Since getting really interested in making food for my children I have quickly realised that there are certain ingredients that are a must have so I always make sure I have them in my kitchen.
In the freezer:
Poached Salmon – I buy A LOT of salmon. Its such a great food to feed kids (although my son wont eat it but that’s another story) and I have found lots of different things to do with it. I poach the fillets in the microwave with a little bit of milk for 3-4 minutes then I portion it up and freeze it in Tupperware containers for use at a later time.
Mashed potato – I make mash and freeze it in portions. Once its defrosted you can mix it with lots of other foods or just have it as an easy side dish. It takes 2 minutes to defrost in a microwave which is great if you have nothing prepared for hungry children!
Pitta bread – I buy big packs of pitta and always freeze it in portions (wrap each pitta in clingfilm then you don’t have to defrost the whole pack). 30 seconds in the microwave and 1 minute in the toaster and they taste as fresh as when you bought them.
Gnocchi – I portion up uncooked gnocchi (in Tupperware containers or just wrap it in clingfilm) and freeze it. When I want to use it I take it out a couple hours before and then it takes 2 minutes to cook. I grate some cheese over it and maybe some pasta sauce and it’s a great, easy, healthy meal.
Pasta sauce – I have to admit I still use weaning trays (like big ice cube trays) as I find them so useful in portioning out the right amount of sauce for my kids. I always have homemade pasta sauce in my freezer and once the sauce is frozen in the tray I pop them out and put them in a freezer bag. Then when I make the kids pasta I just take out the required amount of cubes, defrost them and its ready.
In the store cupboard:
Flour (plain and self raising) – it seems silly to even say this is a staple but I now do quite a bit of baking for my kids (the baby loves various savoury and fruit muffins) and I get through quite a bit of flour so I always make sure I have enough in the cupboard to last me.
Fruit puree –I don’t feed my baby purees anymore but I still buy “fruit pots” and banana puree pouches. I find they are great for baking (banana makes an excellent sugar substitute) and rather than waiting for a banana to turn nice and brown and ready for cooking with I always have pouches to hand. Also puree is great mixed in with porridge and my famous baby “flapjacks”. I learnt quickly with my 2nd child that life really is too short to puree fruit yourself!
Breadsticks – both my kids love breadsticks so I always have a box in my cupboard as they are a really simple snack to give and much healthier than chocolate!
Couscous – My friends tell me I am obsessed with couscous but it’s the most amazing ingredient as when its cooked and mixed with egg and other ingredients it takes on a cake / muffin like texture so is fantastic for all things muffin / cakey.
Passata – you can buy passata in jars, bottles or cartons. I always have lots in my cupboard as I use it in so many ways. Mixed into mince it gives a nice flavour to burgers. Just on its own with some grated cheese and poured over pasta makes a very quick pasta sauce. For my picky eater I puree up veg and mix it with passata for a hidden veg pasta sauce.
Pasta – Anyone who has children and doesn’t have pasta in their store cupboard quite frankly needs to get out to the supermarket immediately and buy some! My son would happily live on it but it really is such a useful thing to have as it only takes 10 mins to cook and with a bit of grated cheese is a simple quick meal when you are stretched for time.
In the Fridge:
Eggs – again this seems a silly thing to even point out but I use eggs in so much of my cooking it’s a small disaster if I don’t have any in the fridge! I use them in burgers, couscous fingers, fish fingers and I often give my children scrambled eggs and toast.
Equipment:
Hand blender – there are a lot of fancy gadgets out there to help you wean your child. Some chop, some dice, some chop and dice, some steam, some defrost and some probably make you a nice cup of tea while you do all the above. I use a hand blender and a good old fashioned saucepan. My hand blender is 6 years old and has lasted through many a puree, soup, sauce and cake mix.
Silicone muffin tins / cases – As you will see I make a lot of muffin type foods and I think my enthusiasm for everything muffin shaped stems from the fact I have silicone muffin cases. They don’t need greasing – all you do is peel them off the muffin and they wash up beautifully.
Teflon / Silicone baking sheets – I think I would rather give my husband up than get rid of these amazing things. I have the Delia Smith baking sheet liners but there are lots of other similar products out there. Since using them I have never had one piece of food stick to them and I use them on a daily basis. Even my stickiest recipe slides off them with no trouble.