MUMS are being encouraged to ditch TV dinners and takeaways, and rustle up some wholesome homemade fare instead.

Parents on Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys have been taking part in family cookery courses, designed to encourage healthy eating and sit-down family dinners – on a budget.

During the two-hour sessions at Cuddesdon Corner Children’s Centre in Blackbird Leys, they have learned hygiene tips and budget plans before donning aprons to chop, mix, and bake teatime favourites including lasagne, bread rolls and meat balls.

Aside from making new dishes from scratch, they also pick up tips on how to transform fussy eaters into food lovers.

Course leader Swedish-born Marina Johanson felt inspired to set up the Oxfordshire County Council-funded course after working as a chef at a Banbury children’s centre, where she discovered parents lacked basic cooking skills.

Mrs Johanson said British culture had changed over the years and parents all too often opted for easy and quick dinner options, often in front of the television.

She said: “It’s very sad to see so many families not eating together.

On the course, she said: “We don’t just cook together, each time we go through nutrition, hygiene and then we cook.

“After the session they collect the children from the creche and we sit down together at a table with candles, relaxing music and nice serviettes, and eat.

“They think it’s amazing, and for me it’s very rewarding because for some of them it’s very unusual.

“They often use takeaway food too and for me this is about giving them information and a food budget for each meal – and they can see it costs an average of £1.50 or £2.00 per person. Then it’s their choice that they can create this meal and save money and use the money to do something else for their family.”

Mandy Hoosein, 38, mother to four-year-old twins Daanyaal and Zahrah, of Kersington Crescent, Cowley, said: “I came on the course to expand my cooking skills and learn how to make things from scratch – it’s amazing how little a family meal can cost.

“I used to make lasagne and use cheat sheets, but now I think I’m going to make my own pasta. It’s so easy, it just costs £2.38 per person.

“My son is really fussy but he has eaten every time he has come here.”

Ulrike Zell, 37, of Elder Way, Greater Leys, is mother to 13-month-old Samya.

She said: “I used to cook when I was in college but this is really refreshing my knowledge.”

Aja Jackson, 24, of Three Corners Road, Greater Leys, is mother to two-year-old Ellie and five-month-old Sophie.

The 24-year-old is on maternity leave and plans to return to her PA job at Oxford’s New Theatre in May.

She said: “I’m a terrible cook, so I thought it would be good to give my children proper home-cooked food.

“I’ve learned how to make pasta, lasagne and bread, all the stuff I thought I would never be able to do.

“This food is healthier, cheaper and you can control what you put in it. I don’t like salt in my dinners but the stuff you buy in shops has got lots in.

“I’ve seen a recipe for a cake in a magazine I get and I’ve bought all the ingredients and scales, and I’m going to make it with Ellie – she’ll really enjoy doing it. Normally I just buy cake mix.”

Tucking into lasagne, her daughter approved. Ellie said: “I love it, lasagne is my best friend.

It was the best dinner I’ve ever had.”

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk