Saturday, May 28, 2011

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

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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.



Tuesday, April 19, 2011

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

Thursday, April 14, 2011

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


Saturday, April 2, 2011

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!!


DayBreakfastPicture
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

Sunday, March 27, 2011

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
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


Friday, March 18, 2011

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