Tag: kid-friendly

Tofu, Corn, and Hemp Seed Veggie Boats

Leave a comment

Developed for a back-to-school article, these veggie boats were created with kids in mind. Kids, we know, are budding architects, and building their own lunch keeps them interested, so keeping these unassembled let’s them have some fun with their lunch.

Stuffed Tomatoes with Fresh Corn and Hempseeds

Tofu, Corn, and Hemp Seed Stuffed Veggie Boats

Creamy Tofu Filling:
1 (350g/12.3oz) package extra-firm tofu, squeezed of excess moisture
1/3 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1/4 cup fresh basil, lightly packed
2 to 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons roasted tahini
1 clove garlic
Sea or Himalayan salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste

For Assembly
Fresh tomatoes, innards removed
Mini fresh peppers, innards removed
Fresh corn, sliced right off the cob
Hemp seeds

To make the creamy tofu filling, put the tofu, nutritional yeast flakes, basil, 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice, the tahini, and garlic clove in the food processor. Process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adding lemon juice if desired.

Depending on your child’s appetite, hollow out tomatoes and peppers and put in a container. Put some of the filling in a separate container. Mix together corn and hemp seeds in a third container. Pack the ingredients in the lunch box with a small spoon for assembly.

Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers with Creamy Tofu, Fresh Corn, and Hempseeds 2

Advertisement

Super Simple Snack Bars

Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe what is in these – or rather, what isn’t, notably, any added sugar. These
are a great snack for kids and a breeze to make. They also freeze well, and can use sunflower seeds instead of almonds to make them school-safe.

buckwheat energy bars

Super Simple Snack Bars

1 1/2 cups pitted honey dates, halved (I recommend honey dates over Medjool for best flavor and texture)
1 cup raw almonds
1 cup Creamy Buckwheat Cereal
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Put the dates, almonds, cereal, and cinnamon in a heavy-duty food processor. Process until ingredients are mixed well and the dough begins to stick together.

Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Press evenly into the pan. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 15 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Use the foil or parchment paper to help lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into bars and enjoy warm, or cool completely. Wrap individually and store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer for a snacks on-the-go.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pretzel Sandwiches

1 Comment

Sweet, creamy cookie dough. Crunchy salty pretzels. Smooth silky chocolate. Everyone will love these bite-sized sandwiches. For a soy-free batch, I used crispy plantain chips instead of the pretzels… which was a truly awesome experiment.

cookie dough pretzel sandwiches 2

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pretzel Sandwiches

1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup vegan buttery spread, such as Earth Balance
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup sorghum flour
2/3 cup tapioca flour
2/3 cup icing sugar, sifted
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
About 64 knot-shaped pretzels (I use Snyders Gluten-Free)
2 teaspoons coconut oil
Fine sea salt (optional, but recommended)

Put the maple syrup, vegan buttery spread, and vanilla extract in a bowl or a stand mixer. Using a hand mixer or the stand mixer, beat until well combined. Add the flour, icing sugar, and salt. Beat until fluffy and well-mixed. Add 1/3 cup of the chocolate chips and beat until combined.

Lay a piece of waxed paper on a large plate. Use your hands to roll the mixture into truffle-sized balls (about 32). Squish each ball to about 1-inch thick between two pretzels to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining balls and pretzels. Put in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Nearing the end of the 15 minutes, put the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals on medium-power, stirring between each one, until melted and smooth.

Dip half of each sandwich into the melted chocolate, then put it back on the waxed paper. Sprinkle with salt, if desired. Freeze or refrigerate until chocolate is set. Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.