Children Lunch Box Idea 13 - Potato Fried Rice

Potato fried rice is one of the easiest rice recipe. As soon as we think we can prepare it. The only thing is green peas should be in hand. This rice is a nutritious kids lunch box that they love it very much. 

Children Lunch Box Idea - 13

Click the Link Below for Step by Step Pictures of making the Dish with Clear Procedure 

• Potato Fried Rice
• Curd Rice with Pomegranate
• Snacks: Papaya

Potato Fried Rice

Those who are bored of having vegetable fried rice, can go for a light masala based potato fried rice. The addition of green peas gives an extra flavour to the fried rice. 

Ingredients:

1. Potato - 1 
2. Green peas - 1/2 cup
3. Onion -1
4. Bay leaf - 1 
5. Clove -1 
6. Cinnamon - 1/4 inch
7. Staranise - 1
8. Cardamom -1 
9. Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
10. Dhania Powder - 1 tsp
11. Jeera Powder - 1/2 tsp
12. Garam Masala Powder - 1 tsp

Cooking Method:

• In a Pan add Oil followed by bay leaf, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, star anise.
• Then add Onion and saute until it is cooked.
• Add Ginger Garlic paste. Saute it some more time.
• Now add Potatoes and green peas. Saute for 2 mins.
• Add Red chilli, Dhania Powder, Jeera Powder, Garam Masala Powders.
• Sprinkle some water. let the vegetables cook for some time.
• After it is cooked well, add the cooked rice and mix everything well.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.

Click the Image and zoom you will get clear stepwise pictures

Now a tasty Potato fried rice is now ready for kids ... Enjoy with Onion Raita !!

Rajma / Kidney Beans Pulao Recipe

Rajma or kidney beans is a legume which is a good source of protein, fibre and vitamins-minerals. Rajma Pulao is one of the Protein rich healthier rice dish for children. Combining the red kidney beans along with rice and spices makes this pulao wholesome and nutritious. I like kidney beans which is done in any form, so I like this Rajma Pulao very much. Its a different Pulao recipe compared to other Pulao dishes. Let's see how to do.

Ingredients:

1. Basmati Rice - 1 Cup
2. Rajma / Kidney Beans - 1/4 cup
3. Onion - 1 large
4. Tomato - 1 medium size
5. Green Chilli - 1
6. Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
7. Coriander Powder - 2 tsp
8. Red Chilli Powder - 2 tsp
9. Garam Masala Powder - 1 tsp
10. Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
11. Bay leaf - 1
12. star anise -1 
13. Cardamom - 1
14. Cinnamon stick - 1 small
15. Clove -1 
16. Coriander leaves
17. Cooking Oil - 2 tbsp
18. Salt as per taste

Cooking Method:

Soak Rajma for about 8 hours overnight. Cook the rajma for about 8 to 10 whistles. Cooking time vary on type of Kidney beans. (I missed to click the cooking of Rajma)

• In a pressure pan add oil, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, star anise. 
• Then add onions, green chilli and ginger garlic paste one by one. 
• After a while add tomatoes and saute till it becomes soft.
• Now add the red chilli, coriander and garam masala powder, Turmeric Powder along with cooked rajma. 
• Saute everything well for some time till all the masala powders are coated well with rajma.

Click the Image and zoom you will get clear stepwise pictures

• Now add the Basmati Rice and mix well with Rajma and Masala. 
• Add coriander leaves and salt mix well. 
• Add 2 cups of water, close the lid and wait for 2 whistles. 
• Open the lid and fluff it softly with fork and serve hot with Onion Raita.

The aroma of this Rajma Pulao pulls us to taste the Pulao Immediately. 

Soya Chunks Dal Rice Recipe

Soya dal rice is our families favourite dish. Whenever I don't have any veggies in our home, my choice is soya dal rice only. Its very easy and can be done quickly. Coconut chutney and mixed green chutney are best side dish for this soya dal rice.

Ingredients:

1. Cooking Rice - 1 Cup
2. Toor Dal - 1/4 cup 
3. Small Soya Chunks - 1 cup
4. Shallots - 10 numbers
5. Tomato - 1
6. Green Chilli - 2 to 3 nos
7. Garlic pods - 4 nos
8. Mustard - 1/8 tsp
9. Jeera/cumin - 2 tsp
10. Sambar powder - 2 tsp 
11. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
12. Curry leaves - 1 sprig
13. Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp
14. Cooking Oil - 2 tbsp
15. Coconut Oil - 1 tbsp
16. Salt as per taste

Cooking Method:

Be ready with the Ingredients. Soak rice and dal together for half an hour.

• Take a pressure pan add oil followed by mustard seeds. Let it splutters. 
• Then add shallots, cumin, green chilli, garlic and curry leaves. 
• After a while add tomatoes and saute till it becomes soft. 
• Now add sambar powder and turmeric powder. 
• Saute it for some seconds. 
• Finally add soya chunks and saute till all the ingredients mix well along with soya. 
• Add 3 cups of water or according to your rice add enough water and salt. Close the lid of the pressure pan loosely. 
• Let the bubbles come. 
• Now add the soaked rice and dal mix well with the laddle and finally close the lid. 
• Wait for 3 whistles and simmer for 5 mins. After pressure leaves fluff the rice softly with spoon. Season with 1 tbsp of coconut oil and serve hot.

Click the Image and zoom you will get clear stepwise pictures

Notes:
Sambar powder can be replaced by red chilli powder and coriander powder.

Apple Fried Rice - Kids friendly Recipe

Bored of Usual Veggie fried Rice .... ??? Here is a little twisted Vegetable fried Rice recipe ... Try it Out friends :)

Apple fried rice is Vyshu's favourite in her lunchbox menu. This fried rice is healthy too since we have included Bell Peppers, cashews and raisins. This recipe is somewhat different to normal veggie fried rice. This fried rice recipe  is hot and sweet mixing of ingredients and the sweetness is more dominant here. So kids love it very much. It will be yummy when had with my favourite Crispy Potato Wedges recipe. Let's see how to do ...

Ingredients:

1. Cooked Basmati Rice - 1 Cup
2. Apple - 1/2 
3. Capsicum / Bell Peppers - 2 tbsp chopped legthwise
4. Big Onion - 2 tbsp chopped
5. Spring onion white part - 2 tsp finely chopped
6. Spring onion green part - 1 tsp finely chopped
7. Garlic paste - 1 tsp
8. Soya Sauce - 1/8 tsp
9. Pepper Powder - 1 tsp
10. Cashew nuts - 1 tbsp
11. Raisins - 1 tbsp
12. Olive Oil - 1 tbsp
13. Salt as per taste

Cooking Method:

Be ready with the Ingredients. This pic does not represent the actual measurings and Ingredients for fried rice. 

Chop the Onion, Bell Peppers and Apple. Be ready with the Cooked Rice.

• In a Cooking pan add little oil and fry the cashews and raisins. 
• Transfer it to a plate. 
• In the same pan add some more oil, onion, spring onion white part  and garlic paste. Saute it for a minute. 
• Then add the capsicum and saute it for some seconds. 
• Add soya sauce and then cubed apples. Give a quick saute for about 5 secs. (The apples must not get cooked. It should be crunchy).
• Immediately add the cooked rice, pepper powder and salt. Saute it for few seconds.
• Finally add the cashews and raisins and mix everything with along with the rice quickly. 
• Switch off the flame. Garnish with spring Onions green part and serve hot.

Click the Image and zoom you will get clear stepwise pictures

You can have this fried rice along with Crispy Potato Wedges or any Hot n Spicy Chips of your choice. This is a lovely, tasty and colourful lunch box recipe for kids.

Notes:

• Overcooking of apples turns mushy. So be careful while sauting. 
• You can increase the quantity of apples, capsicum and nuts according to your taste.
• You can even add finely chopped garlic instead of garlic paste.
• You can add Bell Peppers of different colours, so that kids love eating the fried rice and complete the lunch box quickly. 

Brinjal Rice / Vaangi Baath Recipe

Brinjal Rice became favourite for me once when I was Working. One of my friend used to bring this vaangi bath for lunch and she share with all of us. I liked that rice very much and it became one of my recipes for lunch box those days. Though many of u have known this recipe very well, I wish to share my favourite spicy brinjal rice with u all. 

Ingredients:

1. Brinjal - 4 nos
2. Cooked Rice - 2 cups
3. Cooking Oil + Gingelly Oil - 4 tbsp
4. Tamarind - about 2 seed size
5. Jaggery - 1 tbsp
6. Salt as per taste

For Making Vaangi Baath Powder:

1. Channa Dhal - 1 tbsp
2. Urad dhal - 2 tsp
3. Fenugreek / Methi seeds - 1 tsp
4. Sesame seeds - 1 tsp
5. Coriander seeds - 2 tsp
6. Dried Red Chilli - 2 to 3
7. Grated Coconut - 1 tbsp

For Tempering:

1. Mustard - 1 tsp
2. Channa Dhal- 2 tsp
3. Urad Dhal - 2 tsp
4. Curry leaves - 2 sprig

Cooking Method:

Wash thoroughly all the brinjals and cut into pieces of your favourite shape. Soak Tamarind in little water for about 10 to 15 mins. Or you can use tamarind paste too.

Take frying pan add little Oil and other ingredients listed under "For Making Vaangi Baath Powder". Fry till slightly brown in very low flame. 

After it cools down add it to a mixer and grind it to a fine powder and keep it aside.

Click the Image and zoom you will get clear stepwise pictures

• In a Kadai add mustard followed by channa dal, urad dal, curry leaves. 
• Then add the Brinjals and fry in oil till it gets cooked. (It will be cooked soon in oil itself, no need to add water).
• After brinjals gets cooked add the tamarind juice and wait till it gets absorbed. 
• Add the Vaangi Baath Powder with some salt and saute for few seconds. Then add the jaggery and mix well.
• Now add the Cooked Rice along with little salt(remember already we have added salt) and saute till all the rice gets mixed well with the spice mix.

Now a tasty Brinjal Rice is ready and it goes well with any Vadams. I like to have it with Colour Vadams. You can prepare this for lunch box along with Rasam Rice or Curd Rice.

Notes:

• The spice powder can be adjusted according to your taste.
• The Vaangi Bath powder can be made in large quantity and can be stored for future use. 
• You can use basmati rice for doing this recipe.

Broccoli Green Peas Pulao

Broccoli is known to be healthy and tasty vegetable which is rich in dozens of nutrients. We can consume it in many ways. I have tried pulao in Broccoli with the combination of fresh green peas. It came out well and with good taste.

Ingredients:

• Cooking Rice - 2 cups(I used Ordinary Rice)
• Broccoli florets - 1 large cup
• Green Peas - 1 small cup
• Ginger - 1 tbsp
• Garlic - 2 pods
• Cinnamon stick - 1/4 inch
• Clove - 1
• Bay leaf - 1
• Cardamom - 1 no
• Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
• Fennel / Sombu - 1 tbsp
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Mint leaves fistful
• Coriander leaves fistful
• Salt as per taste
• Water according to your Rice type

Cooking Method:

Make a Whole Broccoli into florets. Put it in the hot water with salt for about 5 mins and wash again with clean water.

• Take a Pressure Cooker add oil, bay leaf, cardamom, clove and cinnamon stick and then add Onion fry till golden brown. 
• Meanwhile grind the spice mix. Add garlic, ginger, fennel, turmeric, mint and coriander in a mixer and grind until smooth paste and then add in the pressure cooker. 
• Saute until raw smell leaves. Now add green peas along with the spice and saute for some time.
• Add rice and stir well. Add enough water, stir well and close the lid for some time. 
• At this time rice will be half cooked and green peas too.

Click the Image and zoom you will get clear enlarged stepwise pictures

• Open the lid and now add Broccoli florets and stir everything smoothly and close the lid. Leave upto 1 whistle.
• The Broccoli should not be overcooked, as the nutrients in it will be lost and it will not be crunchy.
• Wait till the pressure leaves the cooker. 
• Open the lid and fluff it with the fork softly without disturbing the Broccoli florets. Transfer to another vessel and serve Hot.

It goes well with any type of Raita and Chips.

Notes:

If you wish Broccoli need not be cooked and be more crunchy, just cook the rice only with peas and immediately after the pressure leaves from the cooker add Broccoli florets and give a slight stir and close the lid for half an hour and serve. Now the Broccoli would have partially combined with the peas rice and gives you a nice flavour.

Coconut Milk Rice

Coconut Milk Rice is my elder mother-in-law's recipe. While she was in kerala she learned this recipe from keralites. It is one of the favourite recipes in my in-laws home. It goes well with any type of veg or non-veg kurma. 

Gravies for Coconut Milk Rice:

1. Aachi Mess Vegetable White Kurma
2. Egg Kurma
3. Mutton Kulambu
4. Nattu kozhi Kuzhambu / Country Chicken Gravy - Easy Version

Ingredients: 

• Rice - 2 cups
• Coconut - 1/2 
• Onion - 1 medium size
• Red chillies - 4
• Bay leaf -1
• Cinnamon - 1/4 inch
• Clove - 2 nos
• Cardamom - 1
• Ghee - 2 tbsp
• Water as needed

Method:

Take a fresh Coconut and grate half unit of it. 

        

        Click the Image and zoom you will get clear stepwise pictures

Transfer the grated coconut to a blender and grind it. Add water and grind again to get a fine consistency. Extract milk as shown below. Measure and add some water to it. for 2 cups of rice 4 cups of milk is needed. Keep the milk in a seperate container.

In a pressure cooker add ghee and consecutively add Onion, red chillies, Ginger Garlic paste and the spices. Saute it and add the correct measurement of coconut milk and finally add Salt. The milk gets boiled and at this stage add the rice, check for salt and close the cooker with a lid. After 3 whistles switch off the stove and wait for the pressure to get released.

Now open the lid and in a frying pan fry the cashews in a ghee to golden brown and add to the cooked rice. Mix well with a spatula. 

Now a delicious Coconut milk rice is ready for lunch in my home. Now We are going to have this with Egg Kurma.