We were given a great opportunity to try out some Tilda Kids basmati rice pouches – and fortunately they arrived at a perfect time. We did Baby Led Weaning with H, so always eat together for our meals, so it’s rare one of us eats alone with the others later – however, I’ve started a new Pilates class, and had a social evening, so within a week we had a chance to try a couple of them out.

Tilda have introduced a new character – Tilli the Elephant – who is helping promote the rice and veggies pouches – which come in Cheese & Tomato, Sunshine Vegetable, Sweet Vegetable & Wholegrain and Mild & Sweet Curry flavours.

Each pouch is 125g, and takes 40 seconds in the microwave which was great as I was rushing to get ready as well as get H’s food ready – it was convenient and healthy – it counts as one of your five a day. The sachets can be stored in the cupboard and don’t need to be kept chilled – and there are no preservatives involved – Tilda use a steaming process to part cook the rice, with the packs then hermetically sealed, so none are needed!

They’re not designed to be eaten on their own – you’d prepare your food as normal but there’s the convenience side – I tend to prepare a load of vegetables and some Quorn to use over two nights (as we have about 40 minutes from getting home to eating).

There’s also some purée in the sachet hidden away if your little one is a bit fussy, as well as small pieces of vegetables in each pouch.

As each sachet is basmati rice, (and having had gestational diabetes I know this is the best kind of rice to have as far as carbohydrate intake goes), they’re much less starchy than other kinds of rice which is a huge plus point.

Now – the result. H wasn’t sure about them to start with (she does like rice) and initially picked out and ate the vegetables she liked – but this was more due to it being a new flavour for her – and she’d soon tucked in. I’d say there’s more in a pouch than you’d use for one portion, so I helped her finish it! Would I buy these? Definitely if I have another week like this one – the convenience of having the food ready quickly is something which I need.

You can buy the Tilda Rice Sachets from Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado and Asda, each pack has a rrp of £1.15

We were sent the rice pouches to review, all opinions are that of H and I!

We were sent a couple of recipes to try out – we’ve not had a chance yet, but with the long weekend looming I’m sure we’ll get a chance…

BEANS MEANS BOATS
(Makes 14 boats)

Ingredients
1 pouch Tilda Kids Cheese & Tomato Rice
1 tbsp. sunflower or vegetable oil
1 pack (160g) chopped flavoured chicken, for example barbeque
1 small tin BBQ baked beans (200g)
1 pack Taco Trays
Salt & Pepper
Grated cheese or cheese strings

Method
Heat the oil in a large frying pan.
Roughly chop the chicken pieces and add to the oil.
Heat through for 2-3 minutes
Add 1 pouch of Tilda Kids Cheese & Tomato Rice and stir in.
Add the beans and heat thoroughly for 3-4 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Follow instructions to heat Taco trays.
Fill each tray with the beany mix and top with your favourite cheese or shredded cheese strings.

FUNNY FACE FRITTATAS

Makes 24 Frittatas
Ingredients
1 pouch Tilda Kids Sunshine Vegetable Rice
1 small onion, finely chopped, about 50g
50g, cooked broccoli, cut into small pieces
4 tbsps canned Sweetcorn, drained
100g grated cheddar cheese
4 eggs, beaten
A few snipped chives
Salt & pepper

Method
Pre-heat the oven to 200°c, 180°c fan or Gas Mark 6
Empty contents of 1 pouch Tilda Kids Sunshine Vegetable Rice into a large jug and stir in the onion, cooked broccoli, Sweetcorn, cheese and chives.
In a separate bowl beat the eggs together.
Add the eggs to the rice mix.
Season well.
Grease a non-stick 12 hole mini muffin tin
Use half the mix divide between the 12 holes
Cook in the oven for 15 minutes.
Cook another batch.