~The Brown Bag Thread~ Recipes Tips N Tricks

[mommy2mercedes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samantharae I didn't even think of hero sandwishes.. THANKS And I love all the muffin ideas, I've made the corn-dogs before. and ate them all up... Does anyone have any tried and true cold pasta recipes for kids?

Pasta salads are pretty easy cause you can easily customize to your child...



girls like bow ties
boys tend to like the wagon wheels


You can toss them really w/whatever kind of dressing your child likes(italian and the kids classic standard of ranch work fine too)....then just mix and veggies n meat cubes they like.

dd likes thawed frozen peas,likes the julienned carrots,she likes the cubed cheese(I just cut the cubes in 1/2 to make em go further)and she likes pepperoni chucks,salami n ham.

[mommy2mercedes]

that got me thinkin to.....

sometimes I will make ramen noodles.....boil the noodles,drain and then toss the noodles in some butter w/the seasoning sauce w/frozen peas....dd like this the next day cold also and it's certainly cheap

[mommy2mercedes]

This is good for kids or adults.....and this is one where a good focacchia can pay off.....

Italian bread or focaccia
2 Tbs butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp minced garlic
4 oz deli hard salami
4 green bell pepper rings
4 tomato slices
2 large red onion slices, separated into rings
6 slices provolone

Slice bread in half horizontally. Heat oven to 350

mix butter, Italian seasoning and garlic in small bowl. Spread mixture on one cut-side of bread shell.

Layer with salami, green pepper, tomato, onion and cheese.

Top with remaining half of bread shell.

Wrap sandwich in aluminum foil. Place onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake 15-20 min,til heated through and cheese is melted. Cut into 4 wedges.

Good warm also or just wrap in foil when cooled and refrig for next day.

[VibrantBlueDaisy]

Such wonderful ideas! Thank you for sharing!

[IcStarrs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommy2mercedes Pasta salads are pretty easy cause you can easily customize to your child... girls like bow ties boys tend to like the wagon wheels You can toss them really w/whatever kind of dressing your child likes(italian and the kids classic standard of ranch work fine too)....then just mix and veggies n meat cubes they like. dd likes thawed frozen peas,likes the julienned carrots,she likes the cubed cheese(I just cut the cubes in 1/2 to make em go further)and she likes pepperoni chucks,salami n ham.

Thank you! I have never made pasta salad except from a box (and it was gross)... I'm gonna try to make some tomorrow (for my mom's bday)..

[6-paq]

Oh my gosh M2M!!! What a great list!!!

You'd think after 12+ years of packing lunches, I would have some great ideas to add, but alas, no... (hanging my head in shame)

One of my DDs loves wraps, but I'll have to try some of those muffins for my pickier DD. Maybe the pasta salad too!

I have found that when, out of frustration, I have the kids make their own lunches, they seem to eat more of it. We'll have to make some of those recipes together.

Thx!!

[nettie2076]

OMG! you ladies have teh best ideas. No wonder my kids never wanted to take the lunches I packed for them. they were nothing like these lunches. Now that the kids are grown, I came here looking for some ideas for Dha and ahve found some pretty good ideas. thanks ladies!

[mommy2mercedes]

One thing most kids who like to BUY do~is read the school menu........

Nothing like the look on their face when they announce its "PIZZA DAY"

Make your own menu...

but your's can be easier(especially w/liitle kids)

Just mark it for themes

PIZZA DAY(MAKE PITA PIZZAS)
PASTA DAY(MAC N CHEESE IN THE OLE THERMOS)
DIPPIN DAY(CHICKEN NUGGETS W/BBQ DIP~VEGGIES W/DIP ETC)
WRAP DAY(MAKE A SANDWICH AND A DESSERT IN A TORTILLA)
MUFFIN DAY(MAKE SWEET N SAVORY MUFFINS)

You get the idea.....but you can also do a "pack your own lunch"day...even the littles kids will eat anything if they get to make it themselves.

[mommy2mercedes]

If you have one of those sandwich makers(ya know...the ones that make the triangles and seal the edges)

My brothers kids love to take grilled cheese,pizza sandwiches,and even pb&j that have been cooked in there.

[mommy2mercedes]

6 c rice cereal squares
4 c small cheddar cheese crackers
2 c small pretzels
2 c mixed nuts
1/2 c butter -- melted
1 Tbs worcestershire sauce
1 pkg nacho cheese sauce mix
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 150
In shallow baking pan, combine first four ingredients.

Mix remaining ingredients. Drizzle butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring well.

Bake 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Spread on waxed paper to cool.
Store in airtight container.