Wren Kitchens share three recipes perfect for sneaking vegetables into meals

On average, just 9% of UK children currently eat their five-a-day[1]. With fussy eaters to cater for at the dinner table, what can parents do when they’re out of options and short on time?

To help families across the UK at dinnertime, Wren Kitchens has shared their top hidden veggie recipes. These three delicious recipes will help your family get their five a day, as well as being tasty enough for the fussiest of eaters.

Healthy mac and cheese with veggies

Ingredients:

2 tbsp plain flour
1 courgette, finely diced
2 tbsp butter
200ml milk
1 large onion finely diced
1 cauliflower
300g macaroni pasta
100g grated cheese
1. Finely dice the onion and set to one side for later

2. Cut the cauliflower into large florets and peel and cut up the courgette

3. Steam until tender and then puree

4. Heat the milk

5. Heat butter in a saucepan

6. Add the onion and cook until soft.

7. Add the flour and cook for around two minutes whilst stirring

8. Gradually add the milk to the saucepan with the onions

9. Bring the sauce to the boil, then reduce the heat. You should have a thick but smooth sauce.

10. Stir through the grated cheese until melted

11. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in your vegetable puree to create a smooth cheese sauce.

12. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees

13. Stir in the cheese sauce through cooked pasta

14. Pour the pasta into an ovenproof dish and top with grated cheese

15. Bake until the cheese is golden and melted on top

Hidden veg tomato soup

Ingredients:

1 sweet potato, roughly chopped into dice with the skin still on
1 red pepper de-seeded and cut into chunks
2 cloves of garlic peeled and chopped
1 onion, peeled and cut into chunks
300ml chopped tomatoes
100ml coconut milk
300ml vegetable stock
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
1. Heat oven to 190C/170/gas 5. Place the potato, red pepper, onion and garlic on a baking tray. Season with salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Drizzle in oil and roast for 30 minutes.

2. Blend the roasted vegetables, then place in a large saucepan with the coconut milk, vegetable stock, chopped tomatoes and parsley. Bring the soup to a gentle bubble for 20-25 minutes and stir often.

3. Check for seasoning and serve with bread.

Courgette brownies

Ingredients:

1 large egg
2 cups shredded courgette
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup white sugar
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1. Preheat oven to 350F (175C)

2. Grease and flour 9×13 inch baking dish

3. In a bowl, mix the oil, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract

4. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and add to your mixture

5. Fold in the courgette and walnuts

6. Spread evenly into your baking dish

7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until your brownies spring back when gently touched

8. Serve with ice cream

These recipes will hopefully help in making mealtimes easier for families across the country, perfectly timed for the New Year!