At Treetops, we are committed to providing tamariki with healthy and positive nutritional habits to ensure they have the best possible start in life.

Our new winter menu will ensure the children keep warm this winter with soups, pasta bakes, warm custard, casseroles and baking recipe ideas. Here are two recipes for you to try at home.

Mashed potato fish pie

You will need:

• - 1 cup green peas

• - 1 cup corn

• - 1 cup carrots, diced

• - 2 cups grated cheese

• - 1 cup milk

• - 1 cup reduced cream

• - 2 kg potato

• - 1 tsp pepper

• - 3 tbsp butter

• - 1 medium-sized onion, diced

• - 3 cloves garlic, minced

• - 2 cans of plain tuna/tuna in water

Procedure

For the fish and veggie mix:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan bake

2. In a saucepan, saute the onion and garlic until the flavours are absorbed.

3. Drain the canned tuna of its water, and add it to the pan. Let it simmer for around 3 minutes.

4. Add the veggies (corn, carrots, and peas) and let it cook until soft. 

5. Once the veggies are cooked, add the reduced cream, and season with pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 3 minutes, then set aside.

For mashed potato topping:

1. Dice potatoes and boil in water until tender. 

2. When done, add the butter and milk. Mash and mix it all together. Set aside.

Putting it all together:

1. Transfer veggies and fish mixture into a baking dish, then gently spread the mashed potato on top. Use a fork to fluff the surface of the pie to even it out.

2. Spread grated cheese as toppings. Then put in the pre-heated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

3. Leave to cool for 5 minutes, then serve. Enjoy!

Delicious beef wraps

You will need:

• - 2 kg minced beef

• - 2 cloves garlic, minced

• - 1 medium-sized onion, diced

• - 1/2 cup carrots, shredded

• - 1/4 cup bell pepper, diced

• - 1 whole cucumber, sliced

• - 1/2 iceberg lettuce, chopped

• - 1/3 cup Passata tomato sauce

• - 3 cups grated cheese

• - 2 tbsp brown sugar

• - 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• - pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Brown minced beef with onion, garlic, carrots, and bell pepper in large skillet pan over medium heat for 8 - 10 minutes, breaking beef up into crumbles using a spatula.

2. Add water, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and pepper, and mix well.

3. Bring it to boil until cooked. When it boils, reduce heat and let it simmer for another 5 minutes or until mixture has slightly thickened. Set aside. 

Making the Beef Wrap

1. Spoon filling evenly in a row across the centre of each tortilla wrap, leaving 1-1/2 inch border on the left and right sides. Add chopped lettuce, cucumber, and grated cheese as toppings.

2. Fold the left and right sides of the tortilla over the filling. Then fold the bottom edge up over filling and roll up.

3. Serve and enjoy!

Here are pictures of some of our other winter menu options