Tag: quick and easy

Three healthy baked treats to make with children

spwadmin Learning, Nutrition

 There are no doubts about the benefits of getting children involved in the kitchen. It teaches them the basic language of mathematics, introduces them to science and allows them to participate in all kinds of movements, such as stirring, measuring, pouring and grating. 

Everyone loves a baked treat, but they’re not always the healthiest. Believe it or not, these recipes also incorporate some delicious fresh vegetables! 

All recipes are via the chefs from our centres, so you know they’re child-tested and approved.  

 

Banana Monkey Muffins  

Banana Monkey Muffins                     

This recipe makes muffins that even the cheekiest monkey would go bananas for! With no refined sugar and delicious elements such as Greek yogurt and cinnamon, they won’t last long out of the oven.  

Makes 12 muffins  

Ingredients:                 

  • 1 and ¾ cups wholemeal self-raising flour
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup honey
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup chopped banana  

 

Method 

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and line a muffin tin with paper cases. 
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Mix them together with a whisk. 
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oil and honey and beat together with a whisk. Add the eggs and beat well, then add the yogurt and vanilla. Mix well. (If the coconut oil solidifies in contact with cold ingredients, gently warm the mixture in the microwave in 30 second bursts.) 
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a big spoon, just until combined (a few lumps are ok). 
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups  
  6. Bake the muffins for 16 to 19 minutes, or until the muffins are golden on top and a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. 
  7. Place the muffin tin on a cooling rack to cool – and enjoy! 

 

 carrot and oat cookies

Carrot and oat cookies 

Easy and delicious to make, why not whip up a batch of these cookies in the morning then enjoy them as part of a lunchtime picnic on the living room floor or outside, if weather permits. Just pack up your favourite teddies, some books to read and some delicious food – including these cookies, of course!   

 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup brown sugar 
  • 1 Tsp cinnamon 
  • 100gm unsalted butter 
  • 1 egg 
  • 2 grated carrots 
  • 2 ½ cups self-raising flour 
  • 1 cup rolled oats 

  

Method: 

  1. Melt butter, add sugar and eggs. Mix well. 
  2. Add rest of ingredients and combine well. If mixture is wet add a little more flour; this should be a cookie dough consistency. Roll, make into your choice of shapes and bake 180 degrees for approx. 15 minutes.

  

 Muesli bars 

Muesli bars 

Homemade muesli bars are delicious and surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon pick-me-up for both adults and children!  

 

Ingredients:  

  • ½ cup honey
  • 125 gm butter
  • 1 ½ cup rolled oats 
  • 1 cup rice bubbles 
  • 1 cup sultanas 
  • ½ cup dried apricot – diced 
  • ¼ chia seeds 
  • ¼ cup pepitas 
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds 

Method:   

  1. Melt the butter and honey in a pot until well combined.  
  2. Add rest of ingredients and bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 180 degrees. 
  3. Let cool completely or overnight, then cut into squares. 
  4. Optional: Top with blueberries or other berries of your choice! 

 

The best quick and easy lunch ideas for children

spwadmin Nutrition

 

In this unprecedented time, we understand that circumstances are quickly changing for families across Australia. With many spending so much time at home, we also understand that this comes with added pressures – including the endless question of what to feed your little ones every day!  

We’re lucky enough to have a team of experts across every one of our brands. Thanks to the nutritional experts, chefs and cooks who spend every day with children, they know what works to tempt those little taste buds! 

Check out our favourite ideas for quick and easy lunch  options below…  

 

 

Teddy bear’s antipasto 

Sometimes, you just don’t want a full, cooked meal. Sometimes a plate of delicious, child-friendly antipasto is enough! All of the below ingredients can be switched out, added or subtracted depending on what you’ve got in the fridge or the pantry. Just invite your favourite teddy bears to the picnic.  

Ingredients:  

  • Sliced ham 
  • Sliced chicken breast 
  • Sliced tomatoes 
  • Sliced cucumbers 
  • Sliced or cubed cheese
  • Grated carrots 
  • Baby bocconcini  
  • Selection of breads (buttered optional) 

Method: 

  1. Gather whatever you have for your antipasto picnic and arrange on a board or plate. 
  2. Enjoy! 

 

  

Spinach and feta scones  

Is there anything better than a fresh scone, straight out of the oven? There certainly is – when the scones are full of yummy spinach and feta! Serve with a side of chopped vegetables or salad to make for a delicious, light lunch.  

Serves 18 (mini scones) 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup frozen spinach, strained 
  • 2 tbsp. butter 
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ¼ cup milk 
  • 2 ½ cups wholemeal self-raising flour 
  • 1 cup white self-raising flour 
  • 1 cup crumbled feta 

Method: 

  1. Mash spinach with butter. Stir through egg, milk and cheese.  
  2. Sift flour into mixture and stir through. 
  3. Turn onto a floured surface and knead lightly.  Pat dough out into a square tin.  
  4. With a floured knife, score dough, almost through, into 18 squares.  Brush with a little extra milk.
  5. Bake in a very hot oven, 220°C, for 15 minutes or until risen and golden. 

 

 

Lazy vegetarian tacos 

Sometimes it’s nice to lighten things up a bit – and these vegetarian tacos are quick, healthy and easy to serve up deconstructed. Simply put each ingredient in its own bowl and let the little ones build their own tacos to their tastes. 

Makes 10 tacos  

Ingredients: 

  • 250g diced tomatoes 
  • 200ml water 
  • 2.5 tsp minced garlic 
  • 250g grated carrot 
  • 250g grated zuchinni  
  • 400g red lentils 
  • 1 tsp taco seasoning 
  • 150g shredded cheese 
  • ½ head shredded lettuce 
  • 10 wholegrain wraps or taco shells 

Method:  

  1. Heat tomatoes in a pot, add the water and garlic.  
  2. Bring to the boil and add grated carrot and zucchini. When boiling, add the lentils and seasoning. 
  3. Turn to low, stirring frequently until the mixture thickens, add more water if needed 
  4. Keep on a low simmer until mixture thickens and lentils are no longer visible.  
  5. Serve with salad, cheese and tacos for children to build!