Kid Friendly Lunch Recipes

  photo Food Network

Take To School Taco Bar

My daughters love a yummy healthy lunch. Sometimes it can be challenging to come up with healthy meals that they love and fit the budget. I love the lunch idea's that I have found because they do double duty. I can make them for dinner and the left overs are lunch for the kids and my husband.

These recipes are super easy and can be modified to fit your children's food taste. The first lunch choice is the Take to School Taco Bar.  You can modify and be supper creative with this meal. My girls like to change out the roast beef for turkey and add carrots. Your taco lovers will love this! The colors will put smiles on their face.

  Ingredients Needed:

2     Tablespoons of sour cream or plain yogurt ...this is an option
1/4  cup of salsa
1/4  cup of guacamole
1/3  cup of shredded cheddar of  Mexican blend cheese
4    thin slices of roast beef of meat of choice
4    soft tortillas

Multi compartment lunch box or separate small containers

 Directions

First fold 1 slice of roast beef or meat of choice inside each 2 soft tortillas and sprinkle with cheese.  You want to put this first step in the largest compartment of the lunch box or container. Than you want to add in your toppings in the other smaller areas of your lunch box or containers. Cover and your sweetie is already for a fun healthy lunch. For full directions please visit www.foodnetwork.com

photo Food Network

 

Panko Crusted Chicken Nuggets

Most kids and adults love chicken nuggets! This is a great method that doesn't involve using a deep fryer. Another plus is that you can prepare them the night before. My kids love this with a side of carrots and yogurt. This simple recipe is great for dinner and makes a great addition for birthday parties.

Ingredients Needed

Salt and pepper
1 egg
1/2  cup of canola or vegetable oil
1/3 cup of buttermilk
1/4 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 1/2 cups of panko bread crumbs
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces


Directions

 First combine buttermilk and egg in a medium bowl and whisk.  Next add chicken pieces to egg mixture. While chicken is soaking, in another bowl combine pepper, salt, Italian seasoning, paprika and garlic powder.

 

Prepare a cooling station for the chicken by setting a rack on top of a cookie sheet than line with paper towels.

Next  heat your oil in a large skillet over medium heat for cooking.

 

Take chicken from buttermilk mixture remember to let excess liquid drain in the bowl. Than dip chicken in panko mixture and coat evenly on both sides. Carefully place chicken in skillet and cook until golden crispy.  This should take about 5 minutes.

 

Always make sure your meats are cooked through.

Remove chicken from skillet to cooling station to cool.

Put in sealed container or lunch box. Add favorite dipping sauces such as  barbecue, ranch and honey.

Delicious sides choices include apple sauce, healthy chips, or  salad. For a complete recipe and more great idea's please visit www.foodnetwork.com

 

 

                                
photo Taste of Home

Cheeseburger Pizza Recipe

 

 

Pizza and cheeseburgers all in one tasty dish! Two easy favorites that most will love. The ingredients are what most kitchens stock on any given day. So it can easily become your go too weekly lunch or dinner recipe. I love it because I can also add veggies to the recipe and make it a complete meal.

Ingredients Needed:

  Optional veggies- we like to include spinach
  Optional peperoni

  1- 1/4    cup of shredded cheese
  1/2  cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  1     teaspoon of Italian seasoning
  1     medium size onion ( dice onions)
  2     teaspoons of onion powder
1/8    teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  2     teaspoons garlic powder
  1     tube of refrigerated thin pizza crust
  1     cup of marinara sauce
3/4    pound ground beef

Directions
 Combine ground beef, onions, onion powder, garlic and red pepper flakes in skillet over medium heat and cook until meat is no longer pink and drain.
 
Next unroll pizza crust into greased 15 in. x 10 in. x 1 in. baking pan. Bake dough on 425 for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown. Than sprinkle pizza crust with Italian seasoning and spread on marinara sauce. Evenly spread beef mixture on pizza crust and top with cheese.

Bake for 6- 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cheese melts.

Enjoy! Just a few delicious lunches to get your school year off to a yummy start!