Life In Self Quarantine – Fun And Healthy Recipes To Try As A Family
Discover > Texas Mom Blog > Life In Self Quarantine – Fun And Healthy Recipes To Try As A Family
Economic instability, school closures, working from home and risk of job loss - All of this is a lot to handle apart from the very real public health crisis that is going on.
But one thing that does remain predictable in this situation is; Nutrition. I need to eat.
My family needs to eat.
We all need to eat.
Food has forever been a source of strength for the physical body and a nourishing for the soul.
In a time like this where there is so much uncertainty, cooking and eating as a family can be a way to forget and refocus. Cooking for my family grounds me as it is not based on some projected future. It is a current need that needs my full attention and care.
With the children at home, suddenly breakfast and lunch have also become full-fledged meal courses and not something that can be packed or had ‘on the go’.
I will be honest; it was overwhelming at the start. It felt like I was in the kitchen all day. And the kids were bringing the house down while I was occupied with making lunch!
I have had to make some quick changes to this routine if we are to survive through this self-quarantine. We decided the children will make their presence felt- but, in the kitchen helping me out.
There are several advantages to young kids helping out in the food preparation. The most important one is that they are more open to trying meals they help prepare. This is very helpful, especially during times like these, when it is crucial for families to eat healthy and wholesome foods to build immunity.
But for kids to be attracted, meals need to be looking good too!
Below are 3 of my favorite recipes that are:
Easy to make and look great.
Require assistance of little helpers!
Baked Cheesy Zucchini With Sesame Seeds
Have kids with aversions towards certain vegetables? I do! My son has a dislike towards any vegetable that is crunchy or slimy or gooey or juicy. Yes! That covers almost all of the veggies.
But he does love a batch of these Parmesan covered zucchini (What wine goes well with zucchini?) sticks. Crispy sliced zucchini with a generous showering of fresh Parmesan and crackling sesame, baked just enough to give a chewy and cheesy bite.
The reason kids will love it more is because the recipe is ridiculously simple, and they can be involved in every step. Go ahead and give it a try!
What You Will Need
4-6 Zucchini, quartered lengthwise
3/4th cup freshly grated Parmesan
2 teaspoons sesame seeds (how long do sesame seeds last?)
Half teaspoon dried oregano (how long does dried oregano last?)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Half teaspoon dried thyme (how long does dried thyme last?)
A bunch of freshly chopped cilantro
Half teaspoon dried basil (how long does dried basil last?)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
A teaspoon of garlic powder (how long does garlic powder last?)
What You Need To Do
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients.
Take your zucchini stick and lightly toss them in the mixture.
Place a baking sheet on a baking tray and brush with some olive oil.
Arrange your zucchini sticks on the baking tray. Sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan mixture over the sticks and drizzle with the olive oil.
Bake until the zucchini is tender. It usually takes about 15 minutes.
Broil for the next two to three minutes until the Parmesan is crisp and golden.
Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.
COVID19 Tip: You can substitute zucchini with carrot sticks, cauliflower florets or sweet potato wedges. I understand these are the days of reverse recipe building, so search your fridge for what you have and get creative!
Carrot Cake Bread
In the uncertain times of the corona virus, switch things up at home and serve your kids cake for breakfast! No really, it is more of a bread, but it’s as good as any cake, and healthier!
Made from 100% whole wheat flour (how long does whole wheat flour last?), and naturally sweetened, this bread is tender, flavorful and full of vitamin A from the carrots (how long do carrots last?). Eat it dipped in warm milk and you have an excellent breakfast option. Once again, you can include the kids in all the steps, from prepping the carrots to mixing the batter, just be careful with the ovens!
What You'll Need
2 Cups whole wheat flour
Half teaspoon nutmeg (how long does nutmeg last?)
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
A teaspoon baking powder (how long does baking powder last?)
1 teaspoon baking soda (how long does baking soda last?)
Half teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons oil
2 eggs
3/4th cup Greek yogurt(regular will do just fine!)
Half cup Brown sugar (how long does sugar last?)
2 cups grated carrots
Half Cup pecans, chopped
What You Will Have To Do
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9x5 loaf pan by coating it with some olive oil.
Combine in a large bowl, the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, spices and Brown sugar. Set aside.
In another large bowl beat the egg till fluffy, beat in the oil and sugar. Fold the yogurt into this mixture.
In parts, stir in the carrots and the pecans (how long do pecans last?) until combined.
Add the dry mixture to the wet one slowly and stir until well combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake at 350 Fahrenheit for close to an hour or until a tester comes out clean.
Allow it to cool in the pan for five minutes then remove from the pan and cool completely.
Serve with plain warm milk or any milk substitute.
COVID19 Tip: Grate two batches of carrots and freeze them in separate bags so you have ready carrot when you need it. If not Brown sugar, you may add any sweetener you have at hand. Honey, coconut sugar (how long does coconut sugar last?), date molasses (how long does molasses last?) or applesauce make great substitutes.
Healthy Strawberry Banana Frozen Yogurt
I was thinking of picking another savory recipe, but hey! Its all about cooking with the kids today, isn’t it? How could I finish off without a frozen smoothie/ice-cream/Popsicle/yogurt recipe?
During the quarantine, please avoid buying ready made packaged treats and snacks for your kids. The store-bought frozen sweets are just a scary package of artificial sweeteners, colors and preservatives.
Instead, try this instant frozen yogurt recipe. As much as it is easy to make and fun to eat, it is highly nutritious as well.
It’s got bananas (how long do bananas last?) that give potassium, which kids lack these days. Potassium helps promote healthy blood pressure in kids and maintains electrolyte balance in the body . Strawberries give vitamin C that is essential for building immunity and absorbing other nutrients in the body.
The Greek yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics that helps maintain healthy gut function in children and adults.
You will need 3 frozen but slightly thawed ripe bananas. 2 cups of frozen strawberries, half a cup plain Greek yogurt and tablespoon of lemon juice.
Simply place all the ingredients into a food blender or processor and blend until smooth. For a soft serve texture, serve immediately. alternatively, you can pour it into a freezer safe container and freeze it for some hours before serving.
COVID19 Tip: You can substitute strawberries with any other berries you have in your freezer. Frozen mango instead of banana makes it exceptionally delicious as well.
Remember, the secret to a good recipe is to have fun. This is a tough and confusing time not just or us, but also our children. Missing out school, not meeting their friends, not knowing when they can go out next can be very daunting for young minds to process.
One thing constant for your kids, however, is YOU. They find comfort in your love. Let that be the force that takes us through. Stay home and stay safe!
