Tag: lunch box ideas

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25 Nutritious and Delicious Lunch Box Ideas to Keep Mealtime Exciting

Summer vacation is ending soon, and it’s time to get back to our daily routines. As we transition from lazy summer days to busy school schedules, packing a nutritious and tasty lunch box becomes essential. Here are 25 lunch box ideas that are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients. Whether you’re preparing lunch for kids or adults, these suggestions are sure to help you out.

1. Spinach, Beetroot, Carrot Idlies

These colorful idlies are a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Packed with the goodness of spinach, beetroot, and carrots, theyā€™re a healthy alternative to regular idlies. Pair them with coconut chutney or a tangy tomato sauce for a complete meal.

2. Mix Veggies Paratha

Stuffed with a mix of seasonal vegetables, these parathas are a wholesome meal in themselves. Serve with a side of curd or pickle to add a tangy twist. They are not only nutritious but also a great way to ensure your kids get their daily dose of veggies.

3. Channa Kabab

Chickpeas are a great source of protein and these channa kababs are both delicious and nutritious. Theyā€™re great on their own or as a patty in a sandwich. Serve with a mint chutney or ketchup to make it more appealing.

4. Potato Chilla

A quick and easy recipe, potato chillas are savory pancakes made with grated potatoes and spices. Theyā€™re crispy and loved by all. Pair them with a side of yogurt or a tangy chutney for added flavor.

5. Soya Nutri Pulao

This protein-packed pulao made with soya chunks and vegetables is a great lunch box option. Itā€™s filling and full of flavor, ensuring your child gets the necessary nutrients to stay active throughout the day.

6. Broccoli Paratha

Broccoli, often disliked by kids, can be turned into a delicious stuffing for parathas. Add some cheese to make it even more appealing. Serve with a side of raita or pickle for a complete meal.

7. Mix Vegetables Pulao

This colorful and nutritious pulao is made with a mix of vegetables and basmati rice. Itā€™s a wholesome meal thatā€™s easy to prepare and ensures a balanced diet.

8. Stuffed Moong Dal Chilla

Chillas made with moong dal are healthy and packed with protein. Stuff them with a mix of vegetables for added nutrition. Pair them with a side of green chutney or ketchup.

9. Paneer Bhurji + Paratha

Paneer bhurji is a quick and tasty dish that goes perfectly with parathas. Itā€™s high in protein and very filling. Add some chopped vegetables to the bhurji for an extra nutrient boost.

10. Stuffed Gobhi Paratha

A delicious and nutritious option, stuffed gobhi parathas are made with spiced cauliflower filling. Serve with a side of curd or pickle for a tangy twist.

11. Podi Idli

Idlis tossed in a flavorful podi (spice mix) are a hit with kids and adults alike. Theyā€™re easy to make and perfect for a lunch box. Pair them with a side of coconut chutney.

12. Podi Dosa

Dosas sprinkled with podi (spice mix) and a drizzle of ghee make for a tasty and healthy lunch. Serve with a side of sambar or chutney.

13. Spinach Corn Sandwich

A healthy sandwich stuffed with spinach and corn. Itā€™s easy to make and a great lunch box idea. Add some cheese to make it even more appealing.

14. Pesto Spaghetti

A delightful pasta dish made with pesto sauce, spaghetti, and a mix of vegetables. Itā€™s a nutritious and tasty option thatā€™s sure to be a hit.

15. Beetroot Paneer Paratha

A delightful combination of beetroot and paneer stuffed in a whole wheat paratha. Itā€™s colorful, healthy, and a great way to sneak in some veggies.

16. Corn Cutlets

Crispy and golden, these corn cutlets are perfect for a quick snack or lunch. Made with sweet corn, potatoes, and spices, theyā€™re a hit with kids and adults alike.

17. Methi Puri

These fenugreek-flavored puris are a healthy twist on the traditional puri. Pair them with a side of yogurt or pickle for a complete meal.

18. Beetroot Carrot Appe

Soft and spongy, these appes made from beetroot and carrot are not only nutritious but also fun to eat. They make a perfect lunch box item for kids.

19. Rajma Cutlets

Rich in protein and fiber, rajma cutlets are a delicious and healthy option. Theyā€™re great on their own or as a patty in a sandwich.

20. Curd Rice with Beetroot

A refreshing dish for hot days, curd rice with beetroot is cooling and delicious. Itā€™s easy to digest and loved by kids and adults alike.

21. Quinoa Salad

A healthy and colorful quinoa salad loaded with vegetables, nuts, and a light dressing. Itā€™s perfect for a light and nutritious lunch.

22. Vegetable Frankie

A delicious wrap made with roti and stuffed with a mix of vegetables and spices. Itā€™s a fun and healthy lunch box option.

23. Millet Khichdi

A nutritious and easy-to-digest khichdi made with millets and vegetables. Itā€™s light yet filling.

24. Spinach Corn Sandwich

A healthy sandwich stuffed with spinach and corn. Itā€™s easy to make and a great lunch box idea.

25. Vegetable Macaroni

 A classic macaroni dish loaded with colorful vegetables.

Packing a nutritious and tasty lunch box can be challenging, but with these ideas, you can ensure that every meal is both enjoyable and healthy. Try these recipes and make lunchtime exciting and varied.

What are your go-to lunch box recipes? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below!

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Coconut/Thengai Dosa- Karnataka Style Spongy Dosa

Karnataka style coconut dosa (Thengai dosai in Tamil) is a flavorful, yummy dosa variety. It is prepared with rice, poha and coconut as the main ingredients.

This dosa is so delicious. The texture is spongy, super soft and totally melt in mouth. Coconut adds a very refreshing taste to this dosa and takes the regular dosa to a whole new level. This is a healthy and a filling breakfast dish which takes only minutes to cook. Adding flattened rice, poha as we call it, makes it fluffier and softer than traditional dosas.

This is my childā€™s favourite breakfast meal. The first time I made this dosa some 3 years back, my child literally gobbled 4 of these. I made extra batter to last me 2-3 days and in those 3 days all he took was coconut dosa in his school lunch box too. šŸ˜„ Even today whenever I make this for breakfast, I see the same excitement on his face.

Traditionally, this is made without adding urad dal, but I added some to add more protein. You can skip it if you like. The softness in this dosa comes from natural fermentation. There is no need to add any leavening agents to it. Fermented dosa offers a wealth of nutritional value, thanks to the fermentation process. When the batter undergoes fermentation, all the beneficial micro-organisms convert sugar and carbohydrates from rice and dal to lactic acid. One of the significant benefits of fermentation is the increased bioavailability of nutrients. Also, the final product becomes easy to digest, making it an ideal choice for those with sensitive stomach or digestive issues.

Batter consistency is the key to the success of this recipe. It should be pouring consistency batter, neither too runny nor thick like idli batter.

Recipe:

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 3 minutes 
Fermentation time: 8-10 hoursServing: makes 10-12 dosas

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raw Rice
  • 1/2 cup thin Poha/Flattened Rice
  • 1 tbsp Methi/Fenugreek seeds
  • 1/4th cup white split Urad dal
  • 3/4th cup grated fresh Coconut
  • 1 tsp Rock Salt or Himalayan Pink Salt
  • Table Salt to taste
  • Oil or Ghee to cook dosa

Instructions

  • Wash and soak all the ingredients mentioned above except coconut for 5 hours.
  • Now, drain all the water. Add grated coconut and blend the batter to a smooth consistency. Add a little water at a time. Do not make too thin or a thick batter. Make sure everything is well combined.
  • Transfer the batter to a large bowl. Make sure there is some room in the bowl because the batter will rise during fermentation. Add a tsp of rock salt and mix well. Cover and leave the batter for fermentation in a warm place for 8 to 9 hours.
  • After the fermentation the batter will become very frothy. Add salt to taste. Now you can add regular table salt. Mix it very gently till it is well combined. Do not over mix the batter.
  • Heat dosa tawa on a medium heat. Add a ladle full of batter. Spread slightly. Drizzle some ghee or oil around the edges and cover it with a lid for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Steam the dosa till top has set and the edges have browned.
  • Take it out on a plate and serve it with coconut chutney or sambar.

Fermentation Tips

  • Add rock salt to the batter before fermenting. Rock salt or Himalayan pink salt helps in fermentation. Do not use table salt.
  • Do not skip fenugreek or methi seeds. It is the main ingredient that helps in fermentation.
  • Do not add water in one go. Keep adding little by little to get right batter consistency.
  • Mix the final batter with your hands for 2 to 3 minutes and keep it in a warm place. The warmth of your hand will help in fermentation.
  • If you stay in a dry or cold place, fermentation may take more than 9 hours. You can place the batter in a pre-heated oven.

Storage

Securely seal the container and store the leftover batter in the refrigerator. The lower temperature will slow down the fermentation process, allowing you to use the batter for several days. While fresh batter tastes the best, but you store the batter for 2 to 3 days without compromising on the taste. Beyond that I do not recommend storing the batter. Freezing idli or dosa batter is not recommended. Freezing will lead to change in the texture and taste. Before using refrigerated batter give it a gentle stir to redistribute the ingredients.

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Healthy Iron Rich Pancake- Kid Friendly Recipe

Kids have limited appetite. Give your child the best nutrition in that little food that they eat. The biggest struggle for vegetarians or vegans is to fulfill their child’s iron needs. While balanced diet here is the key but we all know how balanced it gets with the children especially the ones who are picky eaters.

So, I am going to share with you a simple recipe which has a great balance of protein and iron.

We all make BESAN CHEELAS at home. Sharing with you a simple way wherein you can make the best out that one Cheela that your child eats. šŸ˜Š And trust me it comes out delicious and packed with flavours. Also, this makes a great lunch box recipe too.

This recipe requires no elaborate preparations, so donā€™t need to plan ahead either. Just stir together the ingredients to make a batter, pour it on a hot griddle & cook up a delicious healthy meal.

What is Cheela?

Cheela is a sweet or savory Indian Pancakes made using lentils, cereal or grain flour. They are often made without any leavening agents, so they are considered to be healthy.

What is Besan?

Besan is a Hindi word which means “gram flour”. It is a pulse flour made using channa dal or chickpea flour. So besan cheela is gram flour pancakes. These pancakes are Gluten Free, vegan and nutritious. Gram flour is a fabulous source of protein, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6. Just 100 grams of gram flour can give you 22 grams of easy to digest natural protein. You can make these pancakes with basic ingredients as well but when you add green leafy vegetables to it, it not only enhances the taste but also makes it wholesome and an amazing source of iron for your kids.

Also the vegetables I have added are all homegrown. If you donā€™t have enough space, grow them in small pots. Itā€™s no rocket science. Just get a few pots or grow bags, potting soil and seeds from any nursery near your house. Engage your children while planting it. The satisfaction of eating your homegrown organic vegetables is unmatchable. Try it!

Ingredients

Prep time: 5 minsServing: makes 3 Pancakes
Cook time: 5 mins
  • Besan/Chickpea flour: 1/2 cup
  • Sattu/Roasted Gram flour: 1/4th cup
  • Semolina/Suji: 1/4th cup
  • Cumin seeds/Jeera:  1/8th tsp
  • Bishop seeds/Ajwain: 1/8th tsp
  • Garam Masala: 1/4th tsp
  • Roasted Cumin powder: 1/4th tsp
  • Turmeric: 1/4th tsp
  • Salt & Black pepper to taste
  • Chat Masala to taste (optional)
  • Coriander powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Water as required 
  • Chopped Methi (Fenugreek), Spinach, Radish leaves, Mint leaves, Curry leaves & Coriander leaves: 1 cup
  • Onion: 2 tbsp, finely chopped
  • Ginger: 2ā€ long, grated
  • Ghee or Oil as required 

Method

1 Take Besan/Chickpeas flour, Sattu or Roasted Gram flour (great source of protein) and Semolina/Suji (for crispiness) in a bowl.

2. To this add turmeric, cumin seeds, ajwain/bishop seeds, garam masala, roasted cumin powder, black pepper, salt, chaat masala and coriander powder. Mix it well. Add enough water to make a thin but not a runny batter. Start with 1/4th cup water and the gradually add more as required. Continue whisking until the batter has a smooth, flowing consistency. There shouldnā€™t be any lumps, so make sure to break those up while mixing the batter.

Tip: Use a wire whisk to whisk the batter. This will ensure that your batter is lump free.

3. Now add chopped methi (fenugreek) leaves, spinach leaves, onion, grated ginger (fabulous food for digestion), curry leaves, coriander & mint leaves. Use the leaves that are in season. All the green leaves are a great source of iron and this is one of the best ways to incorporate this in your child’s and your diet.

4. Keep the batter aside for 10 minutes. Heat a cast iron tawa on a medium to low heat. I have made it on normal tawa in which we make rotis but if you canā€™t make it on tawa then you can use a non stick pan as well.

5. Brush the tawa with desi ghee or oil. Add generously to avoid dry cheelas because besan tends to soak ghee/oil. Take a ladle or Ā¼ to ā…“ of a measuring cup full of the batter and pour on the pan. Spread the batter evenly with the back of your ladle to make thin cheelas.

6. Then continue to cook the chilla on a low to medium-low heat until the top begins to set. You can drizzle some more oil or ghee along the edges for a crispy cheela.

7. You can flip the chilla once or twice for even cooking.
Once the base gets golden brown, itā€™s time to flip the cheela. Cook the other sides till you see golden spots on cheela. You can flip the cheela once or twice for even cooking.

8. Finally, fold it and then serve it mint chutney, homemade ketchup or the way your child likes it.

Enjoy!! šŸ˜Š

Notes:

  • If some of the spices mentioned above are not available, feel free to skip them.
  • Incase you don’t find sattu or roasted gram flour, feel free to skip it and add more besan or chickpea flour. However, sattu is a great source of protein and iron, so it’ll be great if you can get your hands on it.