Pack In Their Five-A-Day With Help From Annabel Karmel

Mealtimes can often be a battleground between parents and toddlers. As a parent you want your child to have a healthy, nutritious and tasty diet, but persuading them it’s a good idea is a different matter!

To help combat fussy eating, I’ve gathered some of my top hidden fruit and veggie recipes to get tots eating their all-important 5-a-day. Because ultimately, what kids can’t see they can’t pick out.

Good luck!

Hidden Veg Smoothie

Makes 2 glasses

Ingredients

• 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 large ripe, pear, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 200ml pineapple juice
• 100ml water

Method

1. Measure all of the ingredients into a juicer. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into glasses. Best served chilled.

Mini Vegetable Balls

Makes 24 veggie balls

Ingredients

• 2 carrots, peeled and grated
• 1 small courgette, grated
• 75g butternut squash, peeled and grated
• 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
• ½ tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 50g mushroom chopped
• 50g parmesan, grated
• 150g breadcrumbs
• 1 small egg, beaten
• 1 ½ tbsp tomato ketchup, plus extra to serve
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• A little plain flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Put the grated carrots, courgette and squash into a clean tea towel or muslin cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
2. Tip into a mixing bowl and add all the remaining ingredients except the flour and the olive oil. Stir to combine and, using damp hands, shape the mixture into 24 little balls. Put the flour on a plate and roll the ball in it to coat.
3. Heat the oil in a larger frying pan. Add the balls and fry for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan.
4. Allow to cool a little and serve with ketchup.

Hidden Vegetable Bolognese

Makes 8 portions

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 small leek, thinly sliced
• 1⁄2 stick celery, chopped
• 1⁄4 small red pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 small carrot, peeled and grated
• 1⁄2 dessert apple, peeled, cored and grated
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 400g tinned chopped tomatoes
• 450g minced beef
• 4 tablespoons tomato purée
• 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 250 ml beef stock
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and sauté the vegetables, apple and garlic for 10 minutes, until softened. Transfer to a blender and add the tinned tomatoes, then whiz until smooth.
2. Wipe out the frying pan with a sheet of kitchen paper, then add the mince and fry over a medium-high heat until browned, breaking up the mince with a wooden spoon. If your child likes a fine texture, you can transfer the browned mince to the food processor and whiz for a few seconds.
3. Add the tomato and vegetable sauce to the frying pan with the mince, and stir in the tomato purée, ketchup, stock and oregano.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook for 40–45 minutes, until the sauce is thickened. Season to taste and serve with spaghetti

Peach and Strawberry Jellies

Makes 4 jellies

Ingredients

• 5 gelatine leaves
• 200ml raspberry and cranberry cordial
• 300ml lemonade
• 100g strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 200g tinned peach slices in syrup, cut into pieces

Method

1. Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for 5 minutes.
2. Pour the cordial and lemonade into a saucepan and heat until hand-hot. Remove the pan from the heat.
3. Squeeze the water out of the gelatine, then add the leaves to the saucepan. Stir until the gelatine has dissolved.
4. Divide the strawberries and peaches between 4 bowls or glasses. Pour over the jelly and leave to set in the fridge for 6 hours, or overnight.

For more recipe inspiration download Annabel’s Essential Guide to Feeding Your Baby & Toddler app. Access more than 220 delicious recipes, as well as a host of features to keep your family on track and enjoying meal times. Download the new version from the App Store now (£3.99) or visit www.annabelkarmel.com.