms etc put in the bag.

Banana yogurt, berry yogurt

Another embarrassingly simple recipe (well not even a recipe really) but may provide inspiration for anyone struggling with healthy desserts.

JJ loves 1/2 a mashed banana (really ripe ones work best) mixed with a couple of tablespoons of greek yogurt. It is yummy and no sugar like most of the kiddies yogurts on sale.

We also nuke some berries (he likes blueberries best) for 1 min in the microwave and add these to some yogurt. If they are a bit sour I add a little dash of maple syrup to just sweeten them slightly.

Carrot Pancakes

Place 1/4 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 egg in a bowl, mix together and gradually whisk in 1/4 cup of milk. Add to this about 100g (2 carrots) finely grated and mix well. Melt some butter in a frying pan, add a table spoon of the batter for each pancake, cook till bubble appear, flip over and cook till golden.
Voila.
JJ like them spread with cream cheese.
I am going to try a spicy version with some ginger, cinnamon etc so will update when I've given it a go.

Cinnamon apples

So quick and easy it's almost embarrassing but JJ (and I) love them.

Just peel and core a couple of eating apples, slice into wedges, sprinkle with cinnamon, put in a bowl and cover with cling film, pierce it once and cook for 1 min in the microwave, stir, cook for another 30 seconds-1 min until soft but not mush. Delicious.

I like them with ice cream, JJ with natural greek yogurt.
You can also bake the wedges in the oven in a dish with a couple of blobs of butter for a less slippy version. I prefer the nuked ones though.

Quesadillas

You could use any filling but we did spinach and cheese (JJ loves it and trying to up the iron intake!)

to make 1 quesadilla you need
2 flour tortillas
some soft cheese
1 ball of frozen spinach
some grated cheddar

Cook and drain the spinach.
spread a thin layer of soft cheese over a tortilla, sprinkle over the chopped spinach and some grated cheese. Place the other tortilla on top.
Heat up a frying pan and when it is hot add the tortilla sandwhich (no oil). Cook for a couple of minutes until golden and a bit crispy then turn over and cook the other side.
I use a pizza cutter to cut it into small wedges.

Filled pancakes

Make a pancake batter (any recipe or double up the mini pancakes one)
Make the pancakes then add one of these fillings...

Spinach and ricotta
I used about 2-3 balls of frozen spinach which I cooked for about 5 mins then squeezed out the water and chopped up.
Meanwhile I fried off a finely chopped onion.
Mix the onion, spinach and 1/2 a tub of ricotta ( I reckon cottage cheese would also work)
Spread over a pancake and roll up. Let it cool a bit so it is easier to slice up into rings.

Berries and cream cheese.
I added a handful of blackberries, handful of raspberries (frozen or fresh) and some blueberries to a pan with a tiny sprinkle of sugar and cooke dit on a low heat for 10 mins or so until the fruit had broken down. Let it cool a bit.
Spread a pancake with a thin layer of philly and some berries and roll up and slice - messy but lovely!