#AfterSchoolChefs Challenge With Birds Eye

Being new to the world of nurseries and schools, I’m fast becoming aware from talking to other parents of how stressful September can be for them. 


Chunk has been going to nursery for three half days per week since April and he loves it. Thankfully his nursery do not shut during the summer holidays, so I was still able to have those precious hours to do some freelance work in peace, but I’m already dreading those long six week holidays that I’m sure will be with me in a flash, followed by having to adjust back into the school routine.


Some of the parents I have spoken to have said that the first couple of weeks back to school are difficult because everyone in the family is having to readjust to the weekday routines and some of this stress can be with organising meals around school runs, work and homework. 


Birds Eye have set me a challenge to find easy, quick but tasty meals for after school and they kindly gave me some vouchers to try out some of their products. 

Some of my meal attempts with the great Birds Eye range

My Top Tips


In terms of getting things done in a hurry, I am becoming a bit of a pro at this, because even though Chunk isn’t at school, we still go out a lot (to try and tire his hyper-self out) and I don’t like to be in the kitchen too long in fear of what he is getting up to in the meantime! 


So my top tips for speeding the dinner process up is: prepare in advance wherever possible and invest in a slow cooker!


I love my new slow cooker, as I can chop everything up whilst he is eating his breakfast, and then leave it to do it’s thang for the entire day. I have never tasted such gorgeous meat than from a slow cooker either, as it’s so soft and tender!


I also love making big batches of things so I can then freeze some for another meal the following week, meaning a day free of cooking! 


Easy Meals


The ultimate easy meal for me is always fish fingers, waffles and a salad or beans, and even as an adult I still love fish finger sandwiches! 


Chunk loves fish fingers, which is handy for me, because unfortunately he doesn’t like many fish dishes. I love fish and know how important it is for our brain development and memories to have the omega 3 that fish provides, so I’m always looking for ways to ensure Chunk has this regularly. 


One of the dishes I love to batch cook and freeze is chilli, and I tried it with Birds Eye Rice Fusions, which is thankfully a lot quicker (and tastier) than me cooking my own rice as it’s just three minutes in the microwave! This complimented my chilli well and is definitely going to be a staple in my freezer. The rice also contained Mediterranean vegetables so I would also happily have this on its own for lunch. 


Birds Eye have also created some fab, quick recipes on their Facebook page which are worth a look.


 “This post is an entry for #Afterschoolchefs Challenge, sponsored by Birds Eye. Learn more on the Birds Eye Facebook Page.”


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