June 2020 - Ballito Umhlanga

DEB SHARES A FEW OF HER
FAVOURITE LUNCHTIME TIPS AND
RECIPES:
TIP: Using a colourful silicon cup is a
super way to add a bit of colour to the
plate, and works so well in a lunchbox
if you want to separate the foods. Just
make sure you use a cup that is as
high as the lunchbox, so that when
the lid is on it won’t spill (because we
all know how kids use their cooler
boxes as soccer balls at school)!
TIP: You can find cocktail sticks at
party shops to add some fun into the
lunch. Just be sure to break off the
sharp ends if there’s a chance that
they will be used as weapons at break
time.
RECIPE:
BAKED SPAGHETTI NESTS
Using left-over spaghetti and not
even messing up another bowl in
the making. Quick & easy, and these
can be frozen for a time in the future
when the kids are back at ‘real’ school.
It’s a super way to send some pasta for
lunch without the mess, as the baking
process holds them together for their
journey through the playground.
Just use your left-over spaghetti from
supper and mix in an egg or two
(depending on how much spaghetti
you have left). Then add a handful of
grated Parmesan and some grated
mozzarella. Lightly grease a muffin
tray. Use a fork to twirl the ribbons of
spaghetti into ‘nests’ into each muffin
cup. Bake in the oven for about 15
minutes at 180°C.
TIP:
VEGGIE STICKS TASTE BETTER
WITH A DIP!
Fill the bottom part of a snacking
pepper with hummus or cream
cheese for a cup that can also be
gobbled up.
RECIPE:
QUICK & EASY CHICKEN BITES
(two variations)
“These are so simple to mix together,
using staples from your cupboard.
They taste great and can be frozen
(for when lunchboxes are pulled
out again)! (recipe credit : @kellys_
kitchensouthafrica)
Add 500g chicken mince (if you don’t
have, simply use an S blade on a food
processor and pulse the chicken, cut
up into cubes) to the following for
the two very different spins on these
chicken bites:
Apple & Carrot: 1 carrot, finely grated;
1 apple; peeled and grated; 1 tsp
Coconut (or olive) oil OR
Zucchini & Corn: 2 zucchinis (or
marrows), grated; corn kernels from
a kob (or you can use a handful of
drained tinned corn); dash of lemon
juice; 1 tsp Coconut (or olive) oil; salt
and pepper to taste
There’s no need to cook anything
up first. Just combine the mince and
other ingredients into a bowl. Season
to preference and shape into bitesized
balls. Place on a lined baking
tray at 180ºC for about 15 minutes
or until cooked through. Store in an
airtight container in the fridge for a
few days, or freeze them for another
day.
TIP:
Add a touch of Bento fun with these
googly eyes from @cloud.and.co
(www.cloudandco.co.za) You will be
amazed at how the kids may actually
eat something they would not have
usually! Also, spiralising carrot is an
easy way to add a bit of fun to a
boring veggie! See how long you can
make your carrot ribbons without
breaking!
RECIPE:
CHUCK-EM EGGY MUFFINS
This literally is a ‘chuck ‘em all in’ quick
and easy recipe using a few eggs
and whatever veggies you have lying
around after supper. These can be
frozen and popped into the lunchbox
in the morning!
Beat six eggs in a large bowl and add
in half a cup of grated cheese. ‘Chuck
in’ a few handfuls of diced veggies
– cooked or uncooked (broccoli,
peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower,
peas) and, if you have, some diced
meat such as ham or left-over
chicken. Pour the egg mixture into
lightly greased muffin cups (fill to just
below the top) and bake for 18 to 20
minutes, or until the eggs are set.
Delicious warm or cold, they will
keep in the fridge for a few days, or a
couple of months in the freeze.
Details: @lunchboxlifesavers
WATCH NOW
Deb shares some ‘fun in
lunch’ tips!
June 2020 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga 37