Weekly Menu Ideas: 24-03

No Palette Fits All

A common problem in every household is that not everyone eats all meals, in some cases it's very extreme for example a peanut or lactose allergy, which can be pretty stressful. A more common problem that every household faces is that what one person loves to eat is generally not loved by all. This week I had great success in getting my younger son to eat, he literally gave each meal a 10. On the other hand, my older son hated each meal and did not finish a single meal.

I often wonder how parents who do not give their kids an option do it. I love healthy food as much as the next person but I will give my kids any food as long as they eat.

I often wonder if it was the same for me when I was growing up, there is nothing I love more now than my mom’s cooking. I hope that one day my kids feel the same way about my cooking.

This week, I thought about trying foods that incorporate a lot of vegetables but also give are more relatable for kids to eat. Hopefully, I can tip the scales in my favour.

The Kapsalon

It comes with the territory that when you move to a new country naturally you also try new things. It’s the foods that look a bit dodgy but actually taste amazing once you give them a try, I love chip rolls and polony specials as much as the next person but you must admit that for a person who has never been to South Africa before it will be really weird as a concept.

Coming from South Africa, I immediately loved the kapsalon, which is essentially fries topped with salad vegetables and doner chicken topped with melted cheese. In case you are tired of the same old, this is a delicious meal to try.

Weekly Menu - 24 March

Monday

School Lunch: Mini Burgers

Dinner: Street Corn Chicken Bowls

Tips for this idea:

This is a super lazy dinner, you can pop your spiced chicken in the air fryer or oven and make some rice and fry some corn. This can all happen simultaneously. Great substitutes for the chicken as always is brown lentils, spiced and cooked makes a great vegan meal.

Tuesday:

School Lunch: Chicken Mayo Pancakes

Dinner: Pesto Gnocchi Pasta

Tips for this idea:

This is a favorite for me, it is literally prepared in 5 minutes if you have store bought gnocchi and pesto. If you would like to add more vegtables to this, you can always add some sundried tomatoe or spinach to add some extra nutrients. If you switch out the cream for a vegan substitute the meal is vegan friendly.

Wednesday:

School Lunch: Cinnabon

Dinner: Wraps and Fries

Tips for this idea:

Wednesdays are always exhausting, wraps are a great way to create ease for yourself. You can add any ingredients that make it easy for you, and everyone has the variety they desire.

Thursday:

School Lunch: Pizza Rolls

Dinner: Salt and Pepper Sausages and Potato

Tips for this idea:

This is really easy meal to make it requires one pot and can be eaten with rice and also bread rolls. Vegan and vegetarian sausages have made strides since the soy days, it is worthwhile to incorporate the vegetable based sausages into your diet. If not, as a substitute mushroom slices cooked in butter with potato also tastes amazing.

Friday:

School Lunch: Toasted Cheese

Dinner: Kapsalon

Tips for this idea:

The Kapsalon is a traditional meal in the Netherlands, famous for being eaten when stores couldn't get rid of their leftovers from the previous day. It almost like a pizza. Toppings in the Netherlands are not limited to chicken or lamb doner but also includes falafel.

Saturday:

Lunch: Chicken Wings

Dinner: Spinach, Basil Mafaldine with Grilled Steak

Tips for this idea:

This meal is essentially a cream based pasta, with spianch and basil and then once cooked you can add steak to the top. For vegans and vegetarians, the pasta should suffice but feel free to add any additional protein as a topping.

Sunday:

Supper: Moroccan Fish Stew

Tips for this idea:

I saw a new recipe this week that I have been super excited to try, it is a basic recipe that you can make but adds a good amount of vegetables. You do not need to include the fish if you are vegan, the meal itself contains a significant amount of nutrients.

I hope this makes this week easier for you. If you feel like you this is something you need for the weeks ahead, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas for next week. ♥️