It’s that time of the year when packing that lunch box at the crack o’ dawn is at the top of my mind. To help our neighbors at Le Montreaux apartments in Austin have an easier start to this busy season, we clicked into our favorite site “Taste of Home” to find some of the healthiest and easiest lunches that we think you kids will love. And you will, too!
Got more ideas? Swing by our apartment community in Austin and we’ll pass them along!
Peanut Butter, Apple and Raisin Sandwich
Taste of Home’s Top Review: Love the combination of texture and flavor. It’s an easy to make a healthy, tasty treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon creamy or chunky peanut butter
- 1 slice crusty white or wheat bread
- 1/4 medium apple, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon golden raisins
- Ground cinnamon
Directions: Spread peanut butter over bread. Top with apple and raisins; sprinkle with cinnamon.
Taste of Home’s Top Review: “My kids ask for these pita sandwiches all the time. They haven’t noticed that as good as the pitas taste, they’re good for them too”
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/8 teaspoon each ground allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg
- 2 whole wheat pita pocket halves
- 1/2 medium apple, thinly sliced
- 1 firm banana
In a small bowl, blend the peanut butter, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread inside pita bread halves and fill with apple and banana slices.
Taste of Home’s Top Review: My kids love these easy four-ingredient turkey pinwheels. Go ahead and make them the day before, they won’t get soggy!
Ingredients:
- I carton (8 oz) spreadable garden vegetable cream cheese
- 8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 pound thinly sliced deli turkey
Directions:
Spread cream cheese over tortillas. Layer with spinach and turkey. Roll up tightly. If not serving immediately, cover and refrigerate. To serve, cut each roll crosswise into 6 pieces.
This variation is delicious, too:
- 8 thin slices cooked turkey
- 4 flour tortillas (6 inches), room temperature
- 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
- 1 medium green pepper, cut into thin strips
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup ranch salad dressing
Taste of Home’s Top Review: “This recipe features the flavors of your favorite pie but only takes a few minutes to make – and there’s no cooking or baking required.”
Directions:
- 1 package (8 ounces) sliced pepperoni.
- 4 flour tortillas (8 inches), room temperature
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes.
- 1/4 cup each chopped sweet onion, chopped fresh mushrooms and chopped ripe olives.
- 1/4 cup chopped green pepper, optional.
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Ingredients:
Arrange pepperoni off center on each tortilla. Top with remaining ingredients. Fold sides and bottom over filling and roll up.
Taste of Home’s Top Review: This dish is amazing! I did nothing different, and everyone loves it. Thank you for providing us with delicious ideas that are so easy to prepare!
- 3 cups uncooked wagon wheel pasta or elbow macaroni
- 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained.
- 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 small green pepper, julienned
- 1 small sweet red pepper, julienned
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup picante sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Directions: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, picante sauce, salt and cumin; pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Place it in a container with a fork or spoon and send your kids on their way!
Need more ideas to keep you and your kids eating well. We always recommend Taste of Home to our friends and encourage you to do so as well! Need more ideas? Click into our blog later this month for more easy and tasty ideas for lunch on the go!