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healthy vegetable sandwich recipes for kids image
Rob
I'm curious to try making some tofu dinner dishes, but I'd like this to go over well with the kids. Any suggestions or ideas of tofu dishes that the kids won't shun? (or is this an impossible task?)
Thanks.
Answer
When I wrote an article on tofu recipes for kids for a national magazine some years ago, I used my friends' children (as well as my children's friends) as guinea pigs. My own children, after all, had cut their teeth, so to speak, on tofu dishes and so the "T" word didn't faze them. I was surprised at how open most kids were to trying these new tofu dishes. They didn't have as many preconceived notions about the white stuff as many adults do. The result was a plethora of kid-pleasing recipes that my own sons and their friends still ask for. The real trick here was not in getting them to eat these dishes, but in getting them to share them with their parents!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tofu Basics Parents always welcome new options for healthy eating, and tofu is a superb food to add to the repertoire of growing children. Itâs high in easily digestible protein, low in fat, and is a good source of calcium, iron, and B vitamins. To increase your chances of kid-pleasing results, prepare tofu simply, combining it with other mild or familiar flavors. Hereâs a brief lexicon of the most common tofu varieties:
Silken tofu: Available in 16-ounce tubs or 12.3 ounce aseptic packages, this type of tofu is very soft and smooth. Itâs great pureed and used as a base for soups (âCreamyâ Corn Chowder), dressings and dips, and sauces (Macaroni and Cheese With Secret Silken Tofu Sauce). It also makes an ideal dessert puddings or pie filling (Miniature Chocolate Pudding Pies). This may be the best type of tofu to use when you need to âsneakâ it into your childâs meal!
Soft tofu: This comes in 16-ounce tubs and is good for using crumbled, as in faux scrambled egg recipes or imitation âegg saladâ or patties (Tofu Patties). Finely crumbled, this is also a good substitute for ricotta cheese (Vegetable Lasagna). Like silken tofu, soft tofu can also be pureed and used as a soup or sauce base, with a somewhat heftier consistency.
Firm or extra firm tofu: Again, available in 16-ounce tubs, and also fresh in chunks or cakes, use this when you want the tofu to hold its shape. Firm tofu is ideal for use in stir fries, stews, and as cutlets or nuggets (Baked Tofu Nuggets).
Baked marinated tofu: Of the tofu varieties listed here, this one is the most difficult, alas, to get in supermarkets. Look for this chewy, dense, and flavorful form of tofu in natural foods stores. Sliced, diced, or (with effort) crumbled, it can be used as a chicken or tuna substitute in stir fries, sandwiches, casseroles, and tortilla dishes (âChickenâ-Style Tofu Fajitas).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Chicken"-Style Tofu Fajitas
Makes: 8 fajitas (2 fajitas per serving)
In this super-easy, nearly-instant tortilla recipe, chewy baked tofu stands in for chicken. Letting the kids make their own fajitas becomes part of the fun!
8 fajita-size (6- to 7-inch) flour tortillas
10- to 12-ounce package baked tofu, cut into strips
Prepared salsa, your favorite brand
1 cup plain low-fat organic yogurt or soy yogurt
2 cups finely shredded lettuce
1 cup grated cheddar cheese or cheddar-style nondairy cheese, optional
Wrap the entire batch of tortillas in foil and warm in a preheated 400-degree oven or toaster oven.
Place the tofu strips on a plate and microwave briefly until well warmed, about 3 minutes.
Spread a little salsa and yogurt down the center of each tortilla, then arrange a few tofu strips over them. Sprinkle with some lettuce, and if desired, a little cheese. Roll up snugly and eat out of hand.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baked Tofu Nuggets
Makes: 4 to 6 kid-sized servings
These breaded nuggets become firm and chewy as they bake. Kids enjoy dipping them into their favorite sauce.
16-ounce tub firm or extra firm tofu
3 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons cornmeal
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Marinara or barbecue sauce (warmed), or ketchup
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cut the tofu into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Blot well between clean tea-towels or several layers of paper towel, then cut into 3/4-inch dice. Combine the wheat germ, cornmeal, and seasoned salt in a mixing bowl. Add the tofu chunks and stir gently until evenly coated.
Arrange the tofu on a lightly oiled non-stick baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice during this time, or until golden and firm. Serve at once with sauce of your choice for dipping or topping.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Macaroni and Cheese with a Secret Silken Tofu Sauce
6 to 8 kid-sized servings
The same children I tested this on 5 years ago still request this each and every time they come to my house for dinner. This basic macaroni and cheese is rich and comforting. Using pureed silken tofu as a base for the sauce gives the kids a good dose of soy goodness.
10 to 12 ounces elbow macaroni (or other short pasta shape such as cavatappi)
12.3-ounce package silken tofu
2 tablespoons nonhydrogenated margarine
1 1/2 cups firmly packed organic grated cheddar cheese or cheddar-style nondairy cheese
Salt to taste
Cook the macaroni in plenty of rapidly simmering water until al dente, then drain.
Meanwhile, puree the tofu until perfectly smooth in a food processor or blender. Transfer to a medium sauce pan and add the margarine and cheese. Slowly bring to a gentle simmer, stirring often, then cook over low heat until the cheese is thoroughly melted.
Combine the cooked macaroni and sauce in a serving container and stir together. Season with salt to taste and serve at once.
VARIATION: Bake in a casserole dish at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and crusty.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creamy Corn Chowder
Makes: 8 kid-sized servings, or about 6 average servings
Pureed silken tofu is a superb base for creamy soups, such as chowders. It provides substance without the need for thickening. The mild, familiar flavors will entice kids of all ages to enjoy a soothing bowl of soup.
1 1/2 tablespoons light olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 large celery stalk, diced
2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
2 medium-large potatoes, peeled and finely diced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 vegetable bouillon cubes
3 cups cooked fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
12.3-ounce package silken tofu, well pureed in a food processor or blender
Low-fat milk, rice milk, or soy milk, as needed
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion and celery and sauté over medium heat until golden. Add the carrots, potatoes, bouillon cube, and cumin, plus just enough water to cover. Bring to a simmer, then cover and simmer gently until the vegetables are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
Stir in the corn kernels and pureed tofu. Add just enough milk to give the soup a medium-thick consistency. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for another 10 minutes over very low heat.
If time allows, let the soup stand off the heat for an hour or so before serving, then heat through as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miniature Tofu Chocolate Pudding
Serves: 4
Silken tofu is a great base for puddingâit has just the right consistency, and it spares you from bothering with a flour-thickened milk sauce, which tends to scorch and lump.
16-ounce tub silken tofu
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 to 4tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, optional
Puree the tofu in a food processor or blender until completely smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan and add the chocolate chips. Cook over medium low heat, stirring often, until the chocolate chips have melted. Stir in the maple syrup and optional vanilla.
Allow to cool completely, then serve at room temperature.
for more ideas go to
http://vegkitchen.com/index.htm
When I wrote an article on tofu recipes for kids for a national magazine some years ago, I used my friends' children (as well as my children's friends) as guinea pigs. My own children, after all, had cut their teeth, so to speak, on tofu dishes and so the "T" word didn't faze them. I was surprised at how open most kids were to trying these new tofu dishes. They didn't have as many preconceived notions about the white stuff as many adults do. The result was a plethora of kid-pleasing recipes that my own sons and their friends still ask for. The real trick here was not in getting them to eat these dishes, but in getting them to share them with their parents!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tofu Basics Parents always welcome new options for healthy eating, and tofu is a superb food to add to the repertoire of growing children. Itâs high in easily digestible protein, low in fat, and is a good source of calcium, iron, and B vitamins. To increase your chances of kid-pleasing results, prepare tofu simply, combining it with other mild or familiar flavors. Hereâs a brief lexicon of the most common tofu varieties:
Silken tofu: Available in 16-ounce tubs or 12.3 ounce aseptic packages, this type of tofu is very soft and smooth. Itâs great pureed and used as a base for soups (âCreamyâ Corn Chowder), dressings and dips, and sauces (Macaroni and Cheese With Secret Silken Tofu Sauce). It also makes an ideal dessert puddings or pie filling (Miniature Chocolate Pudding Pies). This may be the best type of tofu to use when you need to âsneakâ it into your childâs meal!
Soft tofu: This comes in 16-ounce tubs and is good for using crumbled, as in faux scrambled egg recipes or imitation âegg saladâ or patties (Tofu Patties). Finely crumbled, this is also a good substitute for ricotta cheese (Vegetable Lasagna). Like silken tofu, soft tofu can also be pureed and used as a soup or sauce base, with a somewhat heftier consistency.
Firm or extra firm tofu: Again, available in 16-ounce tubs, and also fresh in chunks or cakes, use this when you want the tofu to hold its shape. Firm tofu is ideal for use in stir fries, stews, and as cutlets or nuggets (Baked Tofu Nuggets).
Baked marinated tofu: Of the tofu varieties listed here, this one is the most difficult, alas, to get in supermarkets. Look for this chewy, dense, and flavorful form of tofu in natural foods stores. Sliced, diced, or (with effort) crumbled, it can be used as a chicken or tuna substitute in stir fries, sandwiches, casseroles, and tortilla dishes (âChickenâ-Style Tofu Fajitas).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Chicken"-Style Tofu Fajitas
Makes: 8 fajitas (2 fajitas per serving)
In this super-easy, nearly-instant tortilla recipe, chewy baked tofu stands in for chicken. Letting the kids make their own fajitas becomes part of the fun!
8 fajita-size (6- to 7-inch) flour tortillas
10- to 12-ounce package baked tofu, cut into strips
Prepared salsa, your favorite brand
1 cup plain low-fat organic yogurt or soy yogurt
2 cups finely shredded lettuce
1 cup grated cheddar cheese or cheddar-style nondairy cheese, optional
Wrap the entire batch of tortillas in foil and warm in a preheated 400-degree oven or toaster oven.
Place the tofu strips on a plate and microwave briefly until well warmed, about 3 minutes.
Spread a little salsa and yogurt down the center of each tortilla, then arrange a few tofu strips over them. Sprinkle with some lettuce, and if desired, a little cheese. Roll up snugly and eat out of hand.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baked Tofu Nuggets
Makes: 4 to 6 kid-sized servings
These breaded nuggets become firm and chewy as they bake. Kids enjoy dipping them into their favorite sauce.
16-ounce tub firm or extra firm tofu
3 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons cornmeal
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Marinara or barbecue sauce (warmed), or ketchup
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cut the tofu into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Blot well between clean tea-towels or several layers of paper towel, then cut into 3/4-inch dice. Combine the wheat germ, cornmeal, and seasoned salt in a mixing bowl. Add the tofu chunks and stir gently until evenly coated.
Arrange the tofu on a lightly oiled non-stick baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice during this time, or until golden and firm. Serve at once with sauce of your choice for dipping or topping.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Macaroni and Cheese with a Secret Silken Tofu Sauce
6 to 8 kid-sized servings
The same children I tested this on 5 years ago still request this each and every time they come to my house for dinner. This basic macaroni and cheese is rich and comforting. Using pureed silken tofu as a base for the sauce gives the kids a good dose of soy goodness.
10 to 12 ounces elbow macaroni (or other short pasta shape such as cavatappi)
12.3-ounce package silken tofu
2 tablespoons nonhydrogenated margarine
1 1/2 cups firmly packed organic grated cheddar cheese or cheddar-style nondairy cheese
Salt to taste
Cook the macaroni in plenty of rapidly simmering water until al dente, then drain.
Meanwhile, puree the tofu until perfectly smooth in a food processor or blender. Transfer to a medium sauce pan and add the margarine and cheese. Slowly bring to a gentle simmer, stirring often, then cook over low heat until the cheese is thoroughly melted.
Combine the cooked macaroni and sauce in a serving container and stir together. Season with salt to taste and serve at once.
VARIATION: Bake in a casserole dish at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and crusty.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creamy Corn Chowder
Makes: 8 kid-sized servings, or about 6 average servings
Pureed silken tofu is a superb base for creamy soups, such as chowders. It provides substance without the need for thickening. The mild, familiar flavors will entice kids of all ages to enjoy a soothing bowl of soup.
1 1/2 tablespoons light olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 large celery stalk, diced
2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
2 medium-large potatoes, peeled and finely diced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 vegetable bouillon cubes
3 cups cooked fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
12.3-ounce package silken tofu, well pureed in a food processor or blender
Low-fat milk, rice milk, or soy milk, as needed
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion and celery and sauté over medium heat until golden. Add the carrots, potatoes, bouillon cube, and cumin, plus just enough water to cover. Bring to a simmer, then cover and simmer gently until the vegetables are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
Stir in the corn kernels and pureed tofu. Add just enough milk to give the soup a medium-thick consistency. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for another 10 minutes over very low heat.
If time allows, let the soup stand off the heat for an hour or so before serving, then heat through as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miniature Tofu Chocolate Pudding
Serves: 4
Silken tofu is a great base for puddingâit has just the right consistency, and it spares you from bothering with a flour-thickened milk sauce, which tends to scorch and lump.
16-ounce tub silken tofu
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 to 4tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, optional
Puree the tofu in a food processor or blender until completely smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan and add the chocolate chips. Cook over medium low heat, stirring often, until the chocolate chips have melted. Stir in the maple syrup and optional vanilla.
Allow to cool completely, then serve at room temperature.
for more ideas go to
http://vegkitchen.com/index.htm
What are some ideas for a healthy school lunch?
wakawakapo
When the school cafeteria isn't serving hamburgers, chicken nuggets, or pizza, I have to bring my own lunch. This usually consists of chips and Dr. Pepper that I buy from the bookstore at school with my own money. I would make a sandwich, but every sandwich I've ever tasted makes me gag. Please help!! I would like to discontinue my unhealthy habits.
Answer
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Lunch Is Served: Healthy School Lunches & Snacks
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Cheap and Healthy Brown-Bag Lunch Ideas (for Grownups)
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30 Ideas for School Lunches Make lunch-planning easy with these 30 easy, healthy ideas for everything from soups and sandwiches to sweets and salads.
www.goodhousekeeping.com/.../ideas-kids-school-lunches - Cached
Lunch Is Served: Healthy School Lunches & Snacks
Keep it simple with these easy ideas to make school lunches healthy and fun. Parents.com. Profile. Log In; Join Us! Browse. ... some fruit, a vegetable, and a small treat ...
www.parents.com/kids/nutrition/lunch/healthy-school... - Cached
Back to School Lunches - Crafts, Recipes, and Activities for ...
Time get chow down on some tasty, fun school lunches from Spoonful.com. Spoonful ... School Lunch Ideas save. Refine by ... Create a healthy snack from nut butter and apple ...
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Healthy School Lunch Ideas for Kids - Healthy Child ...
I had to come up with better ideas for a healthy school lunch that would be ... Healthy School Lunch Information and Ideas. Here are some good articles on healthy ...
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Sack Lunch Ideas for School Lunches | eHow.com
Packing a healthy sack lunch that your child will actually eat and enjoy can be a daunting task. However, with some creative planning and helpful input from your ...
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Menu Ideas For Healthy School Lunches | LIVESTRONG.COM
Menu Ideas For Healthy School Lunches. A healthy lunch is vital to a child at school. This is why many parents choose to skip the lunch provided in the cafeteria and ...
www.livestrong.com/article/382870-menu-ideas-for-healthy... - Cached
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What are some ideas for packing a healthy school lunch for my ...
What are some ideas for packing a healthy school lunch for my child? If your child takes his lunch to school, you want to make sure you pack a healthy one. Learn more ...
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Ideas for School Lunches - eHow | How to Videos, Articles ...
Making healthy school lunches that your child will eat can be a challenge. Some children are choosy about food, and others get bored by the same lunch items day after ...
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Cheap and Healthy Brown-Bag Lunch Ideas (for Grownups)
Healthy School Lunches ; ... So WebMD asked the experts to recommend healthy, creative lunch ideas that are ... Lunches that include some lean or low-fat protein ...
www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/cheap-and-healthy... - Cached
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Lunch Ideas | Healthy Lunch Ideas | Lunch Box Ideas | Bento Ideas
Lunch ideas from Laptop lunches are healthy and great for your bento ... Try some of these great bento lunch ideas! ... School Programs | Affiliate Program ...
www.laptoplunches.com/healthy-lunches-bored.php - Cached
Ads
School Lunch Debate
Find Out What Most Schools Are Serving For Lunch. Do You Approve?
LibertyMutual.com/Responsibility
Lunchables Kids Lunches
Try Delicious Lunchables Made w/ Wholesome Ingredients.
KraftBrands.com/Lunchables
Guilt-Free Delicious Meal
Take the Guesswork Out of Planning. Nutritious, Easy & Delicious Meals!
www.LeanCuisine.com
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