Back to school meal ideas

Wow! The time has finally come! The children went back to school today and I was a ball of mixed emotions, but most of all happy that they were not at all scared, perhaps a little nervous. This was mostly due to starting a new school year with new teachers, and for this I am extremely grateful. My children are blessed to belong to an awesome school, run extremely well.

I thought parents might need a little inspiration for lunch box ideas and after school meals and snacks.

I hope the below info will inspire you and lend you a hand in the kitchen. This is also a wonderful opportunity to get your older children to pack their own lunches too :-)

Essential items to have on hand are various food saver items (sturdy water bottles, wooden/plastic spoons, small containers, lunch boxes with compartments, brown paper sandwich bags.)

Baking prep can be done on a weekend for the coming week ahead and I pack the lunches the day before and keep them fresh in the fridge. You need to find a suitable routine for your family.

It is most important that children do not share their lunches as some may have severe allergic reactions to certain foods.

Image credit: www.modernhoney.com/back-to-school-kids-lunch-ideas/

Protein options:

• Puff pastry cheese and ham slices

• Cocktail sausages

• Rolled cold meat slices

• Cold chicken BBQ wings from the supper the night before

• Savoury crepes/pancakes

• Meatballs

• Mini cheddar and onion pies

• Sausage rolls

Fruit & nuts: (Be aware of allergies)

• Mini fruit skewers (grapes, melon, assorted berries)

• Clementines

• Grapes

• Dried apricots

• Dried mango

• Fruit yoghurt (Alpro soya/oat is good for dairy intolerant children)

• Blueberries

• Strawberries

• Orange segments

• Bananas

• Apples

• Roasted pecan nuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts

• Peanuts and raisins

• Veg & dips: 

  • Carrot sticks

  • Cucumber sticks

  • Celery sticks

  • Cherry tomatoes

  • Crunchy green beans

  • Hummus dip

  • Cottage cheese dip

  • Cream cheese dip

  • Olives

  • Skewers with cheese and sweet gherkins/cherry tomatoes/cucumber

  • Radishes

  
  

  Carbohydrates:

  • Sandwiches/wraps/pita breads/bagels/bread rolls with healthy fillings:

  • Leftover chicken breast (from a roast chicken dinner) mixed with mayo & chives (lettuce separate)

  • Roast beef slices and mustard/tomato sauce

  • Cheese slices and crispy streaky bacon rashers

  • Ham & cheese

  • BLT (Put the filling items separate and let the child assemble at school)

  • Halloumi cheese and basil pesto

  • Sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella

  • Cream cheese/cottage cheese with thinly sliced cucumber (provide the cucumber separate)

  • Peanut butter, syrup/jam/banana (Beware of allergies)

  • Nutella and sliced banana (Beware of allergies)

  • Sausage slices, tomato sauce/mustard/mayo

  • I would steer clear of fish & eggs for your child’s sake (boiled egg, tuna, sardines etc all have strong smells)

  • I could go on and on….:-)

  • Cheese and chive savoury muffins

  • Blueberry muffins

  • Carrot muffins

  • Banana muffins

  • Sweetcorn & Cheddar fritters

  • Mashed potato croquettes 

  • Mini savoury quiches

  • Mini savoury tarts

  • Salted Crackers 

  • Pretzel sticks/shapes