Lunch Box Series : LBS#46 Urulai Puli Curry, Lemon Rice

We came back from a trip and I found myself behind my schedules! And on top we had to go exercise our franchise. Not one single worth person to choose but still didn't want it to go waste or be used by someone else.

We had an Artist Weekend at office where all employees were asked to exhibit their artistic talents. And what each of them came out was really amazing. Never knew I was working amidst such a talent lot! Have uploaded few of the most voted works by everybody. I knew I was going to recreate my own painting which I am doing after a decade. All these are framed and adorning our walls!

While I was doing this, I was also thinking of starting something on the lines of the pictures of what I have put up in my Spice Your Life blog about kids! These are some Random pictures but worth so much when you go through them later. More on that will be featured in that blog.

Coming to the post for the day, this is a very simple traditional Tamilian combo for lunch that we make so often. But for a change I made the potatoes in tamarind juice. This is different from this Potato with tamarind. And this Lemon Rice is the way Amma makes. The other lemon rice is how my Athamma makes. I always feel Lemon rice is so simple that it doesn't require a recipe. I was proved wrong when couple of friends expressed that they don't know how to make it!

Today's Lunch Box had

Lemon Rice
Urulai Puli Curry
Rasam with Rice
Curd Rice

Uruli Puli Curry

Ingredients Needed:

Potatoes - 250 gms
Onion - 1 big
Tamarind - small lemon size
Salt to taste
Chili powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder a pinch
Oil - 2 tsp

Seasonings
Curry leaves
Mustard + Urad dal - 1/2
Green Chillies

Method to prepare:

Wash and soak the tamarind in water. Once it is soft extract the pulp. The extract should be thick.

Peel the potatoes and chop into chunks. Make a marinade of tamarind, chili powder, coriander powder, salt and turmeric. Keep it aside for 10 minutes. Then pressure cook till the potatoes are soft.


Heat a pan with oil. Add the seasoning. Once they splutter, then add the onion juliennes along with the green chilies and sauté well till the onions are brown. Then stir in the cooked potatoes along with the masala. Mix well. Cook on high for 2 mins. Simmer for 5 - 10 mins till the curry is thick.

This can be made dry also by roasting it well, but little gravy makes a great combo with Lemon Rice.

Lemon Rice!

Ingredients needed:

Cooked Rice - 1 cup
Lemon - 1 medium
Green Chillies - 4
Turmeric a pinch
Oil- 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

For Seasoning

Bengal Gram - 1 tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal - 1/2 tsp
Ground Nuts - Hand full
Cashew Nuts - 5 - 10
Green Chillies - 1 slit
Curry Leaves a few

Method to prepare:

Soak rice for 10 mins and pressure cook the rice with 2 cups of water. Once the rice is done, transfer to a bowl and let it cool. Sprinkle about 1/2 tsp of oil over the rice to make the grains separate.

Extract the juice from the lemon.

Heat oil in pan, add all seasoning items, fry till they are light brown in colour. Add the Lemon juice and Turmeric. Add salt and cook till the raw smell leaves.

When done, add the masala over the rice and mix well. Adjust the sourness according to your taste.

Serve with Urulai Puli and enjoy!

Tomato Achaar ~ Tomato Dip!

I guess its been our fondest dream to have a decent family dinner with the kids along. We have never seen it happen, as most times either of us or both, will be chasing the kids around the restaurant or whatever place we happen to be. It was the same with Konda when she was this age, now its with the boys. Only we have grown older! Dad always used to challenge Konda to sit still for a minute, but after seeing the boys, he has reduced the span for a second or even less. They hardly understand what he says. They have that innocent look which says they hardly can do such devious things!

Hubby dear finally decided that we would risk the chance and take them to a restaurant, hoping they would sit quite in a new environment. Remember the last time we said we took them and to our surprise, the kids were so well behaved. Well it lasted just that day, the next couple of times we took them out, it was a complete disaster. Every other minute there was a catastrophe dooming over us. We hardly remembered what we eat, what was concluded was that, to never venture out again. But then you tend to go soft right. Especially when they look so innocent and downright harmless, it just melts hubby dear's heart. And this happens with hubby dear very often. Every other chance, he again hopes that the kids will atleast be manageable, if not actually be sitting in one place.

This time it was even worse, even before we started, they were so excited that we were going out and they were yelling out loud. If you are familiar with 2+ year old boys, you will know what I am saying! Anyone seeing this would think we never take them out! From the moment we got seated, one fellow ran over the sofa, while other ran over the floor. I finally decided, in between my morsels, its not worth admiring the yummy dal or the Paneer pasanda on the menu. What would happen if Chinnu gets down the entire laid out table with those delicate glass cookeries! I was imagining the worse, but with these darling devils, anything is possible. When they saw me coming, one ran in one direction, while one took the other way.

Since the other family members were still eating their dinner, I was left with myself to decide which way to run. Finally I caught one fellow and ran with him to catch the other devil on the prowl! On top of this, Peddu caught the fancy of an adorable one year old girl. She was so cute, with pinkish chubby cheeks, Peddu won't get away from her. He went on pinching her cheeks and saying so cute, so cute Amma. I told him sternly that he can stop lineaddichifying (as in tamil), I have better things to attend to. Like checking out what Chinnu was up too. Remember I was imagining he will pull the table down!

Pull he did, but luckily there was only one glass over the table and in seconds, we heard the glass breaking to million pieces and looks of shocked expression all around us. I grabbed both of them close, lest they step on a piece. After that it was a hurried show back home. Thus ended another of our adventure!

Coming to this Tomato Achaar that I prepared as the dip for the Momos, its a lovely combo of garlic and tomatoes. When I was going through the many recipes that I was referring, finally conjured this concoction combing ideas from all of them. Not sure if authentically this is how its made, but its one awesome dip for any snack. Off late, dips seems to have caught my fancy!

Tomato Dip ~ Achaar

Ripe Tomatoes - 2 big
Garlic flakes - 10 medium
Red chili long - 5 -7
Salt to taste

For Seasoning

Cumin Seeds
Oil - 1 -2 tsp

Method to prepare:

Boil the red chilies in 1 cup of water in sim. Remove after 5 -6 mins

Chop the tomatoes into chucks. Keep aside a quarter of the chopped tomatoes

Peel and dice the garlic.

When the red chillies are cooled, run it first in a mixer till you get a coarse or even a semi powder. Then take half of the garlic along with 3/4 tomatoes, grind it to a smooth paste.

Heat a pan with oil, temper with cumin seeds, then add the remaining chopped garlic. Fry well.

Then finally add the chunks, and simmer till the tomatoes are soft, then add the ground tomatoes. Cook well after seasoning with salt.

Cook till you get a good thick sauce. This can be served with Momos, and guess about chips or rotis etc!

This can be easily made in advance and stored in fridge!

Since this dip took me not more than 10 mins to get done, sending this to Mahimaa's 15 minute cooking event!

Momos, Fried Momos and a Birthday Bash!

Today is very special to us as its Konda's Birthday! The birthday baby was all excited and couldn't sleep much and got up early too. She turns 8 today, and dislikes being called a baby and carries herself very mature. I was really sad when I realized she didn't ask for a treat to her school friends as she does every year. It is so hard to accept our kids being all grown up! I remember a time when I used to bake for such occasions and hope sometime in future I get back to it!

Though her cousins had planned to be staying here till her birthday they left rather early due to other reasons. So plans were very much restricted with the family. The boys were all so sweet in wishing their sister birthday greetings. And infact wanted a similar dress as hers! The boys are somehow fond of Konda's dresses. I guess they are so bored with their routine dress patterns. Amma always made my birthdays very special and used to make Gulab Jamun, which was my favorite growing up. Guess its been ages since I had one. It was pretty late when we went to bed, discussing with Konda on her plans. I was insisting her tell me what she wants as in some sweet. She never being a person to eat anything in excess, was perplexed to choose something. She finally narrowed it to Payasam, with a judgmental point to be made as how her Ammamma makes. Well that's a tough yardstick for me to be measured. Still I tried and I carried some for my colleagues who licked the last bit off the bowl. I was satisfied that it must've been good.


We had a great time but most times yes, of course it was tough managing all the kids around. I made PBM and Parotta as its Konda's favorite and the party went way down late.

Coming to the Momos, these I prepared yesterday. Ever since I knew about the Momos, they have been on my list to make. Finally hubby dear forced me to get down to business, by forwarding few links for me to refer. I finally came up with my own version of the stuffing after reading on them. Not sure if this is the traditional stuffing, but I ensured I followed what was common among all links. Though I simply loved the pictures, I was told that the wrappers were hard!

I made with Mutton Keema with home made wrappers made with All purpose flour. When I got down making the moulds, I remembered Gudumulu, but that's with Rice flour and this is wheat. Dad said he had only eaten Veg Momos and the outer wrappers were extremely soft and thin. Hubby dear said the same. So I fried some to get the fried Momos, which I guess were little better.

So I need advice from the Momos experts on getting the correct wrapper, I am sure going to make it again!

I made Momos with Mutton Keema stuffing, and Tomato Achaar as the dip!

Momos with Mutton Keema!

For the wrapper:

All purpose flour - 1 & 3/4 cup (makes about 9 medium sized momos)
Salt to taste
Water to kneading

For the stuffing:

Mutton Keema - 250 gms
Onions - 1 medium
Green Chillies - 4 long
Tomatoes - 1 medium
Ginger - 4 -5 flakes
Garlic - 3"
Fresh Coriander leaves chopped handful
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Chili powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric a pinch
Coarse pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 1 -2 tsp
Salt to taste

Method to prepare:

For the Momos:

Take the flour and mix with salt and enough water to get a pliable dough. Let it rest for an hour, with covered muslin cloth.

Before making the dumplings, knead again. divide into equal balls.

For the stuffing.

Wash and let the keema drain.

Heat a pan with oil. Add cumin seeds, then sauté in finely chopped ginger and garlic. I used grated ginger and garlic. Sauté well.

Then add finely chopped onions, along with green chilies, coriander leaves.Fry well till the onions start sweating. Add the chopped tomatoes along with all the spice powders except pepper. Simmer for 5 mins, till the tomatoes turn soft.

Add the drained keema, combine everything well. Simmer for 10 mins, for the meat to get cooked. When the meat is done, sprinkle the pepper and mix again.

Allow it to cool down before you start making the Momos.

For the Momos:

Dust the rolling board, take one ball, roll out a circle of 5" diameter or you can flatten in your palm as how you will make your stuffed parathas. Only difference being you don't flatten them. Observe the pattern in most Momos, you can stick to opposite layer as in pleats once you have the stuffing within.

Place the stuffing in the center and cover together. Place the Momos in a vessel and steam for 10 - 15 minutes or till done. I used my Idli vessel, guess it will work out well.
Fried Momos:

Once the Momos are steamed, you can deep fry them in oil and you have another tasty dish on hand.

These are normally served with Tomato Achaar or dip.

Will post the Achaar later. I hope to get enlighten on the making soft Momos, so let me know!

Almond Milk Cake ~ Badam Halwa in Microwave!

I took a day off as the boys were due for their vaccine shot. We expected them to throw lot of tantrums and also chances of running a temperature. Luckily none of this happened except Peddu being very cranky. Now that's nothing new, these days he has got into the habit of wanting a ride the bike very often. They were happy knowing that they were due for a car ride. Poor darlings, they were crying the moment we got into the room. My first sister in laws and her daughters were at home for a week and the kids had a great time with their cousins.

I thought I should plan the menu but somehow managed on the fly! One thing I did remember to make is their favorite Rava Kesari and the impending Microwave event forced me to make this too. This wasn't a last minute dish but last minute preparation! This month my lovely event is guest hosted by dear friend Mythreyee and the moment she choose Nuts, I knew I had to make this. This has been on my mind for so long and finally I came around making it.

The whole day the kids had a field day playing around and I got around this only after they took an afternoon nap. Knowing the richness of the dish, I just wanted to make with a cup and not more than that.

The nutty feeling you get when you chew it is simply awesome. Infact to make it smooth, I soaked it in hot water for more than an hour or rather things worked out that way. I really don't think you got to soak it for so long.

Ingredients Needed:

Badam / Almond - 1 cup
Sugar - 1 - 1&1/2 cup
Milk - 1 cup 1 tbsp
Roasted Nuts for garnish.
Ghee - 2 tsp
Saffron threads - 4- 5 + Milk 2 tbsp
Hot water for blanching almonds

Method to prepare:

Micro 1 cup of water for 1 min. Soak almonds in it for 10 mins. Peel off the skin. Heat the milk for saffron for 1/2 min.

First run the almonds in the mixie, when you get the coarse powder, remove a tsp and grind the rest with milk to a smooth paste.

In a microwave safe bowl, heat the ghee and roast the nuts for 1 min on micro. Remove the nuts and transfer the almond paste, milk along with the soaked saffron and sugar to the same bowl. Add the coarse almond power to the same bowl

Micro for 10 mins, check in intervals of 2 - 4 minutes and keep stirring. You will get a good thick consistency which is more of a barfi and between a halwa.

Finally mix in the roasted nuts.

I liked the taste the coarse powder gave to the entire texture. And it was very creamy.

Sending a bowl to Mythreyee for Microwave Easy Cooking event themed on Nuts!

Lunch Box Series : LBS#45 the tale of the beerakaya continues!

I am sure you must be eager to know how the tale continues. For those of you who are clueless on the story, please read the tale of the Beerakaya Kura. The second of the two beerakai, found itself taking the form of a pappu! I do think people from Andhra are fond of their pappu. Anything you give them they can make a pappu out of it. And this Beerakaya pappu is the most favorite of Amma. She says she can never get it as good as how her mom makes. I think I can never get most dishes as how Amma makes. I conclude that all Mom's cooking is unparallel. Having said that, I ardently hope my kids feel the same about my cooking too down the lane!

Coming back to the tale, Amma always tells her mom's Beerakaya pappu was the ultimate dish she loved. It was so thick that even a slash with knife would be hard to cut it neat and was so delicious. They were a family of 10, yet the dal was never runny. It will have that thick consistency of Kaati Pappu types. All you need is just this dal with steaming rice, you sure will have a ticket to heaven! Of course, I might serve this with a dash of Avakaya. Still I knew and could understand her sentiments. I always loved her dal. Its not your spicy dal mind you. But not very bland too, just right enough to elevate your taste buds. This not being a seasonal veggie, you get it round the year or so I think, as Amma used to make this quite often. She never had anybody complain on being served this.

Then entered the prodigious son-in-law, for whom 2 tsp of fiery chili powder or bright green chilies are not really spicy enough. So this not so bland dal, was a sore experience! Thus came the end of this favorite dal at home, never to be made so often, reserved for certain days during his absence. Many years passed, months ran away, when one fine morning I received a call from Amma. They were then in the city of joy and found their joy too. The flowing Ganges, the cool breeze, added to their excitement came this discovery that sublime dishes got elevated to a different level in that place. I could hear the excitement in Amma's tone when she said it almost felt like a memory from her childhood, thinking of the way it tasted as how her Mom makes. I was so happy hearing it.




Forward a couple of years ahead, and you find me with two beerakaya on hand. Not knowing what else I should contrive on it. I was itching to make that beerakaya pappu and so gingerly asked hubby dear if I can. He sure showed surprised that I should still remember that, but years have bowled it soft and he pleaded that I should make it a bit more spicy for it to be palatable!

So this found its way to our lunch box today and I was chicken enough not to ask him how it tasted. But I knew it must have been good as hubby dear was obliging enough to click these pictures as I had to leave in a hurry for the office!

Today's Lunch Box had

Beerakaya Pappu
Plain Rice
Rasam
Vadiyalu

Beerakaya Pappu ~ Ridge Gourd Dal!

Beerakaya / Ridge Gourd - 1 medium
Toor Dal - 150 gms
Tomatoes - 1 big
Green Chillies - 5 -6 long
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Dried Tamarind - 1"
Water, enough to pressure cook.
Turmeric powder a pinch
Salt to taste

For tempering:

Onion - 50 gms
Oil - 1 - 2 tsp
Curry leaves
Red chilies - 2
Chopped garlic - 1- 2



Method to Prepare:

Grate the outer skin of the Ridge Gourd and chop into small pieces.

Wash the dal well and take it in a pressure cooker along with chopped tomatoes, green chilies, tamarind pulp, turmeric powder, add enough water and pressure cook till the dal is tender.

Once the pressure is off, heat a pan with oil, temper with the seasoning ingredients and pour the dal into the pan and bring to boil. Cook till you get the required consistency!

Serve with Rice or Roti!

For all I have spoken about this dal, I hope you try this out and enjoy!

Tale of two Beerakaya ~ One being the Beerakaya Kura or Ridge gourd curry!

It all started with hubby dear coming home with two long Ridge gourd! Now what would one do at that point you tell. Ok you may not know the background story right. Its the same old complaint that its the same old veggies at the market and nothing new to create a new dish. Rather we end up buying the same old veggies. Well hearing such complaints just before leaving, am sure offsets anybody. And hubby dear is no different, I tell you. He got fed with us complaining that he never gets anything different apart from the radiant carrots or the lean mean bean or the stout cabbages or the plum tomatoes or the pungent onions. I guess that's about makes it a whole lot right.

Anyway on this occasion, he said he will come with something different. And different it was, cos Ridge gourd is not something that I cook often. More so after he started complaining that I make it so bland. Am sure my hubby dears penchant for spicy food is well known by now. So lest I overlook at that aspect, he reminds me quite often that my Beerakaya Pappu is not what he calls his cup of dish in this case! Actually that's the second tale, infact.

Let me first tell the first one please. When we realized that hubby dear cannot digest pappu, we decided its going to be the kura! You know right, Kura gets beautified with ginger garlic paste and other assorts of spices, not to mention you either have the option of highlighting it with coconut pate or ground nut powder. True to my genes, I prefer groundnut powder anyways. It was quite surprising that this kura went into oblivion after a while. We completely stopped cooking this at home, all maybe because hubby dear had no love more hate relationship with this vegetable.

Now he finally comes home with not one but two of them. That for sure is an overdose I tell you. I have not one, but two different ways to cook those delicate darlings. Surprise surprise, both were not featured here. Is that God sent or what! So you get to see or read the first tale, second one follows a while!

Ingredients Needed:

Ridge Gourd / Beerakaya - 1 medium
Onions - 1/2 medium
Tomatoes - 1 medium
Chili powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder a pinch
Roasted Groundnut powder -1 - 2 tsp

For tempering:

Curry leaves + mustard seeds, urad dal
Oil - 1 tsp
Salt to taste

Method to prepare:

Grate the outer skin of the vegetable. The outer skin can be made into a Beerakaya pachadi

Wash and then Chop into 1' pieces.

Heat a pan with oil, add the mustard, urad dal and curry leaves. fry for 1 min.

Then add the chopped onions, sauté, then add the tomatoes along with spice powders and salt. Fry till tomatoes are little mushy.

Add the chopped ridge gourd, fry well. Add required water. Cover with lid covered and simmer for 10 - 15 mins. The ridge gourd gets cooked easily enough.

Check in between. Once done, remove lid and add the groundnut powder and bring to boil. You can remove when it reaches a thick consistency enough to be served with chapatis.

This goes well with rice too. I blogged the pachadi a year back and getting back to post this kura only now!

Enjoy this and hope you will be back to hear the tale of the two Ridge Gourd! Till then have a great week ahead.

Monthly Mingle Round up!

Its really strange how our minds work! I am so used to a particular dates for my events that I completely forgot that I am yet to do the round up of the wonderful Monthly Mingle this time featured on my favorite topic Kids Lunches. Thank you Meeta for giving me this opportunity for a wonderful mingle, we have quite a feast to choose from!

We have a wide range of dishes to select to satisfy that most important person in our life! Our Kids! And what a varieties, I was simply so satisfied to see the different entry dropping in each day. I have bookmarked almost all of them, so I expect you too.

When I thought Kids lunches, I didn't really restrict to just lunches, but more of what you can make your kid to eat in terms of carrying a packed meal. But it could include snacks and other items too.
I was happy that the participant not only thought out of box but came up with some good choice to whip up when the kids get bored with the same dishes.

So lets proceed with the entries and feast ourselves!

Putting the entries into some category always makes it easy to appreciate. So that's what I have done.

Thanks all participants for sending in their lovely entries. I have ensured I have not missed any entry, but my apologies if something got missed. Do drop a line, will amend it right away!

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Lets get on to check out, First on the go comes two lovely sets of full lunch boxes.

Bhawana has outdone herself by giving us a menu that can cater to all three meals of a kiddo's day. And the items she has lined makes me want to reach out, am sure many kids would love to have these made for them too!
Next comes Jaya with some wonderful ideas to pack for a toddler's lunch. Homemade always make these snacks great and when the kiddos love them, no question about it. And we also get to peek into some fantastic lunch boxes!

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Then on the go are some yummy snacks, which I am sure no kid will say no!

When you are running out of ideas on what to make for your kids, am sure you would love to know about this delicious dip that Anjali made with curds and herbs. This makes a great stuffing for sandwiches that you can pack your little ones for lunch!

Then we have one of the jugalbandit reminisce on her baby days. She says when she was a baby, she could've been easily fooled by her mom to eat these delicious Horse Gram Cocktail Fritters, if she was told they were “beef croquettes”. I really wonder why, they look so yummy as such! Hop on to read another interesting account of Bee's journey towards being a better kid!

Next entry is from the creator of this beautiful event Meeta. Her pictures are always breathtaking, and she gives another ace with this bowl of fish fingers coated with cornflakes to be accompanied with Veggie chips. Let alone her son, her picture tempts me to grab some right off the screen!

Then we have Nithyasri making some interesting cones /a>that would serve as a great snack for the kids. Its not only interesting but healthy too as she makes it with sprouts.

Finally we have Parita coming with some Sweet Corn Frankie, which are simple to just pack and go for a picnic! Am sure kids would love to bite in these delicious frankies! And she talks about chaat chaat, well guess everybody's mind is only of chat!

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Next we have some cool side dishes that make a great combo with either rice or bread, and most important Kid friendly!

First on the list is a cool and delicious curry from Aquadaze! Though Aquadaze is crazy about eggs, it didn't get rub off her lil one. And she doesn't eat it if its not made as this yummy looking Egg Curry. with Milk and cornflour, it sure is a different one to try!

Next we have Arch sending in a full lunch menu that she made for her lil one. Having a no fussy kid is a God's gift to mother and I am sure many will be J hearing Arch praise her adorable 3 year old, who would want Roti subzi instead of chips and burgers. So she prepares a spread that includes Palakwali Moong Dal, Paneer Burjee and Carrot Raita. Now that's a lunch I won't mind having too!

Bhagyashri brings in an amazingly simple potato stir fry that her daughter loved so much. She just couldn't believe this dish was so simple to make, yet made her go for a second and third serving when she had it in a restaurant!

Then we have Ekta trying her best to get veggies into her daughter's lunch. And she says Chana Dal with Laukiis the best way to get her daughter eat lauki. Not that she loves lauki, but she hardly finds it in the dal! Well it helps to have such clever cooking!

We then have Kayal bringing in two dishes for the mingle. Her Arai Keerai Kootu is sure an healthy one to get the kids eat. Its interesting to note that her kid loves this green leafy dish. Well if only all kids were like that, but anyways there is no harm in my trying this out I guess!

Another simple dish that her child loves is this Simple Veg Curry. She uses peas and cauliflower, which he ensures he eats from everybody! that's so cute...This curry is not only tasty but very simple to make.

Mansi comes up with this simple and easy Kadhai paneer that you can make in a jiffy to pack for your kid. Am sure this makes a great one for dinner too!

Then we have Priya talking about the most loved veggie of all, especially by the kids. She sends in a simple quick Potato dish that her niece and nephew love and it can be paired with chapati, stuff between a sandwich, the choice is yours entirely!

Sheetal shares her childhood favorite dish Gul-Amba, that her mom used to make for her. Now her child enjoys when given. She says this makes a great side dish for rotis and you won't want for anything else!

From an Andhra kitchen comes a Chili con Queso, a Mexican delight! Well our dear Uma is all set woo her kids with a protein filled plate that takes care of all the diet needs of the day!

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Next comes One pot meals which makes it all easy and of course the parathas!

Anjali shares this wonderful incident she had with her nephew and how she made him eat this delicious looking beet rice. She takes special care to make them arranged in a lovely mound that's easy for kids to scoop by themselves!

Next we have Meera sending in a wholesome packed meal with her Methi Mushroom Makai Pullao. Am sure this works out well on its own for lunch and you really don't have to worry about adding anything more!

Parathas are a great dish for lunch and am sure kids love them. I loved the fact that Parita made them look so colour with her Bell Pepper and Spring Onion Parathas!

If there is one thing I love, its chapatis. What's more if I get it colorful. But then I remember its for kids this time and say yes my kids would love to this lovely Rainbow Chapathi that Sujatha sends in!

Sweatha makes a wholesome lunch with Chickpeas and Vegetable in Rice. This mild rice makes it perfect for the kids and can be easily made. I am sure this helps when we run out of ideas!

Another interesting healthy one from Vibaas is the Tofu Parathas. Her kids loved it until they heard that the parathas were stuffed with tofu. Guess it helps to keep certain things secret!

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Now that we are done with rice and parathas, am sure you are looking forward to one plate servings that works out well with kids.

First on the list we have A&N, on the way to get their version of burgers patented by coming out with a burger version named AnBurgers. They say its not only healthy but makes it more interesting if we could get the kids do it along with us. Well if only they know! But anyways the looks of the burger is sure enough to tempt me try it out!

Then comes a redesigned idly taking a different form. Anu says when kids feel bored to eat the same old idly, change it to take a different look by making it as Upma. Imagine the surprise the kids will have opening their lunch box and peeping into a prepped up Idly!

Now Mac and cheese with Italian Sausage, sounds just the right one to interest any kid. And if it comes from Asha, it sure will be great. She says this is what her kids prefer on a weekday dinner, am sure it fills and sits well with any age group!

This Kid's lunch pack from Cham makes me want to carry one! She packs in Vegetable Noodle, with some fruit yogurt and juice. Now that I call a perfect one to feed a hungry kid!

EC comes up with a simple yet tasty version of Eggless masala toast, that can make a great snack for kids!

I know this being so common may not even come to mind, but looking at the beautiful picture sent by Food Fanatic, reminds that upma is yet another delicious option when you don't know what to feed your kid!

Mickey is for sure a kids friend and imagine a dosa in shape of Mickey! yes, Kalpana gets all innovative and makes a dosa in Mickey's shape and no wonder it was all vanished within minutes. And to accompany these are another interesting ones, the fruit kababs...

Prajusha makes this delicious and colourful looking Ribbon sandwich that will make a great lunch. The green chutney along with the other veggies, makes sure you have your fill of nature's best!

Rajee cooks up this wonderful looking Cracked Wheat with Tomato Upma, which warms up any cold day! I know it makes a good one to pack for your kid, and the things you can add to this are so many that you can never exhaust all!

Dosas I love, and Shubha makes it even more interesting by making in as Numbers! What a cool way to get your kids learn numbers. Her Dozza is another healthy way to make kids eat veggies!

Knowing how much my kids love this Puffed Rice uppma, I can say without doubt that this can be all kids favorite. And looking at sukanya's delicious plate, there leaves no doubt, am sure!

Reading Vibaas, I felt my head nodding, well I guess its most common scene that she was talking about. She says she has tough time getting the veggies taken by her kids and resorts to sneaky ways to get them done, am sure I will follow suit if they loved these Cheese Toast with Cauliflower and Peas!

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Baked Goodies!

First on the parade is one yummy looking bread from Bharti. Banana Bread or Banana Cake how different can it be. Well the pan makes the difference I see and so says Bharti too. She bakes these bread and serves for breakfast. Of course they make a great lunch box item too for kids and its healthy too!

Then we have Ivy remembering her childhood days and getting nostalgic about eating these aromatic Cypriot Cinnamon and Raisin Bread Rolls. I know they will any kid want for more. With the goodness of cinnamon and raisin, these buns make a great snacks to be packed!

For Miri, its a delicious discovery, finding this Instant Handvo that she was meaning to prepare for over a year. And making it instant made it also possible for her to pack these for her lil one! How sweet, I mean the fact that her lil one is enjoying the dish!

If you want to woo a kid, there is nothing better than a cake. Nags gets better by making these lovely Butterscotch Blondies for her young nephews. I am sure kids would love to pack these along to feast on them!

Soma makes her princesses eat these Cheese & Pasta Mini Cups by cleverly coming up with ways that she can sneak healthy stuff into cups. I am sure her kids enjoyed these treats!

Yasmeen packs in one yummy pockets. She had me drool for long with the choice she has, what with Mango jam and vegetable pockets that she makes for her kid. When you are in a rush, do read out her post to know how you can quickly get these done!

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Well we also can think of these delicious non veg dishes to give protein and other things for the kids, so check out some interesting entries!

Deeba can make your head spin with her delicious cakes and desserts and its no wonder that she can extend theme to these delicious looking Chicken Quesadillas, that her kids love. Looking at the wonderful plate that's so wholesome makes it more inviting!

I was really happy seeing Lisa's entry. Not only is this her first event entry, but first post too. And imagine dishing out such a delicious Risotto with shrimps and mushrooms, which her family enjoyed a lot!

Then we have Priya sending in couple of dishes that sure sound very interesting for a kid!. Trust her to come out with such a flavourful plate. Chicken Fried Rice with Pepper omelette is such a tempting combo that a kid will surely not say no!

Then she makes this super healthy combo meal for her kid that's not only interesting but is more on the lean mean side of the fat! French Beans n Baked Chicken Crisps are perfect for anytime!

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Cultures may be different, but I wonder at the similarity we at times have with such a different cuisine! This delicious sounding Quince Halvas Nistisimos are from Ivy and they are almost same as our yummy halwas and make a great treat to kids!

Joanne gets back to make a pizza in Greek Style and yeah its one tempting one! So its no wonder it got disappeared the moment it was made. The kid in me wants to grab a slice or two!

Supriya comes out with a beautiful looking Green Butterfly Pasta, which her daughter liked very much. I am sure it was more because of the green colour that the kid was attracted and the taste complemented the lot!

Varsha sends in some lovely Healthy Oats-Nuts bar, that can work out best when you are planning to pack some healthy snacks for the kids. Best part being it can be stored and served.

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Then we have Sree Vidya bringing in multiple choice for us to choose and each of them sound more interesting than the other. Am sure it would not be chore getting the kids eat these delicious Gobi Manchurian or the fancy Kathi roll.

Her Macaroni hot pot is something to get done in jiffy not to mention the Paneer bhurji that can save your day anytime.

But lets start it all with her Nutty n Creamy Veg Soup, it sure to make anybody crave for more. She adds in nuts along with veggies, which makes it a ideal wholesome food for kids! Even if you can't pack it regularly, am sure you will find a way to send this along if your kid gets to fancy this!

Or this yummy Coconut Milk Pulav, which am sure any kid will fancy. So that's a great idea to share with other mommies right. This pulao is mild and is quite easy to get the kids take this!

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Then we have Vidhas sending in some 9 different dishes to choose from.

Vidhas makes this nutritious pulao with broken wheat with the goodness of veggies included. Not only the kids love it, they can carry this for their lunch box!

This simple mexican rice from Vidhas is an ideal one to please a kid. Its mild, yet interesting and colourful to attract a lil one!

I guess most kids love paneer and making different dishes with it, makes things little easier for us. And Vidhas comes with her versions of bhrji and parathas which sure will get any kid finish off the plate!

Vidhas makes this poori masala which I know is everybody's favorite and esp kids, who can have this anytime of the day. So when you run ideas to make for the lil angels, think of this!

Check out her other interesting Shahi Vegetable Pulao, Roti and Rajma, Wheat Veg , Mamoos, Chickpea Paratha and Mushroom Rice

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Finally from me, Aloo Tamatar Sabzi with Kasturi Methi with Masala Rice

Hope you enjoyed the varieties!