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Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Montoya on January 22, 2012, 04:35:32 am

Title: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: Montoya on January 22, 2012, 04:35:32 am
Hi everyone,
I was just wondering what everyone's favourite lunchbox recipes are for the kiddies as they are going back to school this week here in sunny Queensland? I couldn't seem to find a thread on this topic but i may not have been looking in the right spot. Thanks!
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: obbie on January 22, 2012, 04:56:38 am
Hi  Montoya,
I just came back to the office, to see what others are doing for school lunch box ideas too.

My 2 are back tomorrow at school.

I am doing sandwiches, wraps for my daughter,  muffins, piklets, LCM bars ( home made),  biccies, yoghurt or  custard, fruit.
cheese/ biccies, sultanas.
lots of little things,

Robyn
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: judydawn on January 22, 2012, 05:10:42 am
Some more ideas here (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=2805.0) girls.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: KerrynN on January 22, 2012, 05:41:01 am
Apart for the usual sandwiches and wraps my two will have mini sausage rolls (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=5582.0), cheese and bacon rolls (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3114.0), and mini quiche with ham, cheese and cream or with tinned salmon, cheese and cream.

They don't go back for another week and a half though.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: shiverama on January 24, 2012, 01:34:42 pm
My boys love the vitality truffles I just leave out the nuts when they are for lunch. the vegetarian cookbook has some great recipes like cheese straws and the Guenter's crisp crackers. I also make cheesy  vegiemite  scrolls which they love. :)
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: dede on January 24, 2012, 08:35:45 pm
I make a variety of items for the kids lunches like rolls, slices,biscuits, muffins, sausage rolls, egg and bacon pie, pizza, scrolls etc. I have 6 containers that I like to be full on a Sunday and they are usually empty by Friday. Feeding 6 people is a big job cause boy can they eat lol.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: Montoya on January 25, 2012, 09:07:19 am
Thanks everyone. I'll check some out!
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: DizzyGirl on January 25, 2012, 09:26:57 am
My baked bean cases which were published in Additive Free Lunch Box Ideas are always a winner (and I even won a prize for best additive free lunch box recipe)

•12 slices wholemeal bread (crust removed)
•2 tablespoons melted butter
•1 can 420g baked beans
•4 eggs
•Grated cheese


1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Using a rolling pin, roll bread slices lightly until thin. Brush one side with melted butter.
 2. Press buttered side down into a 12 hole muffin tin. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden and crisp.
 3. Spoon baked beans evenly into the bread cases. Lightly whisk the eggs and pour over the baked beans. Sprinkle grated cheese  on top of each bread case.
 4. Bake for further 15-20 minutes or until hot and golden.

These freeze well and can be eaten hot or cold.

a great way to get extra protein into kids diets.

DG  :-*
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: judydawn on January 25, 2012, 10:32:21 am
That's something I would like myself DG, congratulations for winning the prize with it.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: DizzyGirl on January 25, 2012, 09:35:11 pm
JD they are so quick and easy and i always have the ingredients at hand. Tuna and creamed corn in them work well too.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: Montoya on January 27, 2012, 09:37:14 am
Yum these look great Dizzy! Will have to cook up on the weekend. Do they freeze well?
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: Montoya on January 27, 2012, 09:39:27 am
Oh just saw that they freeze well.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: judydawn on January 27, 2012, 10:07:10 am
I made these (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=8792.0) today and they would be great for kids' lunchboxes - they are actually nicer cold than hot.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: DizzyGirl on January 27, 2012, 07:23:24 pm
Yes they do freeze well but if you are reheating them, do it in the oven as the bread can go soggy in the microwave.

I usually make a batch and freeze uncooked for parties. Half the work is done that way.  :D
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: mcmich on February 18, 2012, 06:16:45 am
Have just read this thread looking for ideas for DD birthday brunch and these
will be perfect. Congratulations DG on winning a prize.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: Halex on February 18, 2012, 10:14:26 pm
So far I think ds has had sandwiches twice, we have only been back 2 1/2 weeks.

I love to give him different things, sandwiches get boring.

His fav so far
Zuchini muffins by astarra
Nigella ritzy nuggets
Fried rice
Sticky chicken
Mini quiches, bacon & egg
Pizza

This week I am going to try JD's mini chicken & veg loaf.


H :)
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: cookie1 on February 19, 2012, 06:23:58 am
Hally how do you keep his food nice and chilled for school? Even with those chiller bricks it often looks yuk for the children.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: Halex on February 19, 2012, 08:26:56 am
Ok his food is put in Tupperware straight from the freezer. So its frozen when we leave the house, i also then put it in a tuperware bag with a place for an ice pack or straight into a plastic bag with large ice packs either side. if its sandwiches they are frozen too. His lunch is always fresh, recess  sometimes still a little cold/frozen.

It works well, just plan ahead & freeze.

You know me & my freezer :D

H :)
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: astarra on February 19, 2012, 11:09:25 pm
Yay - just what I was looking for!!!!!!!
This is DD's 4th day back at school, and she is another 'not very fond of sandwiches' child ( :-))) so I'm always looking for new ideas too.
Today she has gone with: A pizza bread roll (cheese and bacon buns on this site with pizza sauce instead of egg wash and pizza topper (herbs) on top), a shaped hard boiled egg, milo yoghurt (made in TM), grapes and a mini (yoghurt and raspberry) muffin.

other things I have in the freezer for her (and DH's) lunchboxes are: choc custard, scrolls (sweet and savoury), pizza, muffins of many shapes, sizes and flavours(!!), mini bacon and egg quiches, cookies, zucchini slice, bread rolls, and a muesli slice (that she doesn't like ...  :-\ !!

Tuesday is my 'cooking for lunchboxes' day, will be going thru later to decide what to do tomorrow!! [I love my TM!!]

Agree with Hally about the freezer... and packing the lunchbox with frozen goods! All seems to stay nice and is still accepted at lunch time (by 1 small girl who would rather starve than eat something she thought looked 'gross' !!)
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: mcmich on February 21, 2012, 08:06:51 am
Made D.G. baked bean bread cases today. No wonder you won a prize.
I don't have school aged children although they make great morning tea treats
and I am taking a batch into work tomorrow.
Next time I will try a flavoured baked bean such as ham.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: judydawn on February 28, 2012, 10:36:38 am
We loved these too DG, not just for the kidlets - I'd serve these at any party with fingerfood.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: obbie on February 29, 2012, 02:34:39 am
DG what a great idea, I'll make some tonight for lunches tomorrow.

Robyn
Title: Re: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: snappy on February 17, 2013, 08:42:11 am
I just made DGs baked bean cases and it has been a complete disaster.  The egg mixture overflowed the cases and I couldn't get the pies out of the tin without ripping the bottoms and then having baked beans leak everywhere!

Devastated as it was the last of my bread and these were going to be for school lunches tomorrow - now I have nothing so will have to do a late night dash to the supermarket for some bread.

So here's a tip to anyone else making them - I used less than 3/4 of the tin of baked beans and similar with the eggs - and it was still way too much filling.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: astarra on February 18, 2013, 12:22:13 am
I made these for a quick tea last night and they were perfect.  ;D
Not sure why yours went wrong snappy  ???

Anyone got any more back to school lunchbox ideas this year?
Miss6 has so far had the usual scrolls, bread rolls, sandwiches, zucchini slice/mini quiches, bacon and egg mini pies, muffins, cheesecakes, etc
Am going to do an apple and raspberry slice today, have alot of recipes I want to try to convert, also want to try Unis filled buns... I love lunchbox ideas...!!  :D
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: mcmich on February 18, 2013, 06:14:15 am
Have you tried the popcorn bars  (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3244.0) astarra? They seem very popular. I found when I made them they went soft quite quickly though.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: classmyth on August 17, 2013, 01:29:02 am
Hi everyone,
I'm in need of a bit of inspiration. I need to pack lunchboxes for my 13month old and nearly-4 year old for childcare.
The centre has a no-nut policy, but also will not reheat any chicken, rice or egg-based foods, and also has a healthy eating policy to discourage any unhealthy foods, so cake etc is not permitted. I've sent muffins before without being reprimanded (lol!).

My eldest is very fussy and will not eat fruit, or really anything that isn't a sandwich or packaged processed foods. I'm battling to come up with enough foods to send that are healthy, fit within the centre's rules, and that he will actually EAT lol!!!!!

Our 13 month old is a very flexible eater, and eats most things, but we can't send choking hazard type foods for him like carrots etc or things that require teeth!

We are both working long hours, and can't set aside a whole day to cook many different or complex items, so I'm after some quick and simple ideas!
This is a tall order I know, but any suggestions would be most appreciated!
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: Bootobethin on August 17, 2013, 03:02:21 am
Classmyth your Pumpkin Muffins would be really good and you can freeze them.
Bacon and egg pie is also good as it can be eaten cold.
I make it by using the short pastry in EDC and filling it with gently browned bacon and spinach cut small after cooking and then gently beating 8 eggs and pouring over the bacon and spinach and baking for about 30 minutes until cooked.
Home made sushi is also good.
Small containers of homemade fried rice is nice especially if they are reheated.
cold home made small pastys are also good.
Good luck it's not easy.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: Thermesa on August 17, 2013, 10:50:18 pm
Ooh I don't like the reheating restrictions. My 21 month old has a chicken curry mixed with rice most days. I would struggle of they rejected it.

My 5 year old takes morning tea to school (fruit, cheese and savory biscuit, yogurt). They have basic sandwiches provided for lunch and fruit at after school care.

The 21 month old takes fruit to share for morning tea. They provide afternoon tea. Sometimes garlic bread yogurt rice crackers. Cheese etc

Lunch I now send bolognese with spaghetti, risotto, corn and bacon muffins, cheese sandwich, yogurt, jelly, meatballs, sausage and mash, soup. I find he eats foods for school that he won't eat for mum. If the other kids are eating it, he wants it too.

Not many specific ideas but hope that is helpful. Sometimes I think I'm the one who wants variety but are kids are happy with boring.
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: snappy on August 18, 2013, 04:26:45 am
Classmyth our centre doesn't heat any food sent from home either and also has a "nut free".

If Mr 4 is happy with sandwhiches just send those and vary the fillings - you could also try wraps for a bit of variety but if he is happy eating sandwiches, just go with the flow.  My eldest is the same, he has a sandwich EVERYday 😏.  Will your DS eat some of the scroll recipes - cheesymite or cheese and bacon scrolls from this forum?

My youngest loves hot lunches so I bought him a big thermos bowl and it keeps the food hot until lunch (11am).  His favorites are baked beans, spaghetti with ham, cherry tomatoes and broccoli, banana porridge, fried rice (QFITT) and Amy's quiches from this forum.  He has wraps as well.

DS 6 doesn't eat much fruit so he has a banana most days or a small serve of two fruits.  DS3 will have 2 pieces of fruit.  They both have a yoghurt (frozen so it keeps cold), sometimes they will have a cheese stick, other times crackers with dip.

I try and work on the following basis:
Morning tea - fruit (whatever they eat) and yoghurt /cheese stick
Lunch - sandwich or thermos lunch
Afternoon tea - rice crackers / home made muffin / muesli slice  / plus some dried fruit (sultanas, apricots, banana chips etc)

Muffins, cookies, muesli slice etc all freeze fine - I make something on the weekend and freeze them in individual portions, then in the morning it is just grab something from the freezer.  I buy the squeeze yogurts and cheese sticks so in the morning all I really have to worry about is making the sandwich or reheating something for DS3.  If you are really keen, make all your elder DS's sandwiches with beautiful fresh bread on Sunday and then put them in the freezer as well. 

Most of all, I've found out that kids are not after as much variety as adults - if he is happy eating a sandwich each day, don't stress about trying to come up with something different, just give him the sandwich.  If you have a thermos, you could also just make extra dinner and send that in for the younger DS.

Good luck, it's quite a roller coaster!
Title: Re: Back to school lunchbox ideas
Post by: astarra on August 18, 2013, 07:06:09 am
My DDs'  school is also nut-free and doesn't heat food, but I invested in good quality thermos brand food flasks and heat the flask before putting their hot food into it - still nice and hot (sometimes too hot I get informed) at lunch time.
Doing this has made the variety of food I can send a whole lot broader!!
- Leftover dinner
- Spaghetti and meatballs
- cocktail franks
- soups
- casseroles/stews
- mornays
- pasta bakes
etc etc etc  :D

Also can you vary the filling in his sandwiches?  :)
Good luck.....I'm sure your children won't starve!!  ;D