Monday 29 May 2017

"Nude Food" lunchboxes

Does a sandwich stay fresh without cling wrap?

If you ever asked that question, the answer is YES! It does. I haven't used cling wrap on my sandwiches for the last 7 years, and they have always stayed fresh until lunch time. I've never had the filling fall out either. The trick is to find a sandwich box that will keep everything secure.

Below are a range of different sandwich and lunch boxes that either I have used, or I see TMPS students using. Choose something that fits in with your lunch style.
 
1. I saw this set at Big W. You could put a sandwich (no clingwrap!) in the big one, yoghurt in one of the small ones, fill the other small one with grapes or other fruit and away you go! Don't forget to include a small freezer pack to keep the yoghurt cold.
 
 
 
 
2. I have seen this Sistema lunch box a few times at school and am inpressed by its compartments. You can easily hold a sandwich in one section and separate fruit and muffins or biscuits in another section. I know these are also at Big W or anywhere that sells Sistema.
 
 
 
 
 3. Check out this Yoghurt Mover I found on smashenterprises.com.au! You put the inner section in the freezer over night and then add your yoghurt in the morning. The yoghurt will stay nice and cold - especially during the summer months!
 
 
 
4. Smash Enterprises also do a great lunch box that can fit everything. For more ideas on using Smash products visit http://www.smashenterprises.com.au/nude-food-movers/ to watch a quick video. Smash products can be found at Big W, Officeworks, Coles and online through the smash website.
 

Saturday 20 May 2017

Apple and Spice Biscuits

I tried out a new recipe this weekend. As I was pouring rice bubbles into a Tupperware container I noticed this recipe on the back of the pack. My 2 and a half year old and I made them together and she managed to lick more of the mixture than I would have liked, but it was fun. There's nothing better than teaching your kids new skills like cooking, in the hope that they will be able to cook for you one day. This was quick, easy and very tasty. They also made plenty of cookies!


 
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup margarine (I used butter)
1/4 cup apple puree ( 1 apple peeled, cored and cooked in a little bit of water will do)
1/4 cup honey
2 egg whites, beaten lightly
2 1/2 cups self raising flour
3 cups rice bubbles crushed to 1 cup (this was the fun part!)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (to your taste - 2 tsp was a little too strong for me)
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
 
Method
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
2. Beat sugar and butter in a small bowl with an electric mixer until combined and light in colour; transfer to a large bowl. Stir in apple puree, honey and egg whites (the mixture will appear curdled at this stage). Stir in combined rice bubbles, flour and spices; mix until well combined. Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls; place 5cm apart on lightly greased oven trays. Press down lightly with a fork (or your fingers as my daughter did).
3. Bake in oven for about 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks and store in an airtight container.

Happy baking!

Saturday 6 May 2017

Easy Banana Cake

I was at a 4 year old birthday party recently and this was the birthday cake. It was so delicious I had to ask for the recipe. My friend made it with a few minor adjustments such as halving the sugar and using some honey instead, but whether you make it as it's listed here or make your own adjustments, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Recipe found on http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/easy-banana-cake/3e88aa70-df01-411e-9f27-b25bf850d6eb

Ingredients

1 cup self-raising flour
1 cup caster sugar
50g butter, melted
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/4 cup (60ml) milk
1/2 cup mashed banana

Method

Step 1. Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan-forced. Spray a 7cm-deep, 10 x 20cm (base measurement) loaf pan with oil. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending 3cm above rim.                
 
Step 2. Sift flour into a large bowl. Stir in sugar. Make a well in the centre. Add butter, egg, vanilla, milk and banana. Stir until just combined.                
 
Step 3. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into centre comes out clean. Set aside in pan for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Serve warm or transfer to wire rack to cool completely.