Lunchbox- Oat Bran-Applesauce Mini Muffins, 7-Grain Greek Salad, Whole-Wheat Wrap & Bulgur Salad, and Homemade Sausage Roll

The Lunchbox has been missing for a couple of weeks! We have had so many great meal leftovers that I really haven't had to make too many additional salads or baked goods to fill lunches. But, this week, I got back to business, making a couple of salads, muffins, and wraps that are lunchbox friendly. The Oat Bran muffins are very hearty and healthy, with no added sugar or fat. A perfect nutritional boost for the middle of the day. The 7-Grain Salad uses one of my fave seasonings, Greek. The veggies and beans add great texture and the Kashi Pilaf is really good. The bulgur salad and wrap were a nice combo and the Homemade Sausage Roll was one of my son's favorite items. He loves sausage and so do I, when it is turkey sausage, because I know it is a little bit healthier. If your lunchbox needs a healthy makeover, here are some great recipes to try!

Oat Bran-Applesauce Mini Muffins from Martha Stewart

Makes 2 dozen

Vegetable-oil cooking spray

2 cups unsweetened applesauce

2 ounces dates, pitted and chopped (1/2 cup)

1 cup wheat bran

1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk

1 large egg

2 tablespoons honey

3/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon old-fashioned oats

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat 2 mini-muffin tins with cooking spray. Place applesauce and dates in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture is reduced to 1 1/4 cups, 15 to 20 minutes. Spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and let cool completely.

Transfer to a large bowl, and stir in bran, buttermilk, egg, honey, ginger, and vanilla. Let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, flaxseed, baking soda, salt, allspice, and 1/4 cup oats. Stir into bran mixture. Spoon batter into prepared tins, filling to the brims. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon oats over muffins.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into center of 1 comes out clean, 21 to 23 minutes. Let cool completely in pans on wire racks. (Muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days

7-Grain Greek Salad by Mary Ann

1 pkg. Kashi 7 Whole Grain Pilaf, cooked according to pkg. directions

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 or 3 tomatoes, chopped

1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

juice of 1/2 lemon

2 Tbls olive oil

1-2 Tbls greek seasoning

When Kashi Pilaf is cool, place in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Season with additional greek seasoning, to taste. Refrigerate and serve cold.

Whole-Wheat Wrap and Bulgur Wheat Salad from myrecipes.com

1/4 cup bulgur wheat

1/4 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed

1 scallion, chopped

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 whole-wheat wrap

1/2 cup packaged salad greens

1/4 cup sliced red bell pepper

1/4 cup shredded carrot

1/2 cup grated mozzarella

Cook the bulgur according to the package directions, transfer to a bowl, and let cool. Add the edamame, scallion, oil, lemon juice, and pepper. Toss and transfer to a plate. Meanwhile, fill the wrap half with the greens, bell pepper, carrot, and mozzarella. Roll up and serve with Bulgur Wheat Salad.

Homemade Sausage Roll by Mary Ann

1 pkg. reduced fat, refrigerated cresent roll dough

1-2 links sweet lean italian turkey sausage, such as Jenny-O

poppy seeds

Remove the casings from the sausage and cook in a skillet, crumbling as it cooks. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll cresent dough onto a cooking sheet, but do not divide it into triangles. Keep it together, by pressing the perferations in the dough, together with your fingers. You should have a large triangle. Spread the cook sausage down the center of the dough, and bring one side of the dough over the top of the sausage, covering it completely, and close the dough by pressing it together. You should have a large roll, with open ends. Sprinkle poppy seeds onto the top of the roll and press them gently into the dough.

Bake for 11-15 minutes, until the cresent dough is cooked through.

Coming Tuesday- Tuesday's with Dorie- Grandma's All-Occasion Sugar Cookies

Weekly Lunchbox-Blueberry Bites, Butterballs, Breadstick Mummy Dogs, Ham and Cheese Roll-ups, and Tuna-Garbanzo Salad

Welcome to another edition of our Weekly Lunchbox. We took last week off because the kids had a couple of 4 day weekends, but now we are back in business. First up are Blueberry Bites. The recipe for these cookies came in a little insert to a magazine and they looked perfect for the lunchbox. I filled some with strawberry jam, but I had leftover Raspberry Cream in the fridge from some cookies a little while ago so I used some of that as filling too. Since I was making cookies anyway, I got out the Butterballs that I didn't bake from a couple weeks ago and baked them up too. I used some of the ganache filling for both cookies and filled some of the butterballs with raspberry cream as well. Lots of choices for the lunchbox!
Next up were the Breadstick Mummy Dogs that I saw over at Picky Palate. I personally don't eat hot dogs, but my kids (and hubby) love them on occasion. I thought these were super cute and the leftovers made it to the lunchbox.
Then a simple tuna and garbanzo salad and some little roll-ups.
Enjoy!

Blueberry Bites by Gale Gand
1/2 cup unsalted butter, (1 stick) cut into pieces
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup strawberry jam
1 pint blueberries
1. Combine butter and brown sugar with hand-mixer or paddle attachment of stand mixer. Add salt, flours, and cornstarch, and mix just until dough comes together.
2. Using your hands, roll dough into a 1-inch thick log on a lightly floured surface. Cut off about 24 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.
3. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Place dough balls in nonstick mini-muffin tins. Bake until golden but not brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven.
4. While cookies are still hot, make a depression in the center of each by pressing a 1/2 teaspoon measure or the tip of a wooden spoon handle into the top. Lett cool in muffin tins, then carefully remove.
5. Fill depression with a small portion of the strawberry jam and fresh blueberries. Serve cookies the same day they are filled.

Breadstick Mummy Dogs adapted from Picky Palate
1 roll/pkg Pillsbury Breadstick dough (12 count)
12 hot dogs
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll all 12 breadsticks from package. Stretch breadstick out as long as you can get it to go and wrap around 1 hot dog starting from the top of the hot dog. Leave a small space towards the top of the hotdog to make mustard eyes. Continue wrapping all dogs then place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
2. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Use mustard or ketchup for the eyes.

Tuna-Garbanzo Salad by Mary Ann

1 6-oz can albacore tuna

1 15-oz can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

2 ribs celery, chopped

3-4 small tomatoes, chopped

a little less than 1/3 cup light balsamic vinagrette

dehydrated onion flakes

salt and pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well. Serve with crackers.

Ham and Cheese Roll-ups by Mary Ann

1 pkg. Pillsbury reduced fat cresent rolls

8 pieces of ham or other lunchmeat

8 thin slices of cheese

baby spinach leaves (optional)

mustard (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unroll cresent dough and separate into 8 sections. Squeeze a a small amount of mustard on the wide end of the dough. If using spinach, place a leaf or 2 over the mustard. Roll 1 piece of cheese up in the ham and place on top of the spinach. Roll the cresent up as you normally would and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until golden.

Coming Tomorrow- Enchiladas in Pumpkin Sauce and my mom's Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Weekly Lunchbox- Confetti Couscous Salad, Apple Smiles, Chicken Chunks on a Stick, and Carrot and Cucumber Salad

This week's lunchbox is mostly taken from Annabel Karmel's Lunch Boxes and Snacks. It is one of my favorite cookbooks to go to for lunches because of the variety and ease of the recipes. The couscous salad was really quick and I tripled it so we could have some too. I also added some celery to it. The Chicken Chunks on a stick, I also doubled and we had some for dinner and sent the leftovers in the lunchbox. The kids loved them! The Apple Smiles are based on a similar idea I saw over at Picky Palate, but Jenny's looked way cuter. These were also a big hit. My husband actually ate the most of those and I have made them multiple times as a snack. The carrot and cucumber salad was quick and easy and very delicious- Hope you enjoy!

Confetti Couscous Salad from Annabel Karmel

1/4 cup couscous

1/2 cup hot vegetable broth

2 Tbls diced red bell pepper

1/2 medium carrot, peeled and diced

2 scallions, sliced

1 Tbls raisins

1 1/2 Tbls pine nuts, toasted

dressing:

1 Tbls olive oil

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp honey

salt and pepper

Put the couscous into a bowl. Pour the broth over it and leave to stand for about 5 minutes.

Fluff up the couscous with a fork. Stir in the bell pepper, carrot, scallions, raisins and pine nuts.

Whisk together the dressing ingredients and stir into the couscous. Season to taste.

Chicken Chunks on a Stick from Annabel Karmel

2 Tbls soy sauce

1 heaping Tbls dark brown sugar

1 Tbls lime juice

1 1/2 tsp canola oil

1 small clove garlic, minced

2 small skinless, boneless chicken breasts , cut into chunks

Put the soy sauce and sugar into a small saucepan and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the lime juice, oil and garlic. Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Soak four bamboo skewers in water. Thread the chunks of chicken onto the skewers, place on a broiler pan lined with foil, brush with the marinade, and broil for 4-5 minutes on each side, basting with the marinade halfway through, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Carrot and Cucumber Salad From Annabel Karmel

1 large carrot, peeled

1/2 English cucumber or hothouse seedless cucumber

1-2 cups fresh bean sprouts

dressing:

1 Tbls toasted sesame seeds

1 Tbls soy sauce

1 Tbls rice wine vinegar

1 Tbls sunflower oil

1 Tbls honey

1 tsp mirin

1 tsp sesame oil

Using a swivel vegetable peeler, make thin strips of carrot and cucumber. (I just shredded them). Mix together the dressing ingredients and toss with the salad.

Apple Smiles

peanut butter

apple slices

mini marshmallows

Spread peanut butter on 2 apple slices. Put mini marshmallows on one apple slice and place other apple slice on top.

Coming Tomorrow- Barefoot Bloggers- Vegetable Pot Pie with Phyllo Crust

Weekly Lunchbox- Popcorn Squares, Stuffed Pitas with Tuna, Egg and Corn, Italian Lentil and Bulgur Salad, and Simple Chicken Parm Sandwiches

This week's lunchbox is super yummy! The Popcorn Squares were in Family Fun magazine and I decided to rework a granola recipe I made a few weeks ago so that we could have some homemade granola but also so I could use some in this recipe. It was a favorite. The Stuffed Pita is from a really cute Annabel Karmel cookbook called Lunch Boxes and Snacks. It has some of the best lunch ideas that I have seen. I doubled this recipe because it looked great and the rest of us were able to enjoy it too.

The Lentil Bulgur Salad is yummy and unexpected, because it has Italian Seasoning, I added some cooked chicken to the leftover and it made a great snack/lunch.

And last, the Simple Chicken Parm Sandwich. I doubled Prudy's Great Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns recipe and made them into minis, so I had great buns for sandwiches. I also had some leftover chicken, marinara and provolone, so I threw them all together. Delish!

Stuffed Pitas with Tuna, Egg and Corn adapted from Annabel Karmel's Lunchboxes and Snacks

2 eggs

1 6-oz can tuna, drained

1/2 cup corn

2 Tbls fat-free mayo

1 tsp white wine vinegar

4 scallions, chopped

salt and pepper

few drops of Tabasco sauce ( I used 3 drops)

alfalfa sprouts

2 whole wheat pitas

Put the eggs in a saucepan of cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, 7-8 minutes. Drain and cool under cold water. Peel the eggs when cold.

Meanwhile, flake the tuna with a fork and mix with the corn, mayo, vinegar, scallions, salt, pepper, and Tabasco. Roughly chop the hard-boiled eggs and add the the tuna mix with the sprouts., stirring well.

Cut the pita breads in half to make four pita pockets and divide the mixture among them.

Italian Lentil-Bulgur Salad by Mary Ann

1 cup bulgur

2 Tbls fresh lemon juice

2 Tbls olive oil

1/2 English cucumber, halved and sliced

1 1/2 cup fresh green beans, blanched

1 1/2 cups brown lentils, cooked

2 Tbls fresh parsley, chopped

2 Tbls. Italian seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

2 small tomatoes, chopped

Boil 2 cups of water and pour over the bulgur, that is in a large bowl. Cover and let bulgur absorb water. When water is absorbed fluff bulgur with a fork. Add lemon juice and olive oil. Stir well. Add cucumber, green beans, lentils, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt and pepepr. Mix well and adjust seasoning to taste. Add tomatoes and stir gently to combine. Refrigerate.

Popcorn Squares from Family Fun Magazine
1/2 cup honey
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup homemade granola*
1 cup roasted and salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
3 cups plain popped popcorn

Step 1 Line an 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil. Heat the honey in a large saucepan until it boils, about 2 minutes. Add the peanut butter and stir until mixture is well blended.

Step 2 Remove the pan from the stove and stir in the granola, the peanuts, and the popcorn until everything is coated.

Step 3 Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Refrigerate the pan until the mixture is cool, about 30 minutes. (I refrigerated them over night and cut them in the morning).

Step 4 Cut the mixture into small squares . The treats will be a bit crumbly, so you may want to serve them in paper candy cups.

* Homemade Maple Peach Granola by Mary Ann

5 cups oats

heaping 1/3 cup wheat germ

heaping 1/3 cup flaxseed meal

1 1/4 cup macadamia, walnut, and pecan pieces

2/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/2 cup peach nectar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 T canola oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup raisins, or other dried fruit

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until well mixed. Spread on a large jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, or longer, until dry. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.


Simple Chicken Parm Sandwiches by Mary Ann
whole wheat mini buns (Thank you Prudy)
cooked chicken
marinara sauce
Provolove cheese slices

Spread marinara on both sides of the bun. Fill with shredded chicken, top with cheese. Pop in the microwave until cheese is melted and sammy is warm!

Weekly Lunchbox- Pumpkin Spice Choco-chip Cupcake Minis, Roasted Chicken-Artichoke Calzones, and Mini Egg Tarts

This week's lunch box is looking a little bit sparse, but we have had alot of leftovers that are making their way into lunch, so there wasn't as much room for all the new recipes I wanted to make.


The first thing is this simple little mini-cupcake. I read in Parents magazine a few years ago about a mom who mixed a chocolate cake mix with a can of pumpkin and made "healthy" cupcakes for her kids. I don't use cake mixes very often, mainly because I love the actual making of the cake, but this was a super quick cupcake that I came up with based on that same idea. I used a spice cake mix, because it already has all the flavor in it and added a can of pumpkin, an egg, and some milk. Mix in some chocolate chips and you have a pretty easy, fairly healthy snack that packs well in the lunchbox. Now mind you, I made these after school one day and had to hide some so that there would be a few left for lunch the next day.


The calzone is a Cooking Light recipe that I have made a bunch of times and it is always a hit. It reheats easily and tastes great the next day. If you are in a pinch, you can use marinated artichoke hearts instead, just drain them really, really well and omit the salt, pepper, and garlic.


The mini egg tarts came about because I had an extra pie crust in my fridge and wanted to do an easy egg dish. I made some without any crusts and adjusted the filling according to who was eating which ones. Super easy. We had some for breakfast and the rest went into lunches.


This week's lunchbox also had some awesome sliders that were leftover from dinner, but I am posting those couple of recipes separately. Get your creativity going and make a fun lunch!




Pumpkin Spice Choco-chip Cupcake Minis by Mary Ann
Makes 60 mini-cupcakes
1 spice cake mix
1 15-oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup milk (I used half whole and half skim)
1 egg
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips, in a large bowl and stir until thoroughly mixed. You don't want to have any gobs of dry cake mix in there. Add chocolate chips and stir just to mix in. Bake in mini-muffin tin filled with liners that are sprayed with cooking spray or in a silicone mini-muffin tin that is sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 10-12 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick (done when it comes out clean. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes and then remove from pan to cool on wire rack.
These could also be made into a normal size cupcake, just increase the cooking time accordingly.

Roasted Chicken-Artichoke Calzones from Cooking Light
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups thinly sliced fresh spinach leaves
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded sharp provolone cheese
1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast (about 5 ounces)
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons cornmeal
1 (13.8-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
Marinara sauce, for dipping

Preheat oven to 425°.
Pat artichokes dry with paper towels. Combine artichokes, salt, pepper, and garlic in a large bowl. Add spinach, cheese, and chicken; toss gently to combine.
Brush oil over a baking sheet; sprinkle with cornmeal. Unroll dough onto prepared baking sheet; cut into 6 equal portions. Cover and let rest 5 minutes. Pat each portion into a 6 x 5-inch rectangle. Spoon 2/3 cup spinach mixture into center of each dough portion. Fold one corner of each dough portion over spinach mixture to form a triangle. Press edges together with fingers to seal. Bake at 425° for 12 minutes or until golden.

Mini Egg Tarts by Mary Ann
1 refrigerated pie crust
5 large eggs
3 egg whites
dash of cream
1/4 cup skim milk
provolone or other cheese, shredded
cooked turkey bacon, crumbled
spinach, chopped
tomato, sliced
salt and pepper
fresh thyme

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut as many 2-3 inch circle as you can out of the pie crust (I got 10, by re-rolling the scraps and cutting out more). Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. Fit a circle in each cup of the muffin tin.
Whisk together eggs, egg whites, cream, and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in cheese.
Fill each crust with egg mixture, filling just to crust line. Top with sliced tomato, crumbled bacon, spinach, or thyme. You can also make these without a crust. Just mix up the egg mixture and pour it into a muffin tin coated with cooking spray.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until crust is golden, egg is puffed and cooked through. Remove immediately to wire rack and let cool for a few minutes.

Weekly Lunchbox- Chunky Chicken Salad Sdwh, Sliced Veggies w/Dip, Pesto Pasta, Chocolate Sdwh Cookies- and Spicy Bulgur Salad w/ Nectarines

Some people couldn't decide between peanut butter frosting and marshmallow so they took both.

This week's lunchbox takes most of it's recipes from Todd English. There was an article on Parents.com that featured this Chunky Chicken Salad- which got a double thumbs up from my son, Pesto Pasta Salad, Veggies and Frenchy Dip, and Chocolate Sandwich Cookies. I made them throughout the week and since there was a cookie recipe, I decided to compare a recent Chocolate Sandwich Cookie from Cooking Light. I didn't make either of the frostings that went with the cookies because I had just enough leftover marshmallow frosting from Cupcake Hero and some Peanut Butter Frosting from some cupcakes a week ago. The Cooking Light Cookies were like giant cake cookies that went great with the marshmallow frosting and Todd English's cookies were very chocolately and dark, like a brownie, but they were impossible to roll out I ended up rolling them into balls and smooshing them down a little. The last salad was very delicious and used our last nectarine from the backyard. (The pic is awful because I forgot to take a pic until there was no natural light, sorry!)


Todd English Sandwich Cookies above, Cooking Light Cookies below

Chunky Chicken Salad Sandwich From Todd English, on Parents.com
6 oz. leftover skinless chicken breast or rotisserie chicken, cut into small chunks
1/4 cucumber, diced
2 Tbs. fresh basil, chopped
2 Tbs. fresh parsley, chopped
2 Tbs. olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Juice of 1/2 lemon, or to taste
4 slices whole wheat bread
2 tsp. soft butter (optional)

Step 1: In a bowl, mix all ingredients except bread and butter. Toast bread or, to grill, spread one side of each slice with butter. Spoon half the chicken salad onto a slice of toast or bread, butter side down. Top with another piece of toast or bread, butter side up. Repeat. If grilling, place in a skillet on low heat for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned. Cut in half.

Sliced Veggies and Frenchy Ketchup Dip from Todd English, Parents.com
For kids over age 4, pack raw veggies with 1/4 cup of this delicious dip. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup ketchup and 1/4 cup light mayonnaise. Stir in 2 Tbs. diced pickles.

Pesto Pasta Salad from Todd English taken from Parents.com
1 lb. orzo pasta
2 cups basil, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove
5 pitted black olives
2 large, ripe tomatoes, diced

Step 1: Cook orzo according to the package directions. Drain and place in a bowl with very cold water and a few drops of olive oil so it cools fast. Drain again.
Step 2: In a food processor, pulse basil, cheese, remaining oil, garlic, and olives until mixed.
Step 3: In a large bowl, stir together pasta, basil mixture, and tomatoes.

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies from Todd English, taken from Parents.com
Makes: 20 cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup cocoa powder
1 cup plus 3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
3 Tbs. water
Instructions:
Step 1: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and mix together. Gradually mix in cocoa powder and flour. Stir in water.
Step 2: Form dough into a flattened disk; chill for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Preheat oven to 325?F. Carefully place dough on parchment paper; roll out to approximately 1/4" thick. Cut into circles using a 1 1/4" round cookie cutter. Place on cookie sheets. Bake about 5 to 8 minutes, until the cookies are firm at the edges and no longer doughy in the middle. Cool completely. Spread cream cheese frosting (see recipe below) on the cookie bottoms; assemble to form a sandwich cookie.

Cream Cheese Frosting
In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup low-fat cream cheese, 1 1/3 cup powdered sugar, and 6 Tbs. softened butter. Mix well.

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Marshmallow Cream Filling from Cooking Light

Cookies:

1 cup sugar

5 tablespoons butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)

5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup fat-free buttermilk

Cooking spray

Filling:

1 envelope unflavored gelatin (about 2 1/2 teaspoons)

3/4 cup cold water, divided

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup light-colored corn syrup

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. To prepare cookies, combine 1 cup sugar and butter in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 2 minutes). Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and eggs; beat until combined. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, 1 teaspoon salt, baking powder, and baking soda; stir well with a whisk. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 10 minutes or until set. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
4. To prepare filling, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in a large bowl; set aside. Combine remaining 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, syrup, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 244°. Remove from heat. Gradually pour hot sugar syrup into softened gelatin mixture, beating with a mixer at low speed, then at high speed until thick (about 6 minutes), scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; beat until well blended.
5. Quickly spread about 2 tablespoons filling over bottom side of 1 cookie; top with another cookie. Repeat procedure with remaining filling and cookies.

Spicy Bulgur Salad with Nectarines from the Top 100 Recipes for a healthy Lunchbox by Nicola Graimes

1/2 cup bulgur wheat

scant 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

1 Tbls olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 ripe nectarine, halved, pitted and sliced

3 Tbls pinenuts, toasted

2 Tbls chopped cilantro

pepper

1. Put the bulgur in a saucepan with the stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the stock is absorbed. Remove from the heat and let hte pan stand 5 minutes with the lid on.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet and fry the garlic for 1 minute, then add the spices and cook another

minute. Remove from the heat, add the bulgur, and stir to coat it in the spices. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.

3. Stir in the nectarine, pine nuts, and cilantro. Season with pepper.

Can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Weekly Lunchbox-Couscous with Tofu, Zucchini and Basil, Gouda Grilled Cheese,Turkey, Bacon and Bean Salad, and Banana Apple Bread

Couscous with Tofu, Zucchini and Basil
Here is our lunchbox for the week. We've got a couple of make ahead salads, my son picked the turkey and bacon one and it was delicious. Also, a loaded grilled cheese with apple to bring in fall. The banana apple bread was delicious and packed well. So, do your self a favor and spice up your lunch!
Gouda Grilled Cheese

Turkey, Bacon, and Bean Salad

Apple Banana Bread

Couscous with Tofu, Zucchini and Basil adapted from Lunch Lessons by Ann Cooper and Lisa M. Holmes

2 cups salted water

1/3 cup couscous

3 Tbls olive oil

1/2 cup firm tofu, diced

2 Tbls lemon juice

1/2 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup zucchini, diced small

1/2 cup red onion, diced small

3/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

1/4 cup chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley

1 tsp grated lemon zest

1/2 tsp chili powder

1. Bring two cups of water to a boil.

2. Place raw couscous in a large bowl and add enough of the salted water to just cover the couscous. Allow it to stand for about 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

3. Drizzle 2 Tbls olive oil into the couscous and use fork to break up any lumps.

4. In a small bowl, combine remaining oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Pour over the tofu and set aside.
5. Add the zucchini, onion, herbs, zest and chili powder to the couscous and mix well. Drain the tofu and gently toss into the couscous. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Gouda Grilled Cheese by Mary Ann

2 slices whole grain bread

gouda cheese slices

thinly sliced green bell pepper

thinly sliced tart apple (I used Jonathans)

baby spinach

thinly sliced turkey tenderloin, cooked

Place 1 slice of bread on george foreman grill. Layer cheese, apple, green pepper, turkey, spinach and a few slices cheese on top. Place other slice of bread on top. Close top of grill and cook until cheese is melted and veggies are warmed.

Turkey, Bacon, and Bean Salad adapted from kids healthy lunchbox by cara hobday

2Tbls olive oil

4 oz turkey bacon

5 oz turkey breast (I used turkey breast tenderloin)

1 Tbls red wine vinegar

1 Tbls dijon mustard

14 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli

salt and pepper

1- The evening before, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat, then add the turkey and cook until golden and cooked through. The turkey will take at least 3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels until cool and then dice.

2- In a large bowl, mix together the vinegar and mustard until well combined, then stir in the oil and set aside.

3- Combine the beans, red pepper, and broccoli and stir well. Add the bacon and turkey. Check the seasoning. Refrigerate overnight and stir in the dressing before packing.

Banana Apple Bread (Source: The Sweet Melissa Baking Book)
For the apples:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the banana bread:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon kosher salt

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

¼ cup fresh orange juice

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extrac

t1 ¼ cups very ripe mashed bananas (2 to 3)

Before you start:Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter and flour a 1 1/2-quart loaf pan.
To make the apples:Preheat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and brown sugar and heat until bubbling. Add the apples and cinnamon and sauté until golden and tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
To make the banana bread:In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
In a small bowl, combine the orange juice and vanilla.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three batches, alternating with the orange juice mixture, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each flour addition. Stir in the mashed bananas until combined. Then stir in the reserved apples.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes before unmolding onto the rack to cool further.
*Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. The banana bread keeps well wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze well wrapped in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil for up to 3 weeks. Defrost (still wrapped) at room temperature.

Weekly Lunchbox-Rachael Ray's Bento Lunch, Feta and Pasta Salad, Homemade Lunchable, and Apple-Date Bars

Welcome to this week's lunchbox. First we have Rachael Ray's Bento Lunch which consists of Candy Sushi (isn't that fun?), Tuna Pinwheel and Cold Sesame Noodles.
Next is a really delicious pasta salad, which you make the night before,as you do most of the Bento Lunch. I also make enough for those of us who stay at home, so we can have a great lunch too. My son is always begging for Lunchables, but I think they are too expensive. not to mention, unhealthy, and really how hard would it be to cut up some cheese, use a cookie cutter on a piece of lunchmeat and throw in a veggie? So, we made our own "Lunchable" and I felt much better sending it with him, because it was less-fattening and more fun. Lastly, a healthy little snack bar- The Apple-Date Bars, a yummy little sweet treat. So, have fun this week with something a little bit tastier in your lunchbox!

Candy Sushi From Every Day with Rachael Ray

4 large marshmallows

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/2 cup rice cereal

2 cherry or strawberry twists, such as Twizzlers

2 fruit roll-ups

In a small saucepan, melt the marshmallows with the butter over low heat. Add the rice cereal and stir to coat; let cool slightly. Cut the cherry twists to the length of the fruit roll-ups. Unroll the fruit roll-ups and peel off the plastic film. Place half of the rice cereal mixture on the edge of each roll-up. Place the twists in the center of the rice mixture and roll up the candy sushi. Cut into 2-inch pieces.

Was-sup Tuna Salad Pinwheels From Every Day with Rachael Ray

1/4 teaspoon wasabi paste, a blob the size of a pea

1 tablespoon tamari (dark soy sauce), eyeball it

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 scallions, chopped

One 6-ounce can water-packed tuna, drained and flaked with a fork

1 large (10 inch) flour tortilla

1 cup fresh baby spinach

1. In a small bowl, mix the wasabi with the tamari and the oil; add the scallions and tuna and mash with a fork to combine.

2. Heat a large skillet over high heat and blister the tortilla for about 30 seconds on each side to soften and toast. Transfer the tortilla to the countertop and let cool for about 1 minute.

3. Top the tortilla with an even layer of the spinach and then the tuna salad. Fold 2 sides of the tortilla over the tuna and tightly roll up the tortilla to enclose the salad. Cut into 1-inch-thick slices to make the pinwheels.

Cold Ginger, Soy and Honey Sesame Noodles From Every Day with Rachael Ray

2 teaspoons peanut butter

1 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons tamari (dark soy sauce), eyeball it

1 teaspoon sesame oil (eyeball it)

1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1/4 pound whole wheat spaghetti, cooked and rinsed under cold water

1 tablespoon light sesame seeds, toasted over medium-low heat for 3 minutes (optional)

In a medium microwavable bowl, heat the peanut butter in the microwave oven on high until melted, 15 to 20 seconds. Whisk the honey and tamari into the peanut butter, then whisk in the sesame oil and ginger. Toss the spaghetti with the sauce and top with the sesame seeds, if you want to go really groovy with the noodles.

Feta and Pasta Salad from kids' healthy lunchbox by cara hobday

1 cup whole wheat pasta

2 Tbls olive oil

6 oz reduced fat feta, cut into cubes

3 Tbls salsa

3/4 cup bottled roasted red peppers, chopped

2 zucchini, diced

1 cup fresh green beans, chopped or broken into pieces

Cook pasta according to pkg directions. Drain and rinse with cool water. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, and salsa. Add the peppers, zucchini, feta, and green beans. Stir in the pasta. season with salt and pepper and let refrigerate overnight.

Homemade Lunchable by Mary Ann

6 or more crackers (I used whole wheat Ritz)

6 slices mozzarella cheese (I cut it myself)

6 circles of low-fat lunchmeat, cut with a small round cookie cutter

very thinly sliced cucumber

Pack all slices in a plastic container and let child stack at school.

Apple-Date Bars slightly adapted from Lunch Lessons- by Ann Cooper and Lisa Holmes
5 Tbls butter, plus extra for the pan
2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

3 Tbls 2% milk

1/2 cup peeled and chopped apple

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground allspice

1/2 cup walnut pieces

1/2 cup pitted and chopped dried dates

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter a 9x12-inch pan.

Cream the butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the egg and milk. Stir in the apple. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, mix thoroughly. Stir in the nuts and dates. Spread the dough in the greased pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until firm to the touch. Remove from oven and all to cool for 10 minutes before cutting in 18 2x3-inch pieces.

Weekly Lunchbox-Peanut Butter and Jelly Power Muffins, Chicken Burgers, Steak Quesadilla or Chicken Pita with Roasted Veggies, Pepperoni Sandwich

My son has been begging me to make these chicken burgers for at least a week now. I finally got around to it and he wanted another one the next day! The only problem is, we ate them for lunch too, and didn't have any left. I will definitely be making them again, and will probably double the recipe. They were great cold or warmed up and I added extra sprouts on top for mine. The muffins were super moist and a great, healthy treat. The other sandwich-type items add some ideas of how to get extra veggies into the lunchbox and also add a variety of meats, breads, and sandwiches so that kids won't get bored of the same old thing everyday. Who knows, you might just find a new favorite!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Power Muffins from Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed our Children by Ann Cooper and Lisa M. Holmes

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsps baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 cup maple sugar (I used 1/4 cup white sugar, and 1/4 cup light brown sugar)

1 tsp cinnamon

6 Tbls rolled oats

3 Tbls raisins

1/4 chopped raw peanuts (I used dry roasted)

1/2 cup soy milk (I used skim milk)

4 Tbls canola oil
6 Tbls pure maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 Tbls cider vinegar

2 medium bananas, mashed

4 Tbls strawberry jam (I used blackberry and red raspberry)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a mini-muffin pan

Into a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, maple sugar, and cinnamon. Add the oats, raisins, and peanuts.

In another bowl, combine the soy milk, oil, maple syrup, vanilla, peanut butter, vinegar, and bananas and mash until the ingredients are well blended, then pour into the dry ingredients, stirring just until all ingredients are incorporated. Take care not to overmix.

Fill muffin cups two-thirds full with batter, then drop a little jam onto the top of each muffin. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining peanuts and bake for approximately 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Chicken Burgers slightly adapted from The Top 100 Recipes for a healthy Lunchbox by Nicola Graimes

1 small onion, diced

2 Tbls chopped alfalfa sprouts

1 small carrot, finely shredded

1 apple, cored and grated, skin and all

1 lb ground chicken

1 small egg, lightly beaten

all-purpose flour, for dusting

salt

pepper

olive oil, for brushing

Put the onion, sprouts, carrot, apple and ground chicken in a bowl. Stir to break it up or use your hands and mix everything together.

Add the egg and seasoning and mix again by hand

Lightly cover a plate and your hands with flour. Divide the mixture into 6 portions and shape into a circular, flat burger. Place the burgers on a plate, cover with plastice wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Heat the broiler and line a broiler pan with foil. Brush the foil lightly with olive oil and place the burgers on top. Brush the tops of the burgers with oil, lightly and broil about 8 minutes on each side until golden. Chill until ready to serve.

I toasted a hamburger bun under the broiler, added some lettuce and put the chicken burger in the middle.

Steak Quesadilla or Chicken Pita with Roasted Veggies by Mary Ann

whole wheat pita of flour tortilla

cooked chicken, shredded or leftoevet steak, sliced

leftover roasted veggies (from last week)

shredded cheese

You can make a steak quesadilla or a chicken quesadilla. I make them in the George Foreman grill because then you get a crispy quesadilla without using any butter or grease. Just get your tortilla, layer the cheese, meat and veggies, and cook until cheese is melted and everything is warmed. For the pita, which you could also make with steak, I just put shredded cheese, veggies, and chicken in the pita and kept all of them cold.

Pepperoni Pizza Sandwich by Mary Ann
I take two slices of bread and spread soft butter on the outer sides.Then I spread pizza sauce on the inside of one piece and put in on the hot griddle. Next comes a layer of mozzarella cheese, a layer of turkey pepperoni (a healthier option, not as greasy), and another layer of cheese. I spread pizza sauce on the inside of the other piece of bread and place that slice of bread, sauce side down on top of the layer of cheese. From there on out it is treated as a grilled cheese sandwich. You can also make these with just cheese, or any other veggies. My son likes them with pepperoni best.