Any ideas?

I cook once a week for 3 and 4 year old grandchildren which includes dad and mum. The usual is shephereds pie, fish pie and soups. Usually mushroom and tomato. I find the soups I make could do with more flavour. They like chicken, mince and fish. Any new ideas what to cook? Difficult to find food for all the family to eat and enjoy!

DD sometimes adds a bit of curry powder, or something similar, to the soup she makes for us. It is always very delicious.

Chicken fajitas. Then everyone can put their own wraps together.

Thanks. I shall experimenting with my curry powder. Am sure it will make a difference. Would you believe I have been cooking for over 42yrs for my family and never had any trouble coming up with meals to satisfy them but cooking for 'mum, dad' and grandchildren seems hardly to get it right!��

Yes. I believe that! is it because things have changed so much food wise? Plain old meat, veg and mash is no longer the norm?

I find that if I'm adding spice to a soup, or other dish, the best flavour is obtained by 'frying' the spice in the oil before adding onions or meat. It brings out the flavour in a more subtle way. x

I often add a pinch of paprika or smoked paprika to soup. As for meals I think you can't go wrong with a roast if you are trying to cater for all ages. I often make a quick one mid week when I have my grandchildren. Spag bol is also a crowd pleaser.

On the subject of spice in soups, parsnip and curry is very tasty. We have quite a few casseroles which are easy in the slow cooker and never the same twice.

Risotto/Macaroni Cheese/Pasta with varying sauces and ingredients go down well when we are all together for a meal to suit all ages.

I make a variation on this Nigella dish - couldn't be easier and is loved by GC and their parents, and me!

Chicken, chorizo & potatoes

It all goes in the oven on two trays at the same time, no faffing around!

I serve it with a bowl of minted plain yoghurt.

The photo doesn't do the dish justice - there is more 'give', as the juices comes out of the chicken & chorizo giving it a lovely colourful golden glow!

I've just made a tortilla stack for lunch. Mince, onion, tomato purée, garlic, can of tomatoes, cumin powder, chilli powder(just a little), coriander leaf chopped put in at the end of cooking. Make a stack starting with a flour tortilla, then a layer of mince, until you have as many as you need. Top with grated cheese and put in the oven at 200°c for ten minutes until the cheese has melted. Sorry I forgot to say, simmer the mince mixture in the frying pan for 15 - 20 mins. It was delicious.

When my DC were young they loved carrot and coriander soup. Very quick and easy to make.

Grated fresh ginger is good in soup, makes it warming but not too hot.

I don't know how you make your soup, but I always boil up chicken carcases, turkey bones etc for stock and store it in the freezer. It adds an extra depth.

Chilli con carne (add some very dark chocolate to the mince mix)?
DGD2 really enjoyed DH's hotpot the other week.

And there's always Worcester sauce, mushroom ketchup or even the odd dollop of tomato ketchup for the lazier cooks among us!

(I think that should probably have been Worcestershire sauce, but it takes so long to type it...)

Seasoning is the key. A plain mushroom soup, with salt and pepper is a joy. Finished with a little cream and parsley... yum
Curry powder is good, but also try Res el hanout, tagines and thai.
Experiment with chilli con carne with chipotle paste.
So many cuisines, so little time

Chicken, chorizo and butter bean casserole, pretty easy and quick to make and freezes or reheats beautifully. Can't find original recipe but think was a Sainsburys one?

Add a ginger snap to casseroles to thicken the sauce. No evidence of biscuit or ginger flavour.

Chowder with crusty bread is delicious and easy to make.

Thai fishcakes might be worth a try - flavoursome but not too spicy. I sometimes do salmon fillets in the oven, first marinating them with lime juice, chilli powder and a bit of honey and olive oil. I quite often do moussaka for family meals as you can prepare it in advance.

I made oxtail stew this week, and initially purposely added lots of water. There's only me and it made me two meals and the remaining gravy I whizzed up for oxtail soup - delish!

How about cheese (or chicken) enchiladas? With sides of refried beans, Mexican style rice and green salad. Make them early in the day and you're all set to pop in the oven. DGD 2 years old and my family could eat them every day.

I just remembered when my grandmother introduced us to Mexican corn and flour tortillas back in the mid '50s. She had "discovered" them in downtown Los Angeles . I can still smell that delicious first burrito...And taco.

And now you know my next two suggestions! Easy and yummy.

I add a Knorr chicken or vegetable Stock Pot to most soups, they add more flavour. They contain no artificial flavours, enhancers, or colours and no MSG. However, they are quite salty so no extra will be needed. The addition of a bit of pearl barley adds substance too.