A+ For Best Dressed Chicken Nuggets
That colossal sigh heard this morning came from anxious moms and dads trying to figure out how to keep kids’ lunches healthy and entertaining for the new school term. We know how quickly fatigue can set in when you’re trying make school lunches that are healthy plus fun to eat and easy to make. So here are tips and tricks for planning and preparing healthy lunches to ensure a stress-free start to the school year.
Plan ahead
Set aside time on the weekend to write out lunch box ideas for the week ahead. Choose meals and snacks that keep well in lunch boxes, and consider how dinner leftovers can win the next day. Case in point: Sunday’s Best Dressed Chicken Barbecue Drumsticks and Mac and Cheese can do double duty in Monday’s lunch box.
Make Ahead
Save time by batch cooking. Pick some of your child’s favourite recipes and double the quantities to increase the number of serves. Freeze any leftovers, as these can be used later.
Get sneaky with fruits and vegetables
Get creative if your children are fussy eaters and struggle to eat their vegetables. For example, use cookie cutters to create fun shapes for younger children. For the older ones, try blending smoothies with fruits and vegetables.
Get the kids involved
Getting your children involved in the act of meal preparation not only provides valuable skills and education but also exposes them to different foods. When planning lunch box ideas for the week, sit down with your children and let them contribute ideas.
Try this recipe to add to your lunch box routine to help your child stay ahead of the class.
Hamilton’s Smokehouse Pinwheels
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
1 pack Hamilton’s Chicken Ham slices
2 10″ tortillas
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheese blend
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper
Method:
Combine cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Add powder seasonings and mix thoroughly. Spread each tortilla with the crime cheese filling. Add three slices of Hamilton’s Chicken Ham Slices to each tortilla. Roll up the tortilla tightly, ensuring there is no hole at the beginning. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour, allowing the filling to set. Slice 1/2-inch slices to make pinwheels.
