Forget bland bowls of beige! Gone are the days of forcing down “good-for-you” meals that taste like cardboard. Today’s tiny gourmands crave adventure in every bite, and their palates are a kaleidoscope of preferences. Sweet, salty, crunchy, crispy, spicy – you name it, they’ve got an opinion!
But fear not, weary parents, for this is where culinary magic happens! We’re here to unleash your inner kitchen superhero with quick and yummy recipes that turn mealtime into a fiesta of flavours. Forget boring dal-roti, let’s whip up Rainbow Veggie Rice that’s as vibrant as a unicorn’s mane, or transform humble khichdi into a Jungle Safari Scramble, packed with hidden veggies and a sprinkle of surprise.
Vege Wraps
A potato patty wrap is a quick and easy snack or meal made with a grilled potato patty, chutney, and vegetables wrapped in a chapati. This classic Indian snack is a good source of carbohydrates and protein with a dash of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Ingredients:
- 1-2 Whole wheat Chapatis
- 1-2 Cheese slices
- 1 Boiled Potato
- 1 cup Mint
- 1 Green chilly
- ½ cup Coriander
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Cucumber
- 1 tbsp Carrots
- Olive Oil
- 1 Tomato
- 1 Onion
Method:
- Smash the boiled potatoes and mix with chopped carrots and cucumber. Make circular patties 1/2 inch thick.
- Brush the patties with olive oil.
- Grill the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- To make the chutney, mix mint, coriander, chilly and salt in a blender and blend. Add water as per desired consistency.
- To make wrap, fold a chapati into a triangular shape with four parts visible when unfolded.
- Make a cut from one side to make it easy to add filling to each part.
- Apply chutney to the first quarter, add the grilled potato patty to the second quarter, add onion and tomato slices to the third quarter, and add a slice of cheese to the fourth quarter.
- Fold each quarter of the chapati over the other.
- Heat the wrap over a skillet on both sides and serve hot.
Healthy Energy Bars
These energy bars are a great way to get a healthy and nutritious snack on the go. They are also a good source of protein and fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats.
- ¼ cup almonds
- ¼ cup peanuts
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tsp cinnamon powder
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats and nuts.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, peanut butter, and cinnamon powder.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and set.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting them into squares or rectangles.
- Pack, store and eat on the go.
Breakfast Cereals
Homemade breakfast cereals are a great way to start your day with a healthy and delicious meal. They are also a good option for people with allergies or dietary restrictions, as you can control the ingredients that go into them.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup mixed chopped nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or peanuts)
- 1/4 cup dried fruit (such as blueberries and cranberries)
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup honey
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, dried fruit and flaxseed.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Spread the mixture out on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cereal is golden brown and crispy.
- Let the cereal cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.
- Serve with a cup of milk and have an energising breakfast!
Wholesome Smoothie
This smoothie is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s also a good way to get your daily dose of fruits and nuts.
Ingredients:
- 1 glass of milk
- 1 Apple (Sliced and deseeded)
- 2 tbsp Nuts (chopped mixture of almonds, cashews, and walnut)
- 1 tbsp of honey
Method:
- Take a blender and add all the ingredients in it.
- Blend it until a smooth consistency.
- Pour in a glass and then top with some chopped pieces of apple and nuts from the top.
Wholesome crackers
Crunchy clusters bursting with goodness of multi-grains, and spices, a symphony of textures on every bite.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup Ragi flour
- ¼ cup Jowar flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 tbsp pounded Black pepper
- 2 tbsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup oil
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, red chili powder, cumin powder and pounded black pepper.
- Add the oil and water and mix until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough for a few minutes until it is smooth.
- Divide the dough into two equal pieces.
- Roll out each piece of dough into a thin circle, about 1/8 inch thick.
- Cut the dough into circles, squares or triangles using a cookie cutter or knife.
- Place the crackers on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown and crispy.
- Let the crackers cool completely before storing them.
Chaat – Makhana Bhel
Crunchy whispers of makhana, tangy whispers of lime, chaat bhel – a Mumbai monsoon in your mouth.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Foxnut (Makhana)
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 chopped tomato
- 1 finely chopped chili
- ½ Cup finely chopped coriander
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2-3 tbsp Mint chutney
- 1 tsp Chaat Masala
- 1 tsp Salt
Method:
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients except mint chutney.
- Stir to combine.
- Add the chutneys and stir to combine.
- Serve immediately and savour.
Grilled Potato Chaat
Tangy twist on a spud classic. Every bite bursts with flavour in this grilled chaat.
Ingredients:
- 2 boiled potatoes
- 1 chopped capsicum
- 1 chopped carrot
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 chopped tomato
- ½ cup chopped coriander
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- 1 tbsp tamarind chutney
- 1 tbsp mint chutney
- 1 cup sweet curd
- 1 tsp chat masala
- 1 tsp salt
Method:
- Smash the boiled potatoes and mix with chopped carrots, cucumber and chilli powder. Make circular patties 1/2 inch thick.
- Brush the patties with olive oil.
- Grill the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Take the patties on a plate and press slightly.
- Pour some sweet curd over it.
- Add a mint and tamarind chutney over curd.
- Sprinkle chat masala, chilli powder, salt over it.
- Add chopped onion and tomato and garnish with coriander and serve.
Happy Meals to you and your little ones!!
