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.

Bread Banana Bites ( Step by Step)

By looking at the name if you expect the usual Banana Bread then sorry to disappoint you. But the good news is this is yet another good recipe with the same taste and nice presentation and ready in minutes, which makes your kiddo wonder what are these cute little bites that are so yummy.

I have used MultiGrain Bread in this recipe. As I have ditched White bread long time ago, always get 15 Grain Bread or MultiGrain. But Today My hubby got this from Costco ( Kirklands) and every slice has 6 g protein and 23 g fiber in it. Love this dark colored bread packed with nutrients.

Okay Okay!!I don't want you to wait any more and Here is the recipe for you Enjoy!

Ingredients:

MultiGrain Bread Slice - 1

Honey - 1 Tbsp

Banana - 1/2 ( medium riped)

Chocolate Syrup ( a Dash)

Preparation:

1. Toast the MultiGrain Bread in toaster ( i have used Bread toaster and set at 2 ) to medium toast.

2. Spread the Honey evenly on the slice

3. Cut the banana into slices and arrange them on the bread slice.

4.Transfer this to a plate and then squueze the Chocolate Syrup on it. ( make the letter Z or S shape to get the great effect)

5. Carefuly Cut the bread arrangement into slices ( vertical cut and then horizontal cut, like lattice). That's it ! Yummy kids plate is ready in 5 minutes.

Aha! Look at them how beautiful they are!!!

I have made my son particiapte in making this. He loved it and ate all of it with that excitement as he made this. Don't you call this win-win situation, a breakfast full of nutrients and topped with fruit and a squeeze of chocolate syrup is enough for my son to show his happy (empty) plate. Eating Healthy is not difficult, look around you for those limit less possibilities.

I am sending this to Pari's 'Only Bread Event'

Happy Cooking!!! Take Care until next time.

-Mythreyi