We have often heard that breakfast is the most important meal. However, in the real world, we frequently skip breakfast due to higher commute times and compensate for the time lost by rising late. Skipping breakfast usually leads to overcompensating for dinner, leading to an unhealthy lifestyle. Hence, a healthy and balanced lunch can compensate for the nutrition deficiency, re-energize the body, and increase blood sugar levels. This helps students to focus on their studies and stay energetic throughout the day for other extracurricular activities. Healthy lunchtime helps students reset, relax, and re-energize for the day ahead.
In this article, let us explore some power-packed vegetable recipe ideas for great, easy lunches that help students stay active.
Table of Contents
1. Chickpea Salad
This salad is a delicious combination of fresh fruits and vegetables as a vegetarian lunch idea.
Steps to prepare:
- Dice cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes in a bowl.
- You can add some finely chopped leafy vegetables according to taste.
- Add boiled chickpeas to the bowl in appropriate amounts.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss the mixture lightly.
2. Potato sandwich
This sandwich is a filling meal that will help your younger one navigate through the day.
Steps to prepare:
- Quarter 4 washed and peeled potatoes in a bowl and wash them properly.
- Boil them in a pressure cooker for 8-9 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, add the following ingredients:
– ½ a teaspoon grated ginger.
– 1 chopped green chilli.
– 1 tablespoon chopped coriander.
– ½ teaspoon red chili powder.
– ¼ teaspoon salt.
– 1/8th teaspoon turmeric powder
– 1/4th teaspoon garam masala.
– ½ teaspoon coriander powder.
- Pour desi ghee over these ingredients and mix them well.
- Mash the boiled potatoes and mix them well with other ingredients.
- Add butter to two slices of bread and apply the potato mixture to both slices.
- Heat a sandwich grill. Apply ghee to both sides of the pan.
- Place the prepared sandwich in the pan and grill for 3-4 minutes until crisp.
- After grilling, cut the sandwich into desired shapes, and you are ready to go.
3. Peas Pulao
A traditional rice dish from the Northern parts of India, it is easy to make and provides wholesome nutrition for our little ones. It is a lovely Indian dish for lunch.
Steps to prepare:
- Take an inch of Cinnamon, 4 green cardamoms, 4 cloves, ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, 1 piece star anise, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, and 10 black peppercorns. Roast them in a pan on slow flame and grind them when cool.
- Heat oil and a small amount of ghee in a pressure cooker. Add ½ inch of cinnamon, 2 green cardamoms, 1 star anise, and 2 bay leaves, and let them sizzle.
- Add onions and green chilies and saute till they turn golden.
- Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute.
- Add peas, some cashew nuts, and raisins and mix well.
- Add soaked rice, some water, and coconut milk and bring it to a boil. Cover the lid and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Let the steam escape, and the delicious pulao will be ready to serve.
4. Spinach Corn and Cheese Sandwich
As a healthy lunch idea, this provides complete nutritional requirements for our children
Steps to prepare:
- Heat some oil and add corn and spinach. Saute these for 5 minutes.
- Now add some butter; when it starts melting, add some flour and mix it well.
- Now add some milk and toss the mixture well.
- Sprinkle a little chili flakes, oregano, and salt. Mix well.
- Take two slices of bread and apply some butter on both slices.
- Now apply the prepared filling on both the slices and grate some cottage cheese on both the portions.
- Heat a sandwich grill and apply some oil on both sides.
- Grill the sandwich until it is golden.
5. Vegetable Wraps
Easy to prepare and easy to consume, this is a delicious option that children love.
Steps to prepare:
- Heat some oil in a pan and crackle some cumin seeds.
- Add spring onions and sauté for a minute. Add ginger garlic paste and cook for a minute more.
- Add the mixed vegetables and cook for 5-6 minutes. Add some chili powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala. Cook for a few minutes and add ketchup once the mixture cools down.
- Take a roti, spoon the prepared filling, and roll it in a silver foil.
- Your delicious roll is ready to serve.
6. Poha
One of the most popular beg recipes that is easy to make and filling at the same time
Steps to prepare:
- Soak some Poha in water for 30 seconds. Now, drain the water out.
- Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of salt and sugar and mix well. Keep the mixture aside.
- Roast some raw peanuts in some oil and keep them aside.
- Now, in the same pan, crackle some mustard seeds. Once they crackle, add asafoetida, cumin seeds, and curry leaves. Give these a quick stir.
- Now add some onions and sauté for a minute.
- Add potatoes, peas, some salt, and turmeric powder.
- Cover the pan and cook on medium heat until soft.
- Now add the poha and mix well.
- Cover the lid and steam the mix for 2-3 minutes.
- Optionally add some lemon juice and coriander leaves.
7. Apple And Peanut Butter Sandwich
Super simple and tasty, this sandwich is great for quick lunches.
Steps to prepare:
- Quarter, core, and thinly slice the apples.
- Take a slice of bread and spread some peanut butter on it.
- Arrange apple slices on the bread and place the other slice on it.
- Cut the sandwich in half.
Your delicious and nutritious sandwich is ready to go.
8. Bread Upma
This easy lunch recipe is extremely delicious and a creative way to use leftover bread. It is also healthy and a perfect accompaniment for lunch boxes.
Steps to prepare:
- Cube the bread into small squares.
- Heat some oil in a pan and crackle some mustard and cumin seeds.
- Add green chili, curry leaves, and julienned ginger once these crackles.
- Add onions and sauté till these are translucent.
- Mix peas and diced bell peppers.
- Cover and cook for 2 minutes until the vegetables are cooked. Cook as per the required texture (soft or crunchy)
- Add coriander stems and tomatoes. Sauté for a couple of minutes.
- Add powdered spices like red chili, salt, sugar, and some garam masala.
- Cook until the mixture is almost dry.
- Mix the bread pieces in the masala and toss until each piece is coated evenly.
9. Gram flour pancakes
This is a gluten-free protein-packed lunch option and a superb Indian dinner idea that is super easy to make.
Steps to prepare:
- Add sifted gram flour, turmeric powder, red chili powder, asafoetida, salt, and carom seeds in a mixing bowl.
- Add water in small batches until the semi-viscous mixture is ready.
- Add diced vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and julienned ginger.
- Spread some oil on a flat iron pan, add a ladleful of batter, and cook on medium heat. Add some oil on top. Repeat the same on the other side.
- The pancake is ready Once you see golden brown spots on both sides.
10. Vermicelli Upma
Although predominantly from the south, this veg recipe is relished all over India.
Steps to prepare:
- Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
- After the mustard seeds splutter, add cumin seeds and curry leaves, and sauté for a minute.
- Add onions and sauté till translucent.
- Add finely chopped ginger and green chill and mix well.
- Add diced vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and tomatoes, as well as powdered spices like salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and a little garam masala.
- Add roasted vermicelli and 2 cups of water.
- Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes.
- Release the steam and add two drops of lemon juice.
- Mix up the upma with a fork.
At Pragyanam, a well-renowned CBSE School in Gurgaon, the child’s overall development is given due importance. Nutritious meals are an important aspect of the child’s daily care. With a menu designed by a qualified nutritionist and food prepared in-house, you can rest assured that the child is in good hands.
Here’s to raising a healthy generation!
