Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist or a dietician, I am doing what is best for my kid to create a balanced lunch.
KIDS LUNCH BOX #26 - Beetroot Rice + Yogurt + Dates and Nut Ladoo + Cherries
Some kids school lunch box ideas to try…
- Spinach Corn Sandwich + Orange + Almonds & Pistachios
- Carrot Rice + Cucumber + Fruittellas
- Palak Chapati + Jeera Aloo + Orange
- Potato Spinach Pancakes + Sprouted Moong & Corn Salad+ Grapes
- Mayonnaise Veggie Pasta + Strawberries + Peanut Chikki
Here is what I packed for school lunch…
LUNCH - Beetroot Rice - Here is the detailed Beetroot Rice Recipe Link
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Instant Pot Beetroot Rice (Beetroot Pulao)
Instant Pot Beetroot Rice|Beetroot Pulao is delicious and healthy one pot rice dish made with beetroot and peas in pulao style.
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 1 medium Onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup Beetroot grated
- ½ cup Green Peas ( i used frozen)
- 3 Green chili
- 1 tablespoon Ginger-garlic paste
- few Curry leaves
- 2 tablespoons Mint leaves optional
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons Coriander leaves chopped
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon juice
- 1.5 cups Water (depends on rice quality)
- 2 tablespoons Oil
Whole Spices
- 1 teaspoon Cumin (jeera seeds)
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 Cloves
- 1 stick Cinnamon
- 2 Cardamom
Dry Spices
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala or biryani masala
Instructions
Instant Pot Method:
- Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it's hot add Bay leaf, Cinnamon stick, Cardamom, Cloves, Curry Leaves, Cumin.Fry for 30 secs(till aromatic).
- Then add green chillies, ginger-garlic paste and saute for another minute until raw smell goes away.
- Then add sliced onions,Saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent -stir regularly
- Add green peas, grated beetroot and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add biryani powder, coriander powder and mix well.
- Add rinsed Basmati Rice, water, salt and give a stir .
- Close the lid on the pot, and turn pressure valve to SEALING position.
- Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 6 minutes
- Wait for natural pressure release (NPR) for 10 minutes
- Remove lid away from you,garnish with Cilantro and lime juice
- Beetroot Rice is ready.Serve with Raita or yogurt
Stove Top Pressure Cooker Method:
- Wash rice until water runs clear. Keep aside.
- Heat a pressure cooker with oil and once it's hot add Bay leaf, Cinnamon stick, Cardamom, Cloves, Curry Leaves, Cumin.Fry for 30 secs(till aromatic).
- Then add green chillies, ginger-garlic paste and saute for another minute until raw smell goes away.
- Then add sliced onions,Saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent -stir regularly
- Add green peas, grated beetroot and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add biryani powder, coriander powder and mix well.
- Add rinsed Basmati Rice, water, salt and give a stir .
- Cover the cooker with lid and cook for two whistles.
- After 10 mins Fluff up the rice gently.garnish with coriander leaves and lemon juice
- Beetroot Rice is ready.Serve with Raita or yogurt
Notes
I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
Tips & Variations:
- If you are soaking rice before ,then add 1.25 cups of water for 1 cup of rice.
- You can also add finely chopped beetroot instead of grated beetroot.
- You can increase or decrease spice accordingly.
- I added green peas along with the grated beets.You can also add potatoes, bell peppers, carrots.
Nutrition
Serving: 0gCalories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0gMonounsaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 94mgPotassium: 184mgFiber: 0gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 240IUVitamin C: 11.7mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1.1mg
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SNACK - Yogurt -Pack this in a separate container with leak proof lid.Add a few teaspoon of milk to yogurt raita can help it not turning sour by lunch time.
SNACK - Dates and Nut Ladoo - Also known as Khajur Ladu are very nutritious ladoo.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dates pitted and chopped (khajoor)
- 1 cup mixed nuts roughly chopped, I am using almonds and walnuts
- 2 teaspoon ghee
Method
- Take 1 cup seedless dates in a blender or food processor and blend to coarse paste without adding any water. keep aside.
- In a pan add 2 teaspoon of ghee ,roast on low flame for 5 minutes or till nuts turn crunchy.
- Add in crushed dates , mix well and saute till the dates start releasing oil.May take 2-3 minutes to release oil.
- Turn off the flame and allow to cool for a minute or 5 and roll them into ladoos when they are warm.
- Dates and nuts ladoos can be stored in air tight container for a month or more.
Recipe Notes:
1.Soften the chopped dates in microwave for 15-20 seconds if they are hard to blend.
2.You can use any other nuts like pistachios , cashew-nuts.
SNACK - Cherries - Its Cherries season again! they are full antioxidants and have many more health benefits.My daughter loves them as well.Try to always pack seasonal and local fruits.
Prep Work For The Previous Evening
- Grate the beetroot previous evening and refrigerate.
- You can also make these ladoo prior and store for a month.
Notes
- Add a few teaspoon of milk to yogurt raita can help it not turning sour by lunch time.
- Packed in a stainless steel tiffin box called Lunchbots which is Eco-Friendly, Dishwasher Safe, BPA-Free and is easily available on Amazon .Do not use plastic lunch boxes to your kids, they are toxic.
- You can increase or decrease quantity based on your child's appetite.
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