Lunchboxes for the Pre-Schooler, Part 2

Entering second month of my lunchbox making for the kiddo, some how have new inspirations this round and created more varieties. I am going simpler and making more meals that can pre-make, such as origini (rice balls) and sandwiches, and still healthy none-the-less.

You may refer to the previous post for more idea & tricks to prepare quick and healthy lunchbox ;) Lunch box under 30 minutes - for the busy moms

Rice, Onigiri & Congee

Sandwiches, Burgers & Nuggets

On the lighter side, some simple bites.

My little boy really loves the mommy-made bento, I guess his happy face and healthy growth are the key motivations for me. 

Hope you get some inspirations from this post too, please do feel free to share with me and the rest of the readers your bento ideas too! ;-)

Cheers,

PH 

Super Fast Snack: Cheesy French Toast 乳酪法国吐司

This a simple snack that can be ready in no time and Cheddar cheese provides extra calcium for the growing bones, so do give it a try today.

Preparation Time: 3 min
Cooking Time: 5 min
Serving for: 2 little ones

Teriyaki Chicken Fillet and Avocado Sandwich 鸡柳牛油果三文治

I had an avocado chicken burger at a popular cafe in town recently and I regretted my choice; the burger was dry and the patty was plain and flaky. Having paid RM24 for that burger, I was disappointed with what I've got. So, on the next day, I bought some fresh chicken fillet and decided to make a tender and juicy chicken burger (well, I made sandwich instead). With same amount I paid for the individual meal, I made enough to feed 4 person!

Ethan loved the sandwich, after 2 big bites he told me "hmmm mommy, this is delicious!". He then finished his sandwich effortlessly by himself. He even ate up the extra fillet on the plate, so did my big guy. Do give this recipe a try as it is really easy. :)

Preparation Time: 35 min
Cooking Time: 15 min
Serving for: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients:
8 pieces of chicken fillets, cleaned

Chicken Marinate (A):
4 table spoons of Teriyaki Sauce
1 tea spoon of Chinese Sao Xin wine 花雕绍兴酒 (skip for little one)
1 table spoon Paprika powder (optional, skip for little one)
a dash of of pepper
2 clove of garlic, chopped
Few drops of sesame oil

Sandwich ingredient (B):
1 Wholemeal loaf, cut into 8 thick slices
1 medium size avocado
8-12 leaves of lettuce
4 slice of natural cheddar cheese
1/2 Japanese cucumber, thinly sliced

Step-by-Step Guides:
1. Rub each fillet with a small amount of salt using your hand. Ensure the salt are evenly distributed.
2. Put all ingredient A in a bowl, add the chicken fillets and ensure they are thoroughly coated with the marinate.
3. Cover the marinated chicken fillet with a cling foam (or a plate) leave in fridge for about 30minutes.
4. Heat up 2 table spoons of olive oil in a non-stick frying pan, gently lay the chicken fillet one by one, make sure they do not overlap.
5. Cook each side for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Do not over cook as you want the fillet to be juicy and tender when eaten. Set aside the chicken fillets once done.

Assembling the sandwich..
6. Slit a ripe avocado half length wise, remove the core and scope out the flesh using a table spoon. Cut into big slices.
7. Arrange the lettuce, avocado, teriyaki chicken filets, cheese and sliced cucumbers on a bread loaf. Serve with ketchup or your favorite hot sauce.


Variation - Chicken Teriyaki Pocket
When serving for little ones, I would recommend to use round bun and only make an 2/3 opening cut, so the bun functions like a pocket for you to stuff the fillings. It's easier for the little hands to handle and definitely less clean up for mommies later :)

Useful Tips!
1. You can store the cooked chicken fillet for making wraps later. Refer to the wrap recipe for idea on how to make a toast wrap.
2. Remaining avocado can be used to make a cup of avocado smoothies, or mix with milk and feed to young baby.

The ingredients for the marinate.

Veggie Patty Sandwich 蔬菜蛋饼三文治

Does your little one likes mushrooms and onions? Not my picky Ethan, he is so insistent of pulling out mushroom and onion if he sees any in his meal. So, sneaking some mushrooms and onion into his burger patty is one of the best methods I can think of.

My trick worked. My little boy happily ate up the veggie patty sandwich without realizing what's in them. Mission accomplished! :)

You can replace the vegetables below with any other options available in your kitchen, do ensure the mixture is not too watery else they will not hold the shape.

Veggie Patty Platter, yummy breakfast time...

Preparation Time: 30min
Cooking Time: 15min
Serving for: 4 person

Ingredients:
4 slices of sandwich bread
10-12 salad leaves
Tomato Ketchup (or replace with fresh puree)

For Veggie Patty (A):
4 table spoons chopped Cauliflower / Broccoli
4 table spoons chopped Onion
4 table spoons chopped green beans
2 large portobello mushrooms, chopped
2 gloves garlic, chopped
4 table spoons bread crumb
2 Eggs
1 table spoon all purpose flour
Few fresh basil leaves (optional)
Dash of salt and black pepper

Step-by-Step Guides:

1. Mix all ingredient A together, roughly blend them. Add salt, black pepper and herbs of your choice to taste.
2. Heat up a table spoon of olive oil in a frying pan, scoop 2 spoonful of veggie mixture into the pan. Cook eat side for 5 min, becareful when turning so it will retain a nice circle shape.
3. Serve with salad leaves and tomato ketchup over sandwich breads.

I let my little boy helped to squeez the "Up-side down" Heinz Ketchup onto the patty, he was excited like hero of the day, busy helping everyone to squeeze the ketchup. Let the little ones help up in doing little chores, you'll be surprised how much they enjoy it. :)

Tips when Serving for  Little Ones! 

For younger infants below 2 years old, you may let them  eat the entire patty as-is by hands, or smash up the patty to avoid risk of chocking.

Veggie Patty for the little ones

Egg Sausage Breakfast Roll with Fruits

Both my big guy and Ethan love eating sausages, not being a meat lover myself, I always try to add greens and fruits into the meals for a more healthy serving.

As ready packed sausages selling at the supermarket often contain more fats and intestine, I would prefer to buy gourmet sausage from the specialized store, the ratio of meat to fats / intestine are generally lower. (they are generally available in meat section in most super market, otherwise my favorite is Sanbantou in SS2, it's non-halal store).

Interesting fact: the word sausage is derived fromOld French word saussiche and Latin word solsus, where both means, salted. :)

Preparation Time: 30 min
Cooking Time: 10 min
Serving for: 2 Person
Suitable for: 2 Years+

Ingredients:
4 Gourmet Sausages, room temperature
4 Breakfast Roll (available from any bakery store)
8 salad leaves (lettuce, butterhead)
2 Eggs
2 table spoon of fresh milk (optional)
1 Red Apple, cut to 8 slices
8 Strawberries, cut half

Equipment Required:
1. Frying Pan

Step-by-Step Guides:
1. Slits 3 cuts on both sides of the sausages (about 2" long, this is to prevent the sausage from ballooning up while cooking then shrinks suddenly once it's removed from the pan).
2. Pan fry the sausage until well cook - approximate 3 minutes on each side. Cut the sausage into half.
3. Beat the eggs in a bowl, add the milk, then salt and pepper to taste.
4. Heat up olive oil on the frying pan, pour few spoonful of egg liquid on the frying pan, fold the egg into a rectangular shape using the spatula. Make 4 fried eggs. Set aside.
5. Slits the breakfast roll from the center (do not cut completely), spread with some butter on each side. Spread the salad leaves, follow by sausage and egg.

To serve, squeeze some mayonnaise or ketchup on top. Arrange the apples and strawberries on the side of the plate as deco. With 1 apple slice & 2 strawberries slice you can get a fruity butterfly pattern :)

Happy Kiddie Sandwich

Having headache wondering what to prepare for your little one's lunch box or breakfast? Simple sandwiches can be made real attractive, just put on your creativity cap and you may amaze yourself and your little ones. :)

Below are just some samples that I have made, the outcome of the sandwich really depends to what cookie cutters you have, so be flexible and change according to your available resources.

Say Hello to Little Cheesy Bears :)

Preparation Time: 10 min
Serving for: 1 Kid

Ingredients:
1 slice sandwich bread
1 slice cheddar cheese
1 cube unsweetened or semi sweetened chocolate
1 table spoon chocolate rice
8 Cherios wholemeal cereals
2 large fresh strawberries.

Step by Step Guides:

For Cheesy Bear Sandwich:
1. To prepare melted chocolate, heat up a small cube of cooking chocolate in microwave on high heat for 3 minutes.
2. Place a slice of cheddar cheese over sandwich bread, cut into desired shape using a cookie cutter. Dip 1 side of a cherios into melted chocolate then place onto the bear shape as buttons, add 2 drops of melted chocolate as eyes.

For Chocolate Ball:
3. Gather all remaining bits of the bread and cheese (from step 2), finely cut them then roll into a ball shape using your palms. Coat with melted chocolate then sprinkle with colorful rice chocolates. Let chocolate harden before serving.

For the Heart:
4. Cut strawberries into slices, arrange into heart shape. Using a cookie cutter or kitchen knife, cut the cheddar chess into heart shape and arrange on top. Add a drop of melted chocolate or fruit jam.

Ethan was excited when he saw these cute little sandwiches, he happily ate up all while watching his favorite TV programme. Hope your little ones will too love these too. :)

Visit here for more Snack Box Ideas for your little ones. .