Potato, Beans and Baby Corn Stir Fry

I think Potato is the favorite vegetable for all the kids (and when we were the kids also). My son Abhi is fond of potato and baby corn. But he is little reluctant with the greens like, peas and green beans. So usually when ever i cook his favorite vegetable, I add very little of his not so favorite vegetable, so that he can not even notice. so today, I did the same magic to make him eat all those green beans which he is not fond of.

Potato, Green Beans, Baby Corn Stir Fry

If you want to give it a try, Here is recipe for very simple, but healthy stiry fry with the combination of Potato, Green Beans and Baby Corn. Enjoy!!!!

Ingredients:
Potato - 2 medium
Beans - 8 to 10
Baby Corn - 4 to 5 kernel
Garlic Cloves - 2
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Salt - 1 tsp
Black Pepper - 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder - 1/4 tsp
Oil - 1 Tbsp
Cilantro - for garnish

Preparation:

• Peal and chop the potatoes into small pieces
• Take out the edges of the beans and cut them into very small pieces horizontally
• Cut the Baby Corn Kernels also into very small pieces
• Mince the Garlic Cloves

How to Make it:

1. Heat the Oil in the non stick pan, and add Cumin Seeds and Mustard Seeds.
2. Once they start spluttering, add the garlic and turmeric powder. 
3. Add the potato and saute them on low for 5 min.
4. Add the Beans and cook on low for 10 min.
5. Veggies are moderately cooked, add the salt and black pepper. 
6. Add the baby corn and stir fry on high for 5 min.
7. Now add the Red chili Powder and Cilantro (Coriander) leaves. Cook until all the falvors sink into veggies.
8. Turn off the Heat, Take into a serving bowl and Garnish with some more cilantro.

Now our Yummy Stiry Fry is ready!!!! Time to fill your little one's tummies with full of veggies. 

Hmmm, Yum!!! Soft Potato, crisp green beans and sweet baby corn crunch will sure win your little one's heart. Give it a try and let me know about experience.

Take Care until we meet here next time
-Mythreyi

Corn Cheese Toast

As Sweet Corn or Baby corn is Abhi's favorite vegetable, I try to include corn in as many dishes as possible and he enjoys too. Today I am featuring a recipe with corn which he enjoys as a morning breakfast or evening snack item. Here is the recipe for you...

Corn Cheese Toast

Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Bread Slices - 2
Butter - 1 tbsp
Sweet Corn - 1/2 cup ( frozen)
Shredded Cheese - 1/4 cup
black pepper - 1 tsp

Method:

1. Heat the Non stick pan.
2. Apply the butter on one side of the bread on two slices. Toast it lightly in the pan ( on the butter side down)
3. Thaw the corn in microwave or thaw them by placing in the water for 5 min.
4. Add 1 tsp crushed black pepper and shredded cheese to the corn and mix it well.
5. Place this corn mixture in the bread slice and top with another slice. 
6. Press gently and toast it on two sides on the pan.
7. Take it out from the pan and cut diagonally and serve it after 5 min ( allow it to cool inside).

Sit back and enjoy while your kiddos snack on this item....Oh Yeah! That is what I did today... :-)


Snack On until we meet here again
-Mythreyi

Belgian Hazelnut Spread and Weekly Breakfast Menu

I am one of those people who will be stand in the lines to try all the samples at the grocery stores looking for something new. Wait,wait, don't get me wrong. These 'sampler stalls' are very nice to get an idea of the product  with out buying and not to get disappoint after buying it when you don't end up liking it. As we are big fans of Costco, some times their samplers are huge enough to skip the breakfast. ;-) While I miss those days, here Hypercity comes to my rescue, when i saw 'sampler stalls' at this place. So One morning this Hazelnut spread got my eye, as I am not a huge fan of chocolate or sweets, reluctantly I have tried this sample hoping this chocolate spread does not taste like 'Chocolaty'. and No I did not, it is so Natural ( no artificial flavors) and it tasted so delicious. With out any thought it has been added to my grocery cart, and VJ gave me that looks which conveys, 'For People like me only the sampler stalls meant for. They make you try and make you buy' :-)

So Next day I want to see my buy in action, I spread this on the milk bread and served the kiddos, they simply loved it. That evening I heard Abhi talking to his friend saying ' My mom, got this spread you know, it is so yummy.. you should try this too... ' ( his exact words with his big eyes that expresses all his liking about this spread). Couldn't ask more when my kiddos love the new things that I always try and buy. :-)

With that Let me share my Weekly Breakfast Menu planner here... ( As I am in India now, I am including all the tropical fruits in their breakfast and kids are enjoying new kind of fruits).

Day	Carbs and Protein	Fruit Based
Monday	Milk Bread with Hazel Nut Spread	Pomegranate
Tuesday	Boiled Egg	Apple
Wednesday	Oatmeal with Milk and Honey	Banana
Thursday	Bell Pepper Omelet	Watermelon or MuskMelon
Friday	Milk with Chocos	Papayya or Guava
Saturday	Semya Upma with Vegetables	Mango Juice
Sunday	Idli/Dosa	Strawberry Yogurt

I made sure I have included Carbs and Protein and Nutrients  to well balance the kiddo's diet. Hope this makes it your busy morning easier. :-) Please share your breakfast planners and new breakfast ideas for little ones. Would love to try them all.

Have a Happy Morning Everyday 

- Mythreyi

Chobani Champions Greek Yogurt

When I was pregnant and in search of vegetable protein, Yogurt is one option which i can munch on with out complaining. One of my colleague suggested that this Chobani Grrek Yogurt has more proteins than the regular ones. I was able to find it in our Target store, i was surprised by looking at the nutrient info, it has fewer calories and double the protein (13g) than the regular ones. It tastes little bit like our Indian Yogurt (Curd) thick and sour. Then I hooked on to it.

Chobani Greek Yogurt

But Recently when i was buying yogurts for kids, this Chobani Champions (their new line for kids) caught my eye. This is smaller than the adult size, but it has more proteins than the regular kids yogurt. They got two flavors so far, HoneyNana ( Honey and Banana) Flavor and Very Berry ( mixed triple berry) flavor. I have tried both the flavors for my kids, and now they are in love with. It's a yummy treat for their tummy and some peace and rest for their mommy! ;-)

Give it a try and let me know your opinion.

Take care until then
-Mythreyi

Onion Olive Omelet (Ooo)

After our Veggie Lovers Pizza night, there are some olives left from that big can I have used. My son is big favorite of Olives. So the next day morning I have converted those Olives into powerful Breakfast in the form Onion Olive Omelet (Ooo Laa Laa!).

Funny Spider with Black Olives

And for my little one (Anvi) I taught the sound of letter 'O' and all the veggies that starts with 'O'. She said, "'O' for Onion, 'O' for Olive, 'O' for Omelet and Breakfast is Yummmmm!".  And she continued 'The Cow Says moooo, Anvi says Ooooo', I was LOL that morning. Want to listen what your kiddo says, Check this recipe and try it out!

Ingredients:
Egg - 1
Chopped Olives - 2 Tbsp
Chopped Onions - 2 Tbsp
salt - 1/2 tsp
black pepper - 1/4 tsp
Olive Oil - 1 Tsp

Instructions:

Beat the Egg and salt and Black pepper, then add the chopped onions and olives to the egg mixture. Heat the Omelet pan and olive oil, once the oil is hot pour the egg mixture, once it is firm turn it until it gets cooked on both sides, and serve into plate.

Pink Pancakes

Yeah, you heard it right, it is not 'Pink Panther',  they are Pink Pancakes. :-) Today I am portraying this recipe idea by my good friend and cousin Geethika Akka. A while ago she sent me a suggestion to make pancakes with vegetables than fruit, and she picked Carrot and Beetroot to make the pancakes sweet naturally. You can skip the Sugar and Syrup (as I have replaced the syrup with Honey)  in your routine pancakes with this recipe and these vegetables add good fiber and color in your kiddo's breakfast.

Pink Pancakes

My naughty and girly little one finished all of her breakfast saying 'Pinky Pinky Pinky Pancakes' and my son helped me in mixing the batter.

Here is the recipe for you, Enjoy!

Ingredients:
10 Grain Pancake Mix - 1 Cup
Milk - 1 cup
Butter - 1 tbsp
Egg - 1 medium
Grated Carrot  - 1/2 cup
Grated Beetroot - 1/3 cup
Honey - 1/4 cup

How to Make It:
1. Beat the Butter, Egg and Milk, then add the Pancake mix to it.

2. Stir in the Grated Carrots and Beets into this mixture and make it like batter
3. Heat the Griddle and Spray some oil on it, and pour 1/4 cup of pancake mixture on to griddle
4. Once the bubbles are formed turn them and wait until the pancakes cooked on both sides.
5. Repeat these steps with the remaining batter and make batch of pancakes.
6. Layer 2 or 3 pancakes on the serving plate and drizzle with Honey.
7. Beets give  nice pink color and carrots give very yummy taste to these pancakes.

Now Enjoy this Yummy Yummy breakfast with your little one.!!!!


I am sending this to
Breakfast - Pancakes event hosted by Kritis's Kitchen initiated by Helen from Fuss Free Flavors
Food Pallet Series - Pink at torviewtoranto
Breakfast Mela at Cooking 4 All Seasons

Take care until next time
-Mythreyi

Corn Cheese Chicken (CCC) Quesadillas

My son Abhi used to have a 'Magic Can' concept, in his day care, (when he was a pre-schooler and 2 years ago), where every kid will be given a Can and One Alphabet Letter for one week. So the kid has to think of anything that starts with that Letter, and need to drop a picture or toy or photo or words that starts with that letter. My son used to love that game, when ever his turn comes, he will get into my kitchen and starts exploring for those words, and surprisingly he used to get most of the items from my kitchen  and pantry (fruits, vegetables, staples) etc. As we are in India now, recollecting these memories and trying to play such games with my little one (Anvi, who is a preschooler now).

Corn Cheese Chicken Quessedillas

Today I picked a letter 'C' for her, started exploring in my kitchen, and ended up with this recipe. After I explained the ingredients and the dish name, my little naughty started saying like these....

'C' for Corn
'C' for Cheese
'C' for Chicken
and
'C' for  Cassedilla also 'Mommy!!!'.

I couldn't laugh better and felt happy, as she is trying to use that basic 'C says Ca' technique for the words. Of course, then my Son, keeps correcting her... (My son always come to rescue !!). That's why It is always fun for me to cook with my kids in the kitchen at least once a week (or only once a week, Beyond that it would be impossible to manage them. :-)) ).

Note: If you are a mom for pre-schoolers, Leap Frog's Letter Factory helped both of my kids a lot to learn their Alphabets, Phonic Sounds, and pronunciation.  Of course, I have learned the correct phonic sounds too while teaching to my kids. 
if you don't want your Tot to leave at the Tube while you are busy in the kitchen, these Fridge Phonics comes to rescue. If you are thinking about the Christmas Gifts, Hint, Hint!!! :-)

Here is the recipe for you and Enjoy!

Ingredients:
Multi Grain Tortilla - 2
Corn - 1/2 cup ( have used frozen and thawed)
Chicken - 1/2 cup ( cooked)
Taco Cheese - 1/2 cup ( or four cheese Mexican style)
salt - 1 tsp
black pepper - 1 tsp
cilantro - 2 tbsp


Method:

1. Heat one Tortilla on non stick pan on low heat.
2. Layer with half of the cheese. and then Layer the Corn on the tortilla. 
3. Mince the cooked chicken and layer on top of corn on the tortilla.
4. Sprinkle Salt, Black Pepper and Cilantro. 
5. Layer the remaining cheese on top.
6. Top with another tortilla, and press hard and evenly on all sides with spatula. 
7. After 2 min, turn it to other side and cook for 1 min. 

Now remove from the heat, cut into triangles and serve the protein packed Corn Cheese Chicken Quesedillas to your kids while they learn the letter 'C'.

 Oh! look at that melted cheese, Yummm! 

Tips:

• I have used chicken breast to cook the chicken, marinate the chicken with salt and pepper for 5 to 10 mins. and saute it on the non stick pan with 1 tsp oil, until it gets cooked on all sides. usually it takes 5 to 10 mins.
• I cook this chicken will store in the fridge for 2 days. And this will be handy, for chicken noodles and chicken fried rice items for kids.

Happy Cooking with Kiddos
-Mythreyi

Weekly Breakfast Menu ~ April 2011

Lot of my friends and relatives are asking me to post the breakfast ideas for kids from long time. After I posted some lunch box ideas (for Adults), then the demand was more for kiddo's  breakfast and lunch box ideas too.

There is a saying  "You Should Eat Breakfast like a King, eat Lunch like a Prince and eat Dinner like a Beggar". As I don't truly follow that completely, I follow that at least for Breakfast. :-)

As my kids are not going to school yet, I haven't started packing lunch yet, But I give lot of stress on breakfast. Breakfast is the important meal in the whole day, which starts your day with great energy. I don't want to compromise on break fast and do the same for kids. I always try to balance the breakfast diet by including Whole Grains, Protein, Fiber. (and do eat the same breakfast to be the role model for them, OfCourse along with my morning coffee, can't skip that ;-) )

Usually I put together a Breakfast Menu for a Month and will change it by updating the choices every month so that it makes interesting for the kids too. This saves me tons of time in the morning and with out a thought  I know what should I make for kids breakfast and helps me to shop precisely :-). Hope this come handy for you too!! Enjoy!!

Day	Breakfast	Picture
Monday	Boiled Egg and Fresh Orange Juice
Tuesday	Oatmeal with Milk, Honey, and Pecans and Apple Slices
Wednesday	Multi Grain Waffles with Honey and Berries
Thursday	Multi Grain Cheerios with Milk and Banana
Friday	Omelet with Cheese and Vegetables
Saturday / Sunday	Milk & Cookies

Note: On Weekends I will go little easy, to give break for myself. :-)

Take Care

-Mythreyi

Instant (Soft) Tomato Rava Dosa

By looking at the title you must be thinking what in the opposite World am I in? Cause, usually Rava Dosa is made Crispy and with Onions. There is a story behind this innovation. One day, when my son woke up, I have asked him, what he would like to eat?, as if I am prepared with every possible breakfast. Instantly he said, he wants Dosa, with excitement. But I am not ready with Dosa Batter. Then this Instant Rava Dosa was rescue recipe to me, to make it kid friendly (I made it soft) and to sneak in some vegetables, I have altered the basic Rava Dosa recipe. That's how this Soft Tomato Rava Dosa was created.

Soft Tomato Rava Dosa

Unlike the basic Rava Dosa this is not crispy, so it will be soft for your little ones taste buds. Here is the recipe for you and  it will be handy when your kid instantly wants Dosa. :-)

Ingredients:
Suji Rava - 1 cup
Rice Flour - 1/2 cup
All Purpose Flour / Maida - 1/2 cup
salt - 1 tsp
Tomato - 1 medium
Yogurt/Curd - 1/2 cup ( adjust accordingly)



How to make it:
1. Grind the Tomato in mixie or magic bullet and set aside
2. Mix the Suji Rava, with Rice Flour and Miada Flour along with Yogurt or Curd.
3. Add salt and mix the tomato juice into mixture.
4. Add water accordingly to make it like very thin batter. Leave it for 30 minutes for more fermentation.
5.  Heat the Griddle and pour some batter on and let it spread quickly.
6. Once it is cooked well roll it and serve with ketchup or some ghee and sugar or some veg curry.

Dosa Served with Green Bean Curry

Tips:
1. To make it less spicy, I have not used green chilies or cumin seeds, if your little one can handle spice, then you can add these to the batter.
2. This mixture is little thick than normal dosa, so you have pour and let it spread quickly and cook slowly.
3. It takes little longer time to get cook compare to normal dosa.
4. The tangy tomato and Yogurt are the secret ingredients and aids in quick fermentation.


Take care until next time
-Mythreyi

Mini Waffles

I love Earth's Best Foods, I have used their jar foods for my kids when they are babies, and snacks when they are toddlers, and now Love their Organic Oatmeal Singles and their mini waffles. EB always focuses on quality of food and their presentation is always appealing for kids. My kids never said no to their products, they are so yummy and tasty also, sometimes I do sneak into my kid's plate. ;-)

Look at these wonderful mini waffles.

This plates is full of EB's multi grain mini waffles with Honey and Black Berries.

I will be posting healthy breakfast menus for kids soon. Keep watching...

Take care until next time
-Mythreyi

Banana Berry Boats

When I was eating my strawberries in ABS Toast in today's breakfast, I already had plan to make a nice presentation for the little ones by using multi fruits. I have used Banana, Strawberries, Blue Berries and served in this cute little boat like containers. My little one (Anvi, she loves fruits) she ate all of it with no effort for me. But for my son ( Abhi) when I explained everything in this breakfast starts with a letter B,  I had to answer all his inquisitive questions about Boats ( he paid attention to later part, than the former part in this name ;-), these Boysss...), but glad he finished all his fruits. I think caramelized banana did the trick, for his sweet tooth.

Here is the recipe, try it for your little ones!

Ingredients:

Banana - 1

Strawberries - 5

Blue Berries - 1/3 cup

Raw Sugar - 1 tsp

Grated Coconut - 1 tsp

Honey - 1 tbsp

Preparation:

1.Cut the Banana into small rounds (or 1 in thick slices horizontally)

2. Heat the Nonstick pan, and place these on the pan

3. Turn them over to other side after 1 min and let them brown on both sides.

4. You can start seeing the juices come out ( caramelizing) and then sprinkle the sugar on top.

5. Switch off the stove, and let it cool.

6. Place one spoon of Bananas in the container

7. Layer it with Strawberry ( cut them into thin slices)

8. Top it one more spoon of bananas and blue berries on top.

9. Pour 1 tbsp of Honey on top of the fruit and sprinkle some grated coconut.

10. Yum! for Little One! Banana Berry Boats are ready.

Note:
Though I hear so many recipes with  Banana, Banana Bread, Banana Muffin etc, some how I preferred banana eating raw as it is. This is the first time I have ever cooked banana and it tasted good. If You don't like cooked banana (like me) , then simply add the fresh banana slices in this recipe.

Take care until next time
-Mythreyi

Asparagus Stuffed Omlete

At our house Asparagus is a all time winner, as Abhi loves this veggie I will try to sneak in every possible way. Usually Asparagus is very expensive, but some times when this is abundant in season it will be on sale. Now is the time for that, as I have seen this on sale in Sprouts, I have been buying this every week. Or Some times I get this big bunch from Costco in bulk.

Today I have stuffed this veggie in omelet and served with apple slices.

Ingredients:
Asparagus Strings- 3
Egg - 1
Onion - 1 Tbsp
Bell Pepper -1 Tbsp
Black Pepper - 1/4 tsp
Oil - 1tsp

Preparation:
1. Microwave the Asparagus strings for 30 sec to 1 min. It should be soft and crunchy.
2. Whisk the egg in a small bowl and by adding onion, bell pepper and black pepper.
3. Heat the Nonstick omelet pan and add oil to it
4. Once the oil is hot, pour the egg mixture and let it set for a min.
5. Once you start seeing the mixture is getting set on upside also, then add the asparagus strings on top and fold the omelet.
6. Turn the omelet on other side and cook for 30 sec.
7. Take if off from the heat and cut in half and serve with apple slices.

Now tell your kids that this is the letter A Veggie and Fruit plate. Just tell that and see next time when you serve something your kiddo will tell you what plate it is. :-)


Note:
Don't think I have forgotten salt in the ingredients. Purposefully I haven't added any. The crunchy vegetables won't let you miss the salt in this dish. Don't believe me, give it a try.

This post is linked up to Super Healthy Kids:  The Alphabet Food Academy .  See what others are cooking up for healthy kids too!

Take care until next time
-Mythreyi

Asparagus Rafts (Step By Step)

Usually I bake the Asparagus with little olive oil, salt and pepper for 10 min. My son loves these 'Green Strings'. And some times I make a Asparagus Fry (Indian Style), it's combination with white rice is very yummy for sure.

But I wanted to go little creative with Asparagus today and when I was browsing for some ideas I have come across this on Disney Family Site, I have jumped up and started making these immediately.

Serving Tip:

This will be an interesting snack for kiddo's lunch box Or a Crunchy Side Dish with your main course Or let them float in yummy Avocado Soup. However you serve, it sure looks fun for the kids. Give it a Try, Here is the recipe for you, Enjoy!


Ingredients:
All Purpose Flour - 2 Tbsp
Egg - 1
Bread Crumbs - 1/3 cup
Asparagus - 1 bunch ( 10 to 15 in count)
Parmesan Cheese - 2 Tbsp
Tooth Picks - 5 to 10


Preparation:
1. Take the Flour, Whisked Egg, Bread Crumbs in 3 different shallow plates

2. Trim the Asparagus Bottoms and Wash and Pat Dry them.
3. Take a tooth pick and insert into 4 Asparagus by  setting them side by side. One at the top and one at the bottom (as show in the picture)

4. Now roll this in the flour and dip in egg wash and dust with bread crumbs
5. Follow the same procedure until for all the asparagus strings.

6. Place them on the baking sheet.
7. Bake at 350 F for 10 min. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese and bake for 5 more minutes.
8. Take them out and cut into middle, take out the tooth picks and serve them.

That's It Yum! Yum! Asparagus Rafts are ready in minutes. Sit back and Enjoy when your little one is munching on all these veggies.

Do you think my Son finished all of these? You Bet! :-)

Take care until next time
-Mythreyi

Blue Berry Stuck Belgian Waffles

To make little creations you don't have to always cook every thing from scratch. When I am in a hurry, these waffles are saviors. As I told you before how much sweet tooth my kids got, they really relish this breakfast, with out me after them with Finish up mantra (I am always after them saying Finish It! Finish up!....).

So today I have got these Belgian style waffles (not the round one) toast them in the toaster for 1 min on medium setting and filled the grid with some honey and stuck the blue berries on the grid.

Today we even invited Mickey and Minnie to have breakfast with them. My Little ones ate the waffles and fruits while pretending that Mickey and Minnie are here. All the souls are happy now after the breakfast. They did n't even notice how happy I was for finishing up their berries. Well Played.... Mommy! :-)

Note:
Ofcourse today is Sunday and I am busy with making super bowl snacks. That's why they get to play while eating.;-)

Chicken Rockets

These are very easy to bake chicken tenders named as 'Chicken Rockets' to add some fun and protein for your kiddo.

When we went to one of our friends son's first birthday party they have ordered Thai food. The first appetizer that attracted kiddos is Chicken Saute (which looked similar to what I made here). I have seen every little one enjoyed this and since then I wanted to try this at home. As I have skewers from our last summer trip, there is no reason for me not to experiment this one.

As these shapes resembled like Rockets to my son, he started calling them 'Chicken Rockets', give it a try and let your kiddo invent the name for it. :-)


Ingredients:
Chicken Tenders - 3
Olive Oil - 1 Tbsp
Lemon Juice - 1 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
Black Pepper -  1/2 tsp
curry powder - 1/2 tsp
Honey - 1 tbsp
Dry Parsley Flakes - 1 Tsp
Skewers - 6


Preparation:

1. Mix all the ingredients expect chicken in a small bowl and set aside
2. Let sit the skewers sit in the warm water for 5 min (so that they get insert into chicken easily)
3. Wash the chicken tenders and pat them dry ( to let all the water drain)
4. Cut the chicken tender or breast into middle ( vertically) so that it becomes thin.
5. Dip every chicken tender piece in the bowl  until the chicken is coated evenly.
6. Insert the skewer into chicken breast until the end.

7. Bake these on baking sheet in the oven at 350F for 30 minutes

Yum! Yum! Chicken Rockets are ready for your Little Ones!

Serving Tip:
To add more color I have added some color vadiyams (fried rings) here.

Avocado Soup

I always want my little ones to try every possible variety in food esp vegetables and fruits. So today I made them try this Avocado Soup. Frankly the first bite was not exciting for them, but they finished all with no complaints. Hope they will like it by next serving. Gosh, I am quite an optimistic  Mom Right! :-)

Hint:
 I have skipped the curry powder and black pepper from my original recipe. If your kiddo is a spice lover, don't hesitate to add them accordingly.

Idli Bites

Idli is one of the south indian breakfast delicacy. There are some creative ideas what you can make with Idli at Yum! Yum! Yum!. But for my little ones  I always server them plain. You can serve these with a side of sugar or top with ketchup along with Ghee (clarified butter).

Nutritional Info:
This item serves Protien, Carbs and Dairy.

Q for Readers:
Please share your ideas how you transform Idli to your little ones.

Broccoli, Squash, Carrot Cheese Rice

As I have bought lots of broccoli from Sprouts last week, and now I am trying to use all of it before it gets bad. Mostly I use Broccoli in Omelets and love that combination. As my kiddos have eaten lot egg things in their breakfast this week, I want to put my broccoli to a different use. Then i remembered reading lot of recipes about Broccoli Rice casserole. As I have some left over rice also, that sounded perfect. But I wanted to make it more colorful by adding some more vegetables. so here comes my twist for to the routine casserole recipe, Broccoli, Squash, Carrot Cheese Rice. I have cooked this on the stove (didn't use oven for this, usually casseroles are cooked in oven) and hence this is not a casserole.

Ingredients:
Cooked White Rice - 1 Cup
Broccoli - 1/2 cup
Yellow Squash  - 1 medium
Carrot - 1 medium
Garlic - 2 cloves
Oil - 1tsp
salt - 1/2 tsp
Pepper - 1/2 tsp
Cheese - 1/3 cup ( Taco Blend or American or Cheddar)
Cilantro or Chives - ( for Garnish or Optional)

Hmmm! Look at the blend of these beautiful colors

Preparation:

1. Take a nonstick pan on the stove and add oil to it.
2. Once the Oil is hot add the minced garlic.
3. Then add the finely chopped broccoli. (Based on your kiddos age chop into right size, if they are too small mince them, or leave them small pieces, so that they will know the texture of vegetables)
4. Chop the Yellow Squash into small pieces
5. Peel the carrot and cut into small pieces
6. Add the vegetables to the pan and cook for 2 min on low.
7. Then add the salt and pepper and close the lid and cook for 2 min
8. Add the Rice to the pan and mix everything well.
9. Top with the cheese and once the cheese starts melting ( after 1 min), turn off the heat and mix everything well.
10. Transfer them to serving bowl or plate, let your little one say Yum! Yum!

My son said, 'Amma! it looks like a Cake' :-)

It never goes waste the little effort we put into nice presentations. The little ones always want some thing new, so try your same old dishes with nice presentations. You will see the change, how fast they will eat. :-)

Another presentation represents a Chinese Hut

and Here is my little ones Happy Plate. (when they finish all, it's called Happy Plate ;-) )

Nutritional Info:
You are serving 1 serving of vegetables, carbohydrates and dairy with this recipe.

Hint:

• Garlic gives a very nice aroma to this rice
• If your kiddos don't mind the spiciness then you can add 1/4 tsp of curry powder also for more flavor.
• I always use Taco Blend Cheese or Four Cheese Mix which has orange, yellow and golden colors and also little spicy. You can use American Yellow Cheese or Cheddar Cheese.