"Who Doesn't Love Meatballs?" Review: Little Dish

I find this age really difficult to cater for. And I mean literally, 'cater' for. When The Boy was a baby, I made my own purees. When he was over one, I still made mini versions of our food for him but in smaller portions which were batch-cooked and frozen. Up to a couple of months ago The Boy, was quite happy to eat 'family foods', maybe they were more 'dry' than he was used to, but he was fine. About a month and a half ago he seemed to regress with his food; he had bad teething pains and a really nasty cold and sore throat, so for a little time he was almost back on jars! I've found it hard over the past few months to ensure that he is eating properly, and 'enough' to help him grow.

When we were offered the opportunity to test Little Dish meals I was more than happy to shout "YES PLEASE" at the kind soul at the other end of the tweet!

Little Dish meals are perfect meals for toddlers. They are fresh and natural food, with no added sugar or salt. For me this is an excellent option; I was very careful and controlling of what went into my baby's tummy for the first year and I fail to see why I should stop now. I want him to grow up healthy and strong, with a positive attitude to food. Little Dish meals are perfect to accommodate that. Each meal contains a portion of vegetables in them too.

Since returning to work part-time, I am no longer able to cook from fresh as often as I'd like. This is another reason why Little Dish meals are perfect. They can be either cooked from frozen or from the fridge, and can also be cooked in the oven or microwave. Perfection!

The range includes Beef and Spinach Canneloni, Chicken Risotto, Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake, Vegetable Lasagne, Chicken and Butternut Squash Pie, and Mild Chicken Korma amongst lots of other lovely recipes.

We were sent Monty's Favourite Spaghetti and Meatballs (in a really cute little chill-bag) to taste-test. This is due to be launched on 5th July in Tesco and 20th July in Waitrose and Ocado, so we felt quite important really. The Boy absolutely adored it and completely wolfed it down! He's never actually had meatballs before so this was a new one for him, and with him not being completely keen on beef I was even more happy to see him eating them! The portion was a perfect size for him, he very almost finished it all, an older child would find it very satisfying. The sauce was possible a little bit more spicy than he is used to, but that is more my fault for not introducing him to more varied tastes and sticking to the bland. It certainly wasn't a problem, The Boy was seriously keen to "eat it all up mummy!"

We're off to do a little shopping in a minute and I am using the voucher on the inside of the packaging to help buy another one for him to pop in the fridge or freezer for use in the week. Not only has having a voucher impressed me, but I am seriously impressed that they have included a voucher for use in the Republic of Ireland! Thoughtful people at Little Dish aren't they?

You can buy Little Dish meals in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Waitrose Deliver and Ocado.com. Find out more about Little Dish on Facebook, Twitter or at www.LittleDish.co.uk. I thoroughly recommend a visit to their website, lots of fantastic information on there, there's even recipes posted each month taken from the Little Dish Favourites Cookbook.

I was sent this product for review free of charge, however my opinions are my own.