This time of year is well known for one thing, chocolate! As relatives try to push this and other sweets upon you and your child, here are a few recipes to help you sneak the fruit and veg back in. I’ve developed these meals to bring out the fun and make meal times happy times. Join in with your child and go for a dunk in the Cheese Fun-Do or treat your family to the little Banana and Honey Drops, a light, pick-me up pudding to mark the coming of spring.
Banana and Honey Drops | 12 months+
Ingredients
• 2 ripe bananas
• Small handful of raisins
• 1tbs honey
• 4 sheets filo pastry
• 20g melted butter
Method
1 Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2 Mash the bananas with the raisins and honey.
3 Cut the filo sheets into squares about 12cm by 12cm.
4 Grease a muffin tin, one parcel per child is enough.
5 Use the melted butter to paint the filo squares then layer two of the squares on top of each other like a star. Place in your muffin tin, butter side facing down.
6 Add a teaspoon of the banana mixture in each one, then bring the sides up and pinch to seal.
7 Bake until golden (14-16 minutes) and drizzle with a little honey before serving.
Cheese Fun-Do | 12 months+
Ingredients
• 2tbs plain flour
• 50g butter
• 400ml milk
• 400g mild Cheddar, grated (for older children you can increase the strength of the cheese)
Method
1 Over a low heat melt the butter and mix in the flour until smooth.
Add the milk a third at a time, mixing with a balloon whisk to keep the mixture from becoming lumpy.
2 Add the cheese and keep stirring until you have a smooth, thick mixture ready for dunking.
3 You can choose from any favourite vegetables, crackers, meats or even breadsticks to dunk into your cheesy fun-do.
We decided on tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, crackers, mini sweetcorn, green beans and croutons for dipping.
TOP TIP: Make flags out of cocktail sticks and paper, and use them to help you dip. Or try a game to see who can collect the most sticks.
