Getting my kids to eat something...ANYTHING at school can be quite a challenge. They're not fond of sandwiches, so I'm always trying to find lunches that are both easy to make and yummy to eat. As usual - Pinterest has been a HUGE source of great ideas. Here are 2 lunch ideas that have been big hits so far:
1)
Wicked Good Pizza Muffins - original recipe
here. My modifications - I used whatever cheese I had lying around the house instead of their specific recommendations. I used chopped up pepperoni instead of red/green pepper:
2)
Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes - original recipe
here. My modifications: I used ground chicken sauteed with garlic & salt rather than the herbs & spices in the recipe. I used a mix of Broccoli & Cheddar plus Cream of Mushroom instead of Cream of Chicken soup.
The nice thing about preparing these pies is that half of the ground chicken/soup mixture can be used to make Chicken Spaghetti for dinner.
Inspired by
this recipe.
(EDIT: I'm posting my full recipe for Parveen - fry 1 lb minced chicken with garlic, soya sauce & black pepper. Mix in a can each of Broccoli & Cheddar soup and Cream of Mushroom soup. Stir in a 10 oz can of tomato paste and a can of Old El Paso Green Chiles, Mix with cooked spaghetti, place in an oven-proof dish and top with grated cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes in a 350 F oven). Not the healthiest but it was great comfort food!
Both the muffin and the pie can be frozen in tupperwares and defrosted overnight or microwaved in the morning before school.
My packed lunch formula is:
-
MAIN COURSE: French Toast, Chicken Pot Pie, Pizza Muffin, Mini-Pizzas or Pasta
-
DAIRY: Cheese stick or Yogurt
-
FRUIT or VEG: Apples, Grapes, Orange Slices or Baby Carrots
-
SNACK: Chips or Cookies
-
DRINK: Water bottle & Milk or Fruit Juice
I definitely send more than they need - but as long as they've had
most of their "main course", I'm happy.
What was your favorite school lunch? If you have kids - what do they like eating?
