Originally made for the adults and surprisingly devoured by the kids, this is a super healthy alternative to regular bolognese and if the kids love it, we love it. It goes onto the list of easy toddler meal ideas for us.
200g sunflower seeds - soaked in water for 4 hours
2 punnets of cherry tomatoes (use tinned if not available / not in season)
Extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic
1 brown onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1/2 jar passata
2 cups veg stock
1 cup of water - may use to loosen as it cooks
If using fresh tomatoes, roast them in a 200°c oven in olive oil and put the unpeeled garlic with them. Roast for 20 mins or until caramelising.
Sauté onion and carrot for 5 mins.
Blitz the sunflower seeds in a food processor and add to the onion.
Add the tomatoes to the onion.
Add the passata and stock to the mixture. Bring to boil and then a low simmer. Keep topping up with water if required. Cook until the tomato sauce has cooked to a nice deep colour and the sunflower seeds are soft.
Mix with your favourite pasta and cheese!
Sunflower seeds are a great addition to our diets as they provide a source of zinc and selenium, known to support our immune system, helping us fight off viruses and other infections. Additionally they are a good source of vitamin E and other phytonutrients associated with reduced inflammation.
The regular consumption of nuts and seeds, including sunflower seeds, is also associated with health benefits such as reduced blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels. What amazing benefits from teeny tiny seeds!
Feeding the kids can always feel like a bit of a battle, having a stash of easy toddler meals in the freezer is setting you up for success on those hard days. Recipe ideas for kids can bit a bit hit and miss, always try new foods with the kids more than once, it can often take them 5-10 times before they accept it! When toddler meal ideas become too overwhelming, don't forget to stash the freezer with The Whole Bowl Co.'s collection of tried and tested meals, see our Mini Bowls Collection.