Mini uttapa and sabji sandwich, guava and grapes

Mini uttapa with vegetables : I used typical Idly batter to make mini uttapas. In the batter add finely grated ginger, finely chopped onions and lots of chopped corriander. On the nonstick pan add few drops of oil and spoonful of batter and then add carrot cubes and peas. let it cook by covering the lid. with Chutney : blend in the mixer (blender) - mint, corriander leaves ( I use chopped stems - its good fiber) , green chili, yogurt, walnuts, Daal (roasted garbano beans), flaxmeal (javas), salt, sugar.
Mini uttapa sabji sandwich : Typical potato sabji that is made with dosa. I added grated carrots, green peas, lemon juice, salt sugar to the boiled and chunky mashed potatoes. Sandwiched it with some ketchup in mini uttapas.
Gauva slices and grapes. I took off the seeds and peeled the gauva. Roo's taste buds haven't developed for guava yet.
Roo ate Uttapa burgers (thats what she called it) and grapes...All chutney untouched, all guava slices and other single uttapas came back.

Bread pakoda (not fried), broccoli with ranch

Bread pakoda (not fried) : I used honey whole wheat bread. Cut the slices into strips. Mix all the ingredients - 1 cup of besan (garbanzo beans flour), salt, red chili powder, ovaa (known as - ajwain, ajwan, ajowan, omam, caraway seeds). Add water and whisk it to a little thinner than pancake batter consistency. Dip the bread strips into the batter and cook it from both sides on the nonstick pan with little oil. [just like french toast]

with ketchup.

blanched broccoli with ranch.

I added few grapes in the lunch box after taking picture.

Tofu makhani with poli (chapati)

Roo calls it orange bhaji (sabji/curry). Its her very favorite that nothing goes on the side.
Tofu makhani - Paneer makhani - In a pan heat a teaspoon oil. Add garlic, ginger, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, carrot cubes, peeled and cubed zuchini (if other vegetables like spinach added then add beet root to enhance color), some cooked canellini (white) beans . Let it all cook with some water and by covering with lid. blend it in blender (mixer). cut tofu/paneer into small bite size cubes.
In the pan heat a teaspoon oil/butter and add masala (I usually use Shahi paneer masala/ tandoori masala or paneer makhani). Add the tomato-onion gravy and tofu cubes; some salt and 1/2 teaspoon sugar for taste.
with Phulake (I used few drops of olive oil on top so they will stay soft).

TIP about buying Masala powders : If you are making Sambar...purchase Sambar masala made in south India...MTR, 777 are good brands. If you r making pav-bhaji... Mumbai brands like Everest. If you are making north indian dish like paneer makhani...then MDH brand.
I usually read the address where it is manufactured when buying.

I gave it in typical stacking tiffin which goes in the insulated box. It will be warm lunch.

Polenta with beans and carrots, apple slices

Polenta with mexican red beans and grated carrots in Pasta sauce :
In this recipe I used polenta like pasta, roasted it on the pan. Mixed some cooked (with salt) beans and grated carrots in pasta sauce...microwaved it for a minute sprinkled some cheese and gave it in hot lunch box.
Polenta is prcooked corn meal (north Italy) and has savory taste. It is available in any supermarket. Mexican red beans are like small kidney beans (rajma) but has different taste.
with apple slices.

Phodnichi poli (masala tortilla/chapati/roti), woldorf salad

Phodnichi poli - policha kuskara - masala tadka chapati (phulake) :
Its a popular Indian breakfast item made from leftover Roti/Poli/Chapati/Paratha/Tortilla.

Crumble or cut or crush the tortilla/chapati to small pieces. If its dry chapati like phulake you can use mixer to do it. Add some lemon juice, salt and sugar a teaspoon each for 6-7 tortillas and keep it aside. For tempering/ tadka/ phodni - heat very little oil (I used 1 teaspoon) in a pot and then add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, grated ginger, finely chopped onions pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon water. cover with lid and let it cook.
Add vegetables of your choice. I added frozen peas, green pegion peas (tur), edamame, grated carrots, finely chopped zuchini. Mix in the crumbled chapatis/tortillas. Turn the heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes covering with lid.

Woldorf salad : Mix all of it together - finely chopped apple, celery, walnuts, grapes, thick yogurt, sugar. Yummy and easy :)
It is made with mayonaise and raisins but Roo doesn't like it so I added grapes and yogurt instead.

Japanese pizza or pancake, marinated and roasted lotus root slices,grapes and strawberries

Japanese pancake (okonomiyaki) : This is a savory pancake - a vegetarian version closer to japanese pancake or pizza. This is clean the fridge recipe...can be made with many vegetables.

3 cups cabbage thinly cut into strings, grated carrots 1/2 cup, sliced mushrooms, 2 tablespoon while wheat flour, 1/3 cup grated raw nagaimo root [optional or potato/taro root can be used], 2 teaspoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, salt. Mix it all together without any water. With few drops of oil make mini pancakes on the nonstick pan. Cook from both sides.

It already has ketchup but kids can eat enormous ketchup. This is a very good picnic food...lunchbox item.

Marinated and roasted lotus root slices : lotus root slices marinated in soy sauce + salt + sesame oil + rice vinegar and roasted on the pan.

Lotus root being a starchy root doesn't have much nutritional value...its different taste makes it a fun food to eat. Fresh lotus root is available at any supermarkets. Asian stores like Uwajimaya carry it in frozen sections too.

grapes and strawberries.

Grilled cheese sandwich triangles, Masoor, orange and apple slices, garbanzo beans

Grilled cheese sandwich triangles : whole grain bread slices, some finely grated baby carrots, american cheese slices and grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. I grilled it on the nonstick pan with few drops of olive oil and cut it into triangles.
Soaked whole Masoor (lentils). they didn't sprout yet.
Tangerine (orange) and apple slices.
Soaked and cooked (with salt) garbanzo beans.

veggie masala burger, roasted sweet potato, kiwi and strawberry

Veggie masala burger with lettuce and whole wheat bread : I cut the bread slices in hexagon shape (its hard to cut in circle shape for me so hexagon!). honey mustard on one slice - ketchup, sweet pickles and finely chopped onion on the burger patty (ketchup on bread will be soggy). thick lettuce round cut and another hexagon slice... Burger ready :)

Sweet potato roasted (fries) : cut sweet potato in stripes. Sprinkle salt and pepper and roast it on the pan, Add few drops of oil. Let it cook from all sides. about 10-15 minutes. with kethup.

kiwi and strawberries.

Frozen section have vegetable masala burger patties or homemade ones are good too!

I sometimes include little love note in Roo's lunchbox...

Instant spanish rice with vegetables, almonds, apples, grapes, strawberries

Instant spanish rice with vegetables, cheese and salsa : Leftover rice recipe - 1 and 1/2 cup cooked rice, 1 cup thinly grated carrots, 1 cup finely chopped spinach, 1/4 cup salsa [ finely chopped tomatoes, onions, coriander/ cilantro, lemon juice, red chili powder, salt] or taco sauce, 1/4 cup cheese, salt and pepper.

Mix everything else other than rice and microwave it for 30 seconds, then mix rice and microwave for another minute. I gave it in hot lunch box so it will be warm for lunch.

Almonds, Grapes, Strawberries, Apple slices - to prevent apple slices turning brown until lunch - I use orange juice on it or rub an orange slice on the apple slice...Lemon juice can be used (Lemon juice changes its taste)... wash apple slices with salt + cold water.

Roo likes this version of spanish rice.

Roo was 4 years old when first time I made this rice for dinner from leftover rice...next morning she asked me - do we have any leftover rice?...to make spanish rice :) I cooked fresh rice that morning and made spanish rice for her lunch too.

Israeli style couscous blend with vegetables and beans, plum and strawberry

Grains blend - Israeli couscous, Orzo pasta, baby garbanzo beans and Quinoa - In a pot heat 1 teaspoon oil, add finely chopped 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon fresh (dry) oregano, chopped onion, grated carrots, chopped celery, cannellini beans [I soak dry beans, cook them with salt and in glass jar keep it in the freezer], lima beans, sliced mushrooms, chopped spinach, 1 cup of grains blend (for lunch boxes), 2 cups of hot water, salt, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (2 chopped tomatoes/ tomato paste), 1 teaspoon sugar to balance the taste of vinegar. let it cook for 15 minutes...stiring in between.

Roo likes Quinoa which is mixed in. This dish is 2 thumbs up from her. She asks for KusKus for dinner :)

with Plum slices and strawberries.