September 30, 2014

Kids Lunchbox Recipes

Being a working women, my mother used to pack regular meals for lunch for us and we hardly ask for some variations in our lunchbox but nowadays, making kids eat is itself a major task. As a mother, we need to spend lots of time sitting along with them or running behind them to feed our kids but hard time begins, only after joining them in school.
Packing Lunchbox is not so easy as these kids expect variations and demand for different menu to surprise their friends and as a mother, it is our duty to make them healthy. I have listed few Kids Lunch box recipes which I follow for my kid. 

Oats Veggie Kuzhipaniyaram :


Oats has become one of the important ingredients in our life as it contains lots of healthy nutrients. But kids hate it because of its taste and gooey texture after cooking.So for a twist, I have added oats in dosa batter to prepare healthy kuzhipaniyaram. Oats veggie Kuzhipaniyaram is a small savory balls prepared with Oats, veggies and left over dosa batter. It is a perfect lunch box recipe and can be served with any varieties of chutneys. I have added only couple of veggies in this recipe but lots of veggies like cabbage, peas... etc can also be added. 

Ingredients :
  • 1/2 Cup Idly Batter / Dosa Batter
  • 1 Cup Oats
  • 1 Onion, Finely Chopped
  • 2 Carrots, Grated
  • 2 Potatoes, Grated
  • 2 Green chillies, Finely Chopped
  • Small piece of Ginger, Grated
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Few Curry leaves
  • 3 Tbsp Oil
  • 1 Tsp Mustrad Seeds / Kadugu
  • 1 Tsp Urad dal / Uzutham parupu
  • 1/2 Tsp Jeera / Cumin seeds
Method :
  • Mix Oats and Idly/Dosa Batter in a bowl and keep aside for 1/2 to 1 hour.
  • Add water if the consistency is too thick.
  • Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
  • Once it starts spluttering, add Jeera followed by urad dal and curry leaves.
  • Add grated ginger and saute for half a minute.
  • Now add the chopped onion and saute till it turns translucent.
  • Add the remaining grated veggies followed by Turmeric powder and salt.
  • Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes in a simmer flame.
  • Once done, remove from the flame and add it to the Oats batter.
  • Mix well and add water if necessary.
  • Heat Kuzhipaniyaram pan and smear oil in all holes.
  • Take batter in a spoon and pour them in all holes carefully.
  • Cook for 4-5 minutes in a medium flame and flip the other side using Kuzhipaniyaram stick or fork.
  • Cook for another 3-4 minutes and remove from the flame.
  • Repeat the process for the remaining batter.
  • Serve Hot.

Mango and Carrot Rice :


Mango and Carrot rice is an unique and tasty rice which is perfect for Kids Lunchbox. It has a delicious tangy flavor and adding grated carrot, not only enhances the taste of rice and also it gives mild sweetness to balance the tanginess from mango. And we all knew that Carrots are very good for eyes and kids should include this veggie in their regular meals.To make it more healthy, different varieties of veggies can also be included and this is delicious when served with Fryums, pickles and Potato fry.

Ingredients :
  • 1 Cup Rice, cooked
  • 2 Tbsp Oil
  • 1 Tsp Mustard seeds
  • 1 Tbsp Chana dal
  • 5 Cashew nuts, broken into pieces
  • 2 Tbsp Groundnut
  • 2 Green chillies, chopped
  • 1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 Big Mango, grated
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • Few curry leaves for garnishing
Method :
  • Heat pan and dry roast the groundnuts and remove from the flame.
  • Peel the skin and keep aside.
  • Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
  • Once it starts spluttering, add chana dal followed by cashewnuts and groundnuts.
  • Add green chillies and turmeric powder, mix well.
  • Now add the grated mango and carrot along with salt, mix well.
  • Simmer the flame and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add cooked rice and mix slowly without breaking the rice.
  • Garnish with curry leaves and serve hot.

Tofu Aloo Paratha :



Aloo paratha is one of the kids friendly recipe as it contains potatoes which is kid's favorite veggie. To make it more healthy, I have added grated Tofu along with the potatoes.
Tofu is popularly known as bean curd and it is made of Soy milk. Though it has a subtle flavor, it is rich in protein and very healthy. Potatoes are known for its highly contained Carbohydrates and adding protein rich tofu along with this, it makes a complete healthy meal. These yummy parathas can be served with spiced curd or Tomato sauce.

Ingredients :
  • 2 Cups Wheat Flour 
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 Tbsp Oil
  • Water to knead
  • 3 Big Potatoes, Boiled and Mashed
  • 1 Cup Tofu, grated
  • Few finely chopped coriander leaves
  • 1 Tsp Garam Masala
  • 1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder
  • 2 Green chillies, finely chopped
  • Salt to taste
Method :
  • Mix Wheat flour, salt, oil and water in a bowl.
  • Knead well and prepare a soft dough. Keep aside.
  • Add mashed potatoes along with grated tofu in a separate bowl.
  • Now add garam masala, salt, turmeric powder, chopped coriander leaves and  finely chopped green chillies.
  • Mix well and prepare small balls.
  • Divide the chapati dough into big sized balls.
  • Roll out each balls into a small circle and fill it with tofu-potato mixture.
  • Now bring all the sides together and seal it tightly.
  • Roll it again gently using rolling pin and cook it on the tawa or griddle using little oil or butter until both sides turns golden color.
  • Remove from the flame and serve hot.

Sending all these recipes to "100 Kids Lunchbox Recipes Recipe Book" Event conducted by Indusladies.










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