By Puja Chandra Nanda
With households under lockdown globally, the internet is exploding with cooking and baking recipes that one can fix up in a jiffy and need only ingredients that are commonly available at home (we know no one fancies a trip to the grocery store for one ingredient). Most importantly, these can be prepared as a parent-child bonding activity with most processes safe for children to handle with some supervision. And need we say, the final product is delicious and has the potential to become regulars in kids’ lunch boxes when they get back to school after the circuit breaker or as sumptuous snack options for home.
Here are our top 5 picks tried and tested by fussy children over the circuit breaker period. Though these dishes are from the internet, they have been adapted to personal taste and convenience.
Nutella French Toast Rolls
Children love Nutella! With the goodness of egg and milk, this combo recipe has the potential of becoming a regular for snack times!
Approx preparation time: 15 minutes, Difficulty Level: Easy, Taste Level:Nutellecious!
What You Need (For 4 servings):
- Bread Slices (White or Brown) – 4
- Nutella Spread
- Egg -1
- Sugar- Castor or White Sugar – 1 tablespoon
- Milk – 3 tablespoons / 30 ml
- Cinnamon powder
- Oil (For pan frying)
What Your Child (aged 10 and below) can do:
- Mix the egg, sugar and milk in a bowl, using a whisk or spoon
- Shave off the hard edges of the bread slices
- Slather the bread slices with a generous coating of Nutella
- Roll the Nutella coated bread slice from one end to another
What You (or an Older Child with supervision) Needs to Do:
- Heat a pan and drizzle some oil on it
- Dip the bread slice in the egg+ milk batter, coating it properly
- Shake off the excess batter and place it in the pan
- Pan fry till brown on both sides
- Sprinkle cinnamon powder on the top and serve with maple syrup
Nutella French Toast Rolls are ready to eat. Each roll packs in approx 500 calories.
Banana & Honey Milk Shake
How about a healthy milkshake with the goodness of fruits and immunity-boosting honey? Try this the next time your child does not fancy milk or plain fruit.
Approx preparation time: 15 minutes, Difficulty Level: Easy, Taste Level: Bananalicious!
What You Need (To make 2 glasses):
- Banana- 1 large, ripe banana
- Milk – 1 glass/ 300 ml
- Honey – 3 tablespoons
- Frozen or Fresh Strawberries (optional) -5/6
- Vanilla Ice-cream (optional)
Children above the age of 7 can prepare independently with a little supervision from an adult
- Peel the banana and cut into big chunks
- Wash and slice the strawberries (if using)
- Blend together the banana, milk, frozen strawberries and 2 tablespoons of honey in a blender
- Drizzle honey along the inner sides of the glass
- Pour the delightful banana milkshake into the glass
- Top up with a dollop of vanilla ice cream for a tasty treat
Slurp it up! Each glass packs in approx 400 calories.
Crunchy Corn Cheese Balls
This recipe takes a little more effort than the rest but the awesome taste makes it worth it!
Approx preparation time: 30 minutes, Difficulty Level: Medium, Taste Level: Cornilicious!
What You Need (To make approx 12- 15 balls):
- Boiled Corn Kernels- frozen or fresh -3/4th cup
- Processed Cheese (Mozarella/ Cheddar work well)–Shredded- 1 cup
- Boiled and Mashed Potato -1 big
- Peas & Carrots (Optional) – Boiled and Mashed/ Grated
- Corn Flour -1/2 cup
- All Purpose Flour -3 tablespoons
- Breadcrumbs
- Salt – as per taste
- Pepper
- Other optional seasoning – Oregano, Chilli Powder
- Oil to fry
What Your Child (aged 10 and below) can do:
- Mix boiled and drained corn kernels, processed cheese, mashed potato, other vegetables (if using), corn flour, salt, pepper and other seasonings together in a big bowl. [Note: If too watery, can add more cornflour to the mix.]
- Now divide into small balls
- Make a paste of all purpose flour with water.
- Roll the balls one by one in this paste
- Coat evenly with breadcrumbs
- Put in freezer for 15 minutes
What You (or an Older Child with supervision) Needs To Do:
- Heat oil in a wok
- Lower each ball and deep fry one by one
- Place it on a kitchen towel to absorb extra oil.
- Serve with tomato ketchup.
- For a healthier option, you can also bake the corn cheese balls at 200 degrees celsius in a pre-heated oven for 15 to 20 minutes till golden on top.
- Make sure to grease the tray before placing the balls
Enjoy every bite! Each crispy corn cheese ball would pack in approximately 300 calories.
Bread Pizza
It’s no secret that children love pizza! But what if don’t want to order and don’t have the time to prepare pizza from scratch? Try this easy 4 ingredient Bread Pizza…
Approx preparation time: 20 minutes, Difficulty Level: Easy, Taste Level: Pizzalicious!
What You Need (To Make 4 Pizza Toasts)
- Bread Slices -4
- Pizza Sauce (You can DIY with tomato sauce and oregano)
- Mozzarella Cheese -shredded
- Parsley
- Mini Pepperoni / Chicken salami (You can replace it with or add on slices of mushroom/ capsicum/ olives/ tomatoes for a vegetarian option)
What Your Child (aged 10 and below) can do:
- Toast the bread slices lightly
- Slather on a spoonful of pizza sauce on each slice
- Spread on the mozzarella cheese
- Top it up with mini pepperonis or chicken salami and sliced vegetables of your choice
What You (or an Older Child with supervision) Needs To Do:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Line the baking tray with a parchment paper
- Place the bread pizza slices on the baking tray
- Bake till the cheese is melted and toppings are crispy (Approx 10 mins)
- Garnish with parsley
Yummy Bread Pizza Toast is ready to be relished! Each pizza toast packs in around 600 calories.
Chocolate Cake in a Cup
Dessert anyone? How about Chocolate Cake in a Cup? Not everyone needs to know baking to enjoy a home baked cake!
Approx preparation time: 10 minutes, Difficulty Level: Super Easy, Taste Level: Chocolicious!
What You Need (To Make 1 Cake in a Cup)
- All Purpose Flour -3 tablespoons
- White Sugar -3 tablespoons
- Cocoa Powder -2 tablespoons
- Vegetable Oil -3 tablepoons
- Baking Powder -1/4 th teaspoon
- Milk -3 tablespoons
- Salt – A pinch
- Vanilla Essence – Few drops
- Chocolate Chips ( optional to add to the chocolate flavor)
This is a simple recipe for chocolate cake in a cup that can be safely handled by children with a little supervision.
- Use a microwave proof big ceramic mug (at least 300 ml).
- Put all ingredients into the mug starting with the dry ones and then one by one the liquids.
- Mix in all ingredients thoroughly using a fork or spoon.
- Microwave for 90 seconds at full power.
- Using a glove, carefully take out the cup [This should be handled by an adult or an older child with adult supervision as the cup will be very hot]
- Drizzle on some chocolate syrup and serve!
Delicious Chocolate Cake in a Cup is ready to devour! The cup holds approx 600 calories.