Need CHEAP kid friendly recipes - please help

Executive Member Joined: Nov 14 2009 Posts: 360

Due to recent circumstances I have to drastically cut my food costs Sad

I have two little boys who are obviously picky eaters, especially when it comes to the consistency of food. I really need to be creative now and think of nutritious foods that are CHEAP. While I am not a big spender, and rarely buy meat other than shabbos, I have never been one to skimp when it comes to chicken and fresh veggies or herbs. I now have to and with picky kids who don't do tuna & beans I am a little clueless.

Other than egg based meals (omelettes, frittatas....) does anyone have ideas of inexpensive but relatively healthy and well balanced meals? Please provide recipes when applicable

here are a few
1) spaghetti pizza
http://culinarykosher.com/recipe/Spaghetti-Pizza/44
2)Tuna Quiche
http://culinarykosher.com/recipe/Tuna-Quiche/115
3)Chocolate chip cheese mini pancakes
http://culinarykosher.com/recipe/Chocolate-Chip-Cheese-Mini-Pancakes/234
4)Rice Cheese an Tomatoes
http://culinarykosher.com/recipe/Rice-Cheese-and-Tomatoes/737

Good luck!

OK I wouldn't call this healthy, but the occasional night of pita pizzas? (sauce and cheese on pita)

Here is a recipe for homemade fish sticks:

Fresh fish...I used Flounder and Nile Perch
Wasa Light Rye Crackers
Olive oil
Onion Powder
Garlic Salt
Mrs. Dash Original
Prima Spices Curry Powder
Eggs
Servings recalculate

Preparation
Pulse Wasa Crackers in food processor until ground. Add onion powder, garlic salt, Mrs. Dash and curry powder to taste. Drizzle in some olive oil. Pulse a few times to blend.
Set aside.
Crack and check at least two eggs in a bowl, more if using more than two fillets of fish. Beat eggs.
take fish and cut into fish stick size pieces.
Dip fish pieces into egg, and then into cracker mixture.
repeat until finished.
If cracker mixture gets lumpy because of the egg drippings, return it all to the food processor, reblend, and continue dipping.
Place breaded fish on a baking dish sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
bake at approximately 400/425 untill outside looks a bit browned. The thicker the fish slices are the longer it will need to bake.

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 17 2008 Posts: 3555

Think of something cheap that they like, but that isn't too healthy - like pasta. Then think of things you can add to make it healthier. You can mash up some beans and mix them into the pasta sauce. Or do the same with silken tofu.

Same thing with pizza - mix things into the sauce, add vegetable topping that they'll eat.

If they eat meatloaf or meatballs, you can use very little meat and add a ton of wheat germ, oat bran, some eggs, and even sauted vegetables like grated carrots to the meat. Doesn't hike up the cost much.

Much hatzlacha! I hope that things get easier soon.

Silver Member Joined: Oct 24 2010 Posts: 992

If they won't eat meatballs but like pasta, how about making a meat sauce for pasta? That way they get the protein, carbs and iron.
Quiches are great too because you have cheese, can put vegi's of your choice.
I like making big pots of soup with chicken and vegis or you can make a hearty minestrone soup with meat/chicken and veg, serve with bread and it's a full meal.

Gold Member Joined: May 27 2010 Posts: 2142

Mac and cheese...Any cookbook website has it

Posted: Mon, Mar 14 2011, 2:39 am Post subject:

OK I never kept up with my blog (maybe I'll start again one day...

but this recipe is a hit with my kids, and it's cheap.

http://fastfrugalkosher.blogspot.com/2010/04/lentil-patties-step-by-step.html
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Senior Member Joined: Dec 14 2010 Posts: 105

are you interested in a falafel recipe?