Encourage exploration of healthy foods

Introducing several new recipes

If your child enjoys fish, like salmon, why not try making a fish pie, which includes salmon, along with some new types of white fish they have not tried before, like pollock and prawns, topped with mashed potato? It is a tasty and colourful dish, especially if you serve it with their favourite vegetables on the side. Or you can try making salmon into fish cakes using half salmon and half white fish.
If you have a child who enjoys pasta, try making a very simple, but tasty, tomato sauce, which you can then use in a wide range of pasta dishes from spaghetti bolognese to rigatoni baked in the oven with feta cheese.
Simply lay 1.5kg of ripe tomatoes on a baking tray so that they fit snuggly alongside each other, and pour 4 – 5 tablespoons of olive oil over them. Cook in the oven at 125°C / 250°F for three hours for a slow roast. Once roasted, add a handful of fresh basil leaves and blend until smooth. You could add the tiniest bit of salt, to bring out the sweetness of the tomatoes, but this is up to you.

You can then use your sauce for filling savory pancakes and topping pizzas as well as for pasta sauces.
Children often like to handle their food. If you have a little one who likes to do this, dishes like turkey or chicken kebabs work well – taking special care with sharp skewers, of course! Thread chicken or turkey pieces onto a skewer with cherry tomatoes, pieces of sweet red peppers and small pieces of red onion then place under the grill for 15-20 minutes, turning regularly.
Do not forget comfort food! Easy to eat dishes like risotto, with anything from mushrooms to peas or mixed vegetables - such as tiny chunks of carrots and squash, are a delicious and a fun way to introduce new foods. If your child is continuously fussy and you are concerned about your child's eating habits, you should contact your healthcare professional for more advice and support.