Tiffin woes are a part of every parent's life. What to give the kids which they find fun and tasty and is something healthy. Every tiffin has to pass the taste, fun and health test, week after week.
But honestly, it looks more tedious than it actually is. In our house, I have a few rules and the child gives some guidelines and together we come out with the perfect tiffin boxes.
To keep the nutrition going I keep in mind that every dish in the tiffin must have two vegetables, some whole grain carbs and a form of protein.
The child wants stuff which is easy to eat during the break and it doesn't take a lot of time to eat. Yes, playtime is precious!
As a result what I try to do more often than not is to pack the goodness in a ‘seemingly’ junk dish or in the dishes that are his favorite. Give the pizza a twist by skipping the maida base, roll up veggies in a parantha to make a Frankie.
Make a vegetable loaded pasta or even use spinach in the sauce, sneak in some paneer in the parantha along with that potato. These small things do wonders to the nutrition value of your child's tiffin box.
Here are three such recipes that are winners in our house. Tiffins, that always come empty and result in a happy child and a happy parent.
Pizza Parantha
Every child loves pizza but every parent feels it is too much junk to pack in a tiffin box. This parantha pizza is a win-win. Health bhi, taste bhi.
Method
Divide the roti dough into four equal parts and roll balls out of it. We are just using the everyday roti dough here. Essentially whole wheat flour mixed with warm water and kneaded well to form a soft dough. Roll two balls into rotis of medium thickness. On one of the rotis, spread 1/2 tbsp pizza sauce. Top with half the vegetables and half of the grated cheese.
Use the other roti to cover this and press the sides so that you have a sealed package. On a preheated tawa, fry both sides till golden brown. Using a pizza cutter, slice into four pieces. Perfect by itself or with some nuts on the side.
Cheesy Spinach Idly
One of the most fuss free food in my house is idly. All varieties are loved by both child and me. Easy to make, fermented goodness, the balance of carb and protein. What's not to love about these cute little things.
And this version is my favorite way to sneak in the wonderful green spinach in my son's diet.
Method
Wash and finely chop the spinach. I always make sure I wash spinach and other greens three to four times.
Mix the chopped leaves with cheese and idly batter and steam at high flame for 12-15 minutes. Pack in the lunch box with some ketchup and fruits on the side.
Easy Egg Rolls
Egg for protein, beetroot for that lovely color and health. This recipe is both mine and the child’s favorite.
Method
Mix whole wheat flour and water together, knead to make a soft dough. A well kneaded soft dough leads to softer paranthas. Keep aside covered with a wet muslin cloth for 5 minutes. The dough can be prepared at night and kept in the refrigerator.
Distribute the dough in 2 balls and roll each ball into a roti using dry flour. Spread half a teaspoon oil on the chapathi and sprinkle some dry flour and roll in to a round shape. Roll it out again to a 1/4 to 1.2-inch thick parantha.
Cook on a pre-heated tawa till both sides are lightly browned. Beat eggs with salt and pepper and cook in a frying pan to make a thin omelette.
To assemble the roll, spread chutney on the parantha. Place omelette on top. Add sliced onions and grated beetroot and then roll tight. Slice in two and pack in the lunch box with some salad on the side for that perfect lunch.
Hope you and your child enjoy these recipes.
(Monika Manchanda is an ex-IT professional turned into a food blogger, consultant, home baker and an amateur food photographer. She loves music, writing, food, and travel, but not necessarily in that order! She can be reached at monika.manchanda@gmail.com)
Tiffin woes are a part of every parent's life. What to give the kids which they find fun and tasty and is something healthy. Every tiffin has to pass the taste, fun and health test, week after week.
But honestly, it looks more tedious than it actually is. In our house, I have a few rules and the child gives some guidelines and together we come out with the perfect tiffin boxes.
To keep the nutrition going I keep in mind that every dish in the tiffin must have two vegetables, some whole grain carbs and a form of protein.
The child wants stuff which is easy to eat during the break and it doesn't take a lot of time to eat. Yes, playtime is precious!
As a result what I try to do more often than not is to pack the goodness in a ‘seemingly’ junk dish or in the dishes that are his favorite. Give the pizza a twist by skipping the maida base, roll up veggies in a parantha to make a Frankie.
Make a vegetable loaded pasta or even use spinach in the sauce, sneak in some paneer in the parantha along with that potato. These small things do wonders to the nutrition value of your child's tiffin box.
Here are three such recipes that are winners in our house. Tiffins, that always come empty and result in a happy child and a happy parent.
Pizza Parantha
Every child loves pizza but every parent feels it is too much junk to pack in a tiffin box. This parantha pizza is a win-win. Health bhi, taste bhi.
Method
Divide the roti dough into four equal parts and roll balls out of it. We are just using the everyday roti dough here. Essentially whole wheat flour mixed with warm water and kneaded well to form a soft dough. Roll two balls into rotis of medium thickness. On one of the rotis, spread 1/2 tbsp pizza sauce. Top with half the vegetables and half of the grated cheese.
Use the other roti to cover this and press the sides so that you have a sealed package. On a preheated tawa, fry both sides till golden brown. Using a pizza cutter, slice into four pieces. Perfect by itself or with some nuts on the side.
Cheesy Spinach Idly
One of the most fuss free food in my house is idly. All varieties are loved by both child and me. Easy to make, fermented goodness, the balance of carb and protein. What's not to love about these cute little things.
And this version is my favorite way to sneak in the wonderful green spinach in my son's diet.
Method
Wash and finely chop the spinach. I always make sure I wash spinach and other greens three to four times.
Mix the chopped leaves with cheese and idly batter and steam at high flame for 12-15 minutes. Pack in the lunch box with some ketchup and fruits on the side.
Easy Egg Rolls
Egg for protein, beetroot for that lovely color and health. This recipe is both mine and the child’s favorite.
Method
Mix whole wheat flour and water together, knead to make a soft dough. A well kneaded soft dough leads to softer paranthas. Keep aside covered with a wet muslin cloth for 5 minutes. The dough can be prepared at night and kept in the refrigerator.
Distribute the dough in 2 balls and roll each ball into a roti using dry flour. Spread half a teaspoon oil on the chapathi and sprinkle some dry flour and roll in to a round shape. Roll it out again to a 1/4 to 1.2-inch thick parantha.
Cook on a pre-heated tawa till both sides are lightly browned. Beat eggs with salt and pepper and cook in a frying pan to make a thin omelette.
To assemble the roll, spread chutney on the parantha. Place omelette on top. Add sliced onions and grated beetroot and then roll tight. Slice in two and pack in the lunch box with some salad on the side for that perfect lunch.
Hope you and your child enjoy these recipes.
(Monika Manchanda is an ex-IT professional turned into a food blogger, consultant, home baker and an amateur food photographer. She loves music, writing, food, and travel, but not necessarily in that order! She can be reached at monika.manchanda@gmail.com)
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