THE HELP-MUM-GET-THROUGH CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN 2022

(SAVE THESE RECIPES FOR DECEMBER WHEN 67GOHNGON50 TAKES A BREAK)

Judging from the complaints after dropping this over the past few years, partners and kids love to make - and eat! - family meals while Mom concentrates on the big event...

'I guess if I want any dinner, I'll have to do it myself!'

And, with apologies, this post on helping the Chief Cook & Bottle Washer (usually but necessarily Mum) get through the Christmas marathon resumes

This posts' recipes are wonderful for kids to eat and, in some cases, make.  And they won't be difficult for Dad/partner/another relative to organise, with or without the kids' help.  

Many of the recipes are budget-friendly or skinny or low/no sugar or make-ahead.  Or all of the above.  

But the prices do not reflect recent inflation; note the dates on the indidividual posts.

The dishes are surprisingly easy considering how tasty and satisfying they are.  They were road-tested on guinea pigs of all ages and the response was enthusiastic.    

STARTERS

Silky Noodles in Broth

Cheats' make-your-own Rustic Tomato Soup: easy protein-rich with pulses; frugal; anti-inflammatory, Triple Duty

Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup: classic & irresistible; wallet-friendly; vegan option. Not that long ago, this soup was the rage in Chinese restaurants.  Thick, luscious and nubbly, it was punctuated with succulent chicken and gorgeous threads of egg - exciting, tasty and richly satisfying.

Silky Noodles in Broth, Triple Duty: great use for leftovers, easy, quick, tasty; serve in sturdy bowls that don't tip over easily, with Chinese ceramic spoons if you have them.  For very small kids, serve warm, not hot; cut up noodles in manageable lengths and maybe serve with forks, like spaghetti

White Bean Soup, Creamy: money-saving dairy-free white bean soup; high protein; Triple Duty; wonderful in basic form but easily tweaked for sassy variations

Caponata: Mediterranean Aubergine Dip/Spread for kids' palates which older kids will love to make themselves; with  a hint of Sweet & Sour; stovetop; easy 




Hard-boiled eggs pillowed in White Sauce: childhood favourite; lower-fat; frugal; easily digested

 


SIDES/SALAD

Mediterranean Tomatoes: so simple; so sensational; so wallet-friendly

Apple & Cashew Nut Slaw: crunchy & sweet with a touch of maple syrup; so pretty looking kids will happily tuck into the fruit & veg 

Low-fat un-fried Rice: 'cleaner' version of Fried Rice  without the fat or expense; soft plump grains with lashings of peas & omelette; very simple prep; great with spare ribs 

Family Delight Baked Beans: Thrifty; nearly Sugar-free; better than you-know-who's and better for you; Triple Duty, Slow-Cooker; Vegan & kids'  option, prep & cook ahead; plenty of ideas on how to serve 

MAINS

Make Your Own Pizza

Stupendous Pizza Dough is easy-peasy & rests in the fridge overnight.  Make your own tomato sauce or zhuzz up tomato paste; choose mozarella, cheddar or other cheeses.  Fab variations include sausage (veggie or carnivore) with grapes & mozzarella; mushroom & cheddar; potato & pesto. Little hands love putting on the toppings.

Sausage & Grape Pizza

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Shortcut 1-Pot Macaroni Cheese: minimum effort, maximum enjoyment; quick & easy. Great for teenagers.  Add small balls of minced meat pached in water,  if you like.

Bunless burgers with dark mushroom gravy:

 

Simple, much-loved North American classic for hungry kids & frazzled cooks; thrifty, easy, lower-fat; part prepped in advance

 

Lemon-Pepper Chicken Wings: Make-Ahead.  Originally intended for pensioners, these succulent wings became a treat for the entire family.  Chicken wings are a thrifty high-protein food but older folk often complain they are 'bony & tough'.  These are marinated overnight; rolled in flour mixed with lemon zest and pepper and baked with seriously tasty, succulent results.   Serve with cucumber slices, tomatoes and lettuce; make more than you think you'll need; they're great cold.

 

Tuna Casserole with Crispy Potato Chip Topping: popular favourite that kids (and adults) hoover up without realising how good it is for them; easy peasy; option for stovetop version

Sausage Hash: kid/ults love this delicious frugal, healthy dish which uses up leftover protein; the big draw is the crispy-edged 'taters ; option for fish & other meats 

Honey & Garlic Salmon Rice: tasty carb-rich meal boosts energy in freezing weather

7-minute Protein Fried Noodles: triple duty; vegetarian & carnivore options

 

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

Chilli Hot Dogs: 

American fun-food, drive-in classic but vegan








Thai Larb (hot spicy mince) a la 67: Vegan,
quick cook, low fat, wallet-friendly, meat option

Tantalising Cheats' Tortilla Espagnol: 

All-time cheap & cheerful, quick & easy favourite.  Stonkingly delicious Spanish-style baked onion & potato omelette, using chips from the local chippie. (Support our fish'n chips shops!) Or try frozen chips OR even make from scratch with raw potatoes .

SAUCES/DIPS

Lower-sugar Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce:

Low-sugar Sweet Chilli
Dipping Sauce

amazing flavours totally unlike bottled chilli sauces; ambrosial whatever your age, excellent paired with crispy but not greasy Un-fried Crispy Chinese Dumplings:

Instant Jam/Compote: easy-peasy, minimum sugar; almost instant; terrific on toast; use up fresh or frozen berries

Orange & Sesame Marinade for meat & fish 
( all the above recipes in Sauces/Dips)

QUICK BREADS

World's Easiest Cheese Muffins?

Just 4 ingredients in one bowl, prepped in 5 minutes = fabulously cheesy muffins for soups, stews or breakfast; egg-free

Buttermilk Pancakes (from across the pond): fabulous; batter sits overnight; pancakes are thick and tender; make enough for mum to have on a tray in bed




Cinnamon Rolls, No-Knead: terrific no-sweat treat made the night before baking; so many people have made these yummy buns an annual Christmas morning breakfast

TREATS/DESSERT

Peachy Fruit Sponge: with the help of supermarked tinned fruit, ever-so-quick & tasty;  sponge batter is baked to tender, fluffy perfection on top of the tinned fruit & juice and served hot/warm; easy

Savoury Party Popcorn: Easy-peasy; make it yourself on the stovetop; saves loads of money and tastes delicious; various toppings; lower-salt, healthier

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: crisp, slightly chewy cookies with an appealling texture; high in fibre (slowing down the absorption of sugar and helping  digestion); orange zest replaces vanilla.  Slightly healthier.  If there are children in the household, this recipe is perfect for encouraging/teaching kids to bake. 

Healthier Caramel Apple Sauce: kids can help prepare but not cook; fresh fruit & spices temper sweetness; guinea pigs called it a 'taste explosion'.  Serve over ice cream, stirred through yoghurt or with apple pie. 

Orange Surprise Mini Cakes: They look like fried egg buns but are nothing of the sort!  They're a iry fluffy Vegetarian with Vegan option mini cakes; butter & egg free  with a surprise juicy filling

Kids' cooking: Skinnier Chocolatella Mini-Volcano Cakes:  Double-Chocolate & Mini-Volcanoes are stuffed with cream whipped with chocolate & hazelnutspread; they're Skinnier - lower-fat/sugar/preservative - and portions are kept small.  One for a rainy wet day stuck inside (having bought the ingredients in advance) and will bring much pleasure to kiddy bakers.

FREEZE AHEAD CHRISTMAS GOODIES

How to...Prep & Freeze Fancy Sandwiches for Kidults & Tea

Peppermint Candy Swirl Cookies: kid-friendly both to eat and to make; 2-stage bake 

Pfeffernusse: German Chocolate Nut kisses: glorious spiced chocolate balls of loveliness  that are both cake-like and dense, in a nice way!  Makes dozens & dozens that freeze well and can be baked in batches throughout the season!

 Recipes for kids, partners or reatives to help Mum 

through Christmas, from 2015 on NavBar: How to...

These recipes have been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.