This upcoming school year is going to be fraught with all sorts of anxiety. A comforting school lunch can help ease some of those fears and stresses. Classic sandwiches, hot meals and snacks may bring a smile to those worried faces.
Fun lunches and riffs on cafeteria classics can easily be recreated at home. This is great if the kids are returning to classrooms right away and need to bring a lunch. Egg and tuna salad sandwiches are staples in any school and even college cafeterias. For the egg salad spike it up with some parsley or paprika for color. Tuna salad can be crunched up with the addition of celery which also gives it a shot of green too.Of course kids love bologna and turkey too.Many love the squish of both mayo and mustard. Combine these for a new condiment with the addition of toasted mustard seeds. The last are easy to toast. It's just five minutes in a 350 degree Farenheit oven. Of course there is the loved for generations peanut butter and jelly . Vary it with crunchy peanut butte or all natural kinds. Change it up with either cashew or almond butter if the little ones are OK with that. (Keep in mind that some will freak out if you replace one kind of peanut butter with another). Get sandwich cutters to give them a festive look. what's good about these is that the cutters also seal in the filling so it doesn't squish all over the place. These will also come in handy when the little and not so little ones return to the classroom.
Some kids may not be returning to their classrooms until October or November. This means a hot or more substantial lunch. This is where your crockpot can come in handy. Make a big pot of chili for dinner one night and lunch the next (also remember that it can be used to top hot dogs too). Think about making crockpot tomato sauce which can be used over such kid favorites as spaghetti and ravioli. Kids love a good steamy bowl of tomato soup. Sure you can open a can but homemade is better - and much more flavorful. It's just taking plum tomatoes and cooking it with either chicken or vegetable broth. There's also diced onions, seasonings and garlic to round out the flavors. It's all stirred and cooked in the crockpot for six to eight hours.Grilled cheese is another kid favorite. Add a slice of ham for a croque monsieur vibe. Older kids may like it the French bistro version with a bechamel sauce on top. Bechamel is an easy blend of milk,butter and flour. Salt, pepper and nutmeg are the seasonings that elevate it. You could serve it with bistro fries or shoe string potatoes for a really fun lunch.
Start this unprecedented school year off with familiar foods for lunch.It can be a hot soup or a cold PB & J sandwich. Whatever they like as long as it's a comfort to them.
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Saturday, August 29, 2020
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Campus Cooks
Thousands of college students will be leaving for college for the first time or returning to their apartments in the next couple of weeks. The scary part? They'll be cooking on their own. They'll be cutting, chopping, broiling and boiling - and possibly making some mistakes. Make sure that they have the right gear - not just tablets and an open Amazon account - but everything from cookbooks to cutting boards. Get them ready now for a semester of their version of fine dining.
One of the best things to get any college kid is a cookbook filled with simple and basic recipes. There are actually ones that are geared towards your collegiate. Rhonda Lauret Parkinson has written one of the most comprehensive ones, The Everything College Cookbook, 300 Hassle Free Recipes For Students On The Go. (F&W Publications) This decade old book has everything to get the student from breakfast to snack time to cramming for exams. Another good cookbook is The Healthy College Cookbook, written by Alexandra Nimitz and Jason Stanley along with The Starving Student by Dede Hall that features vegan and vegetarian dishes (all can be bought or downloaded on Amazon). The next items of importance are pots and pans. Unless your kid is going to the CIA , Culinary Institute of America, you can buy two or three vital ones instead of a whole sets. Buy cookware that can have multiple uses. A stockpot can make chili, but also can boil pasta or a lobster. A fry pan is excellent at making burgers but also grilled cheese too. A microwave is handy, and great for cooking leftovers but a better investment is a toaster oven.It's healthier and can be used for everything from reheating to baking.
Tools are also important too in a student's kitchen.A good all purpose knife ,which can be bought at any supermarket, is one of the most important items for any home chef. I have a Farberware one that I've used for slicing bread, chopping veggies and even carving roast chicken. The second most important item is a good wooden spoon. These are great for stirring everything from sauces to soups. They can be bought in different sizes and will last until the next generation is ready for college. A cutting board is next on the list.It's a must for mess less chopping whether meat, veggies or fruit.Freezer bags are another must. They will come in handy for leftovers or making dinners for busy exam weeks, As far as gadgets, a mini food processor will always come in handy. It's great for making everything from banana "ice cream" to hummus. An emulsion blender is another must. It's takes up less space than a regular blender but works perfectly in creating sauces, smoothies and even condiments like homemade mayo.As for foods, make sure your campus chef has boullon cubes, perfect on their own or used as the base for soups. Peanut butter is another must.It can be made into a quick sandwich or in baking. Pasta and pasta sauce should also be on the list. These create a hot homey meal in no time. Make sure that there's also bread, cereal and canned tuna.
College is a time of new experiences. Cooking for oneself is one of those. Make sure your collegiate is ready for it with a well stocked kitchen.
One of the best things to get any college kid is a cookbook filled with simple and basic recipes. There are actually ones that are geared towards your collegiate. Rhonda Lauret Parkinson has written one of the most comprehensive ones, The Everything College Cookbook, 300 Hassle Free Recipes For Students On The Go. (F&W Publications) This decade old book has everything to get the student from breakfast to snack time to cramming for exams. Another good cookbook is The Healthy College Cookbook, written by Alexandra Nimitz and Jason Stanley along with The Starving Student by Dede Hall that features vegan and vegetarian dishes (all can be bought or downloaded on Amazon). The next items of importance are pots and pans. Unless your kid is going to the CIA , Culinary Institute of America, you can buy two or three vital ones instead of a whole sets. Buy cookware that can have multiple uses. A stockpot can make chili, but also can boil pasta or a lobster. A fry pan is excellent at making burgers but also grilled cheese too. A microwave is handy, and great for cooking leftovers but a better investment is a toaster oven.It's healthier and can be used for everything from reheating to baking.
Tools are also important too in a student's kitchen.A good all purpose knife ,which can be bought at any supermarket, is one of the most important items for any home chef. I have a Farberware one that I've used for slicing bread, chopping veggies and even carving roast chicken. The second most important item is a good wooden spoon. These are great for stirring everything from sauces to soups. They can be bought in different sizes and will last until the next generation is ready for college. A cutting board is next on the list.It's a must for mess less chopping whether meat, veggies or fruit.Freezer bags are another must. They will come in handy for leftovers or making dinners for busy exam weeks, As far as gadgets, a mini food processor will always come in handy. It's great for making everything from banana "ice cream" to hummus. An emulsion blender is another must. It's takes up less space than a regular blender but works perfectly in creating sauces, smoothies and even condiments like homemade mayo.As for foods, make sure your campus chef has boullon cubes, perfect on their own or used as the base for soups. Peanut butter is another must.It can be made into a quick sandwich or in baking. Pasta and pasta sauce should also be on the list. These create a hot homey meal in no time. Make sure that there's also bread, cereal and canned tuna.
College is a time of new experiences. Cooking for oneself is one of those. Make sure your collegiate is ready for it with a well stocked kitchen.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Healthy Care Packages
This is the time of year when kids start going back to college. That means eating at all different hours and non stop snacking. It also means gaining weight and unhealthy diets. What to do? Plan for sending good and healthy care packages.
It's hard to monitor your student when he or she are miles away. You can always tell them to eat healthy and instill good eating habits when they're at home. However that all changes when they get their first nip of freedom. What you can do is either bring or send healthy and tasty dishes that make up for all that junk. Iif you're a two or three hour drive away from the campus you can always visit with a cooler of premade frozen dinners. Most dorms have some kind of kitchen or microwave where they can cook or live in a regular apartment or house with a kitchen. You can easily premake whole wheat pastas with healthy , fresh made sauce. These are always tasty and appreciated. Also think about making dinners that feature salmon or chicken. Bring brown rice dishes as well or bring boxes of it for the kids to cook fresh.
If your collegiate is farther than three hours then send a care package. The most traditional care packages contain homemade cookies along with cakes and breads. If you want these to be healthy then consider baking with whole wheat or gluten free flour.A good recipe is oatmeal raisin cookies made with whole wheat flour and brown sugar. You can also add good for you cranberries and walnuts. Of course the more appreciated are chocolate chip cookies. These can easily be made with all natural ingredients. Think about sending whole wheat breads and cakes too for alternative treats. A slice of zucchini or banana bread is a great snack for the morning or during an evening study session. Care packages also can contain dry or jarred ingredients. You can pack whole wheat pastas, all natural jams and sauces along with homemade granola mixes too
Even though you;re not there you can still make sure your kids eat healthy. Send them care packages not only packed with love but with nutritious snacks and treats. Your dorm student will have fun food and a good diet.
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It's hard to monitor your student when he or she are miles away. You can always tell them to eat healthy and instill good eating habits when they're at home. However that all changes when they get their first nip of freedom. What you can do is either bring or send healthy and tasty dishes that make up for all that junk. Iif you're a two or three hour drive away from the campus you can always visit with a cooler of premade frozen dinners. Most dorms have some kind of kitchen or microwave where they can cook or live in a regular apartment or house with a kitchen. You can easily premake whole wheat pastas with healthy , fresh made sauce. These are always tasty and appreciated. Also think about making dinners that feature salmon or chicken. Bring brown rice dishes as well or bring boxes of it for the kids to cook fresh.
If your collegiate is farther than three hours then send a care package. The most traditional care packages contain homemade cookies along with cakes and breads. If you want these to be healthy then consider baking with whole wheat or gluten free flour.A good recipe is oatmeal raisin cookies made with whole wheat flour and brown sugar. You can also add good for you cranberries and walnuts. Of course the more appreciated are chocolate chip cookies. These can easily be made with all natural ingredients. Think about sending whole wheat breads and cakes too for alternative treats. A slice of zucchini or banana bread is a great snack for the morning or during an evening study session. Care packages also can contain dry or jarred ingredients. You can pack whole wheat pastas, all natural jams and sauces along with homemade granola mixes too
Even though you;re not there you can still make sure your kids eat healthy. Send them care packages not only packed with love but with nutritious snacks and treats. Your dorm student will have fun food and a good diet.
.
Friday, August 19, 2011
College Days
Here in the US the third week of August usually means back to college. Some parents sigh with relief, Some get frantic with worry because of what their kids are going to or not going to eat. Don't fret. The best bet is get them started with healthy habits regarding meals and snacking. They'll be able to maintain a good diet plus nutrition along with avoiding the freshmen fifteen - those extra pounds gained during the first year.
Most freshman live In dorms where there is zero kitchen space. However some allow students to have a small microwave and mini fridge. If this is the case take advantage of the laxity. Invest in a good appliances that will take your student from the first year to the first apartment. Some universities do allow for cup warmers and hot plates. These are even good for heating up soups and baked mac cups. if your kid's school doesn't allow for these appliances have them at least keep fresh fruit and veggies around. Pick the kinds that doesn't have to be refrigerated. Also healthy snacks such as popcorn and even goldfish can be stored in the room. Most kids move to apartments their sophomore year and this means a whole working kitchen complete with full fridge and a stove.
You may also want to check out the town as well. College towns always have at least one supermarket for the "townies" or local townspeople. Also check out the privately owned groceries along with some smaller stores such as bakeries and produce sellers. Also get store discount cards the first week too. Another must is see what kind of restaurants are there in the immediate area. If there are a few good ones that feature healthy and organic food, then try them out almost immediately. These will be your student's go to places if he or she want a nice meal out. Try to avoid the fast food ones if you can.
The college years don't have to be filled with endless keggers and junk food binges. Students can have four years of good eating by choosing and cooking the right foods. it just takes a little know how and the old college try!
Most freshman live In dorms where there is zero kitchen space. However some allow students to have a small microwave and mini fridge. If this is the case take advantage of the laxity. Invest in a good appliances that will take your student from the first year to the first apartment. Some universities do allow for cup warmers and hot plates. These are even good for heating up soups and baked mac cups. if your kid's school doesn't allow for these appliances have them at least keep fresh fruit and veggies around. Pick the kinds that doesn't have to be refrigerated. Also healthy snacks such as popcorn and even goldfish can be stored in the room. Most kids move to apartments their sophomore year and this means a whole working kitchen complete with full fridge and a stove.
You may also want to check out the town as well. College towns always have at least one supermarket for the "townies" or local townspeople. Also check out the privately owned groceries along with some smaller stores such as bakeries and produce sellers. Also get store discount cards the first week too. Another must is see what kind of restaurants are there in the immediate area. If there are a few good ones that feature healthy and organic food, then try them out almost immediately. These will be your student's go to places if he or she want a nice meal out. Try to avoid the fast food ones if you can.
The college years don't have to be filled with endless keggers and junk food binges. Students can have four years of good eating by choosing and cooking the right foods. it just takes a little know how and the old college try!
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Old College Fry
Now that dorms are opening up again across the US it's time to look at what your college foodie is eating. It's going to be three months of snacks, fried food and Red Bull. This is the perfect time to instill good eating habits. All those veggies, fruits and good carbs will help them get through the crush of October mid terms and all nighters along with endless mixers and parties.
As any college kid, whether dorm student or commuter, will tell you college cafeteria food is pretty good (well at mine it was). My friends and I got into the habit of having daily burgers and fries for lunch or snacking on pizza and chips. We gained weight pretty fast thanks to those over fried, dripping with grease foods. Unlike today's kids we had no healthy alternatives. Now I see my students eat fresh fruit like pineapple and strawberries and wash that down with spring water.Also there are healthier entrees too like grilled chicken breasts and salads.
College campuses do still have the faves my generation loved. It's very easy to grab a Coke and a bag of Doritos as a snack. There are also hot dogs and hamburgers too. Impress that these are fine once n a while but just like kegger parties they can be damaging if done in excess.Create care packages filled with good for them favorites or leave fruit roll ups or granola bars , in your kids' cars.They'll get the message quick enough.
The college years are fast paced and fun. With that comes an appetite. Make sure your college kids eat well and eat healthy.
As any college kid, whether dorm student or commuter, will tell you college cafeteria food is pretty good (well at mine it was). My friends and I got into the habit of having daily burgers and fries for lunch or snacking on pizza and chips. We gained weight pretty fast thanks to those over fried, dripping with grease foods. Unlike today's kids we had no healthy alternatives. Now I see my students eat fresh fruit like pineapple and strawberries and wash that down with spring water.Also there are healthier entrees too like grilled chicken breasts and salads.
College campuses do still have the faves my generation loved. It's very easy to grab a Coke and a bag of Doritos as a snack. There are also hot dogs and hamburgers too. Impress that these are fine once n a while but just like kegger parties they can be damaging if done in excess.Create care packages filled with good for them favorites or leave fruit roll ups or granola bars , in your kids' cars.They'll get the message quick enough.
The college years are fast paced and fun. With that comes an appetite. Make sure your college kids eat well and eat healthy.
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