Easy DIY Potato Chips

Healthy Food Idea for your Lunchboxes

I have always wanted to prepare foods from scratch.  But I'm not a kitchen pro, so it only happens when it does.  And for the most part, I'm a chicken when it comes to trying new stuffs.  I read food magazines, recipe books, and watch the Food Channel.  When I found an idea, I would bookmark, print, and imprint it in my memory.  But it all stops there.  I need a little push to try it. Simple inspiration like kids' request.

To make story short, last year I met someone who taught me how to make potato chips from scratch. With a tip to make it crisp and light.  And of course, with lots of kids' request, which made me push myself to make it a family's snack retreat on movie nights and play dates.

So what's the secret?

Make sure you cut it as paper thin as possible.  But don't worry if you can't.  They still taste good, but not as cripsy when their thinner.  My secret is to make use of a grater or peeler.  It takes a lot of practice, but worth the effort and time.

Look for a grater that has an elongated slot like shown above.  They will make your life easier.  It will help you cut potatoes in half the time.

Brine it.  The salt water solution draws the starch away from the potatoes, making it lighter and crisper to fry or bake.  Honestly, I haven't really tried baking it since we love potato chips fried and drained.  Plus, since it's already brined, it's not bland at all. They're as yummy as the pouched snacks.

Deep fry or Bake it. We do option 1, which is deep frying with vegetable oil.  I will try to bake them next time.  But first let me find out the right oven temp and correct length of time to bake it just right.

 

Drain and Serve. Drain excess oil well with paper towels, then serve.

 

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial.  I have found this pretty easy to make and it's nice to know my family devour it on snack time, without the worries of any added MSG or preservatives to it.

Here are the lunches I packed with potato chips. Kids and adults love them just as much.

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It's our one-stop shop when we're on a lunch rut.

Momables' Chicken Nuggets

Chicken Nuggets has been my kids' favorite lunches.  I'm sure you could tell coz I've been frequently sending this for school lunch. And I don't even worry about it because it's all-natural and safe for them to consume every single day.  It's by Momables, the only menu planner that my family trust throughout my lunch packing years.

On his Lunchbots Trio, he has homemade Chicken Nuggets on one compartment, a BBQ sauce on the second, and blueberry and edamame on the third.  For this small box, it's a matter of partitioning to pack all the needed nutritions for lunch.

On her Goodbyn Mix and Match Set, she has the same lunch but smaller in portion size.  Everything she needs to be satisfied and stay focused in school.

Happy Tuesday!

 

All bento accessories are available through Bento USA,

the cheapest and most complete online bento products in the USA.

Other bento gears are also available thru My Amazon Affiliate Link.
Thank you for your support!

Homemade Classic Sloppy Joe {Kids' Choice}

 

Today's lunch is inspired by last night's discussion about the famous Sloppy Joe burgers.  I'm not even sure if it was even categorized as a burger.  So please correct me if I'm mistaken. 

I am on a lunch rut lately and have pulled out all of the school cafeteria's menu to see what the kiddos actually would want to try and eat.  I absolutely don't intend to become lazy and choose the easy way out.  But I plan to make a homemade version of all the cafeteria meals so the kids would feel that they're not missing out on what their friends are eating in school.  Remembering the pink slime issue and the artificial food coloring allergies my kids have, I have to work harder to keep the kids eating healthy and safe.  Not that I'm saying school cafeteria meals are unsafe, but if your kids have food allergy issues, then they're not quite safe.  Agree?

Sloppy Joe is one of them.  G asked, "What is Sloppy Joe, mom?"  Good question coz none of the kids had them. None of them wanted messy food on their lunchboxes and plates before.  Now that they have grown, I guess it's perfect timing to experiment and introduce them to new food. And the messy yummy stuffs.

"A Sloppy Joe is a sandwich originating in United States of ground beef, onions, tomato sauce or ketchup and other seasonings served on a hamburger bun."

For vegans, substitute ground beef to a textured vegetable protein meat.  You might want to give Quorn Foods a try for this purpose.  They're yummy as well. 

I researched for a perfect recipe that is great for starters, specifically for kids.  We've tried a few, and after a few modification, this one received the Thumb of approval, which made it to their EasyLunchboxes.  Great!!

On his EasyLunchboxes, he has 2 whole wheat dinner buns, with Sloppy Joe on thermal container,
a spinach and olive salad with Ranch, and strawberry hearts.

Homemade Classic Sloppy Joe Recipe {Kids' Choice}

 

• 1 pound  lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1-1/2 tbspn brown sugar
• cooking oil
• salt to taste
• pickle dill

Directions:

1. Preheat skillet over medium heat.  Add oil then saute garlic till lightly golden. Add onions, green pepper and beef.  Cook till brown.  Drain excess liquid or oil
2. Stir in mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar.  Mix thoroughly.  Reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes.  Season.
3. Serve with pickle dill on a whole wheat dinner bun.  YUM!

This recipe has been linked up to:

Have a splendid lunch!!

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the cheapest and most complete online bento products in the USA.

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Welcome Spring!

Finally Spring is here!! We've been so waiting for this season for a long time. We can't live in the cold weather for long anymore. Kids get sick on and off.  They miss out on fun play dates, and the not-so-fun school works too...LOL! Blame it all on the season. Winter is the FLU season.

Welcome Spring!!

We miss all the beautiful colors of the garden. This is the time my kids and I start to renew the garden and hunt for the brightest color of the season to bring cheers to each and everyone.

So I thought of packing colorful lunches today to remind them of the beautiful cheerful hues of Spring....our most favorite season ever.  When they saw what's in their Easylunchboxes for lunch, they said, "Oooooh! Is it Spring yet, mom?" Yes it is! And I'm a day late.  But better be late than never.

 

Don't you love packing lunches for your kids especially when celebrating something?  It makes everything special too with a touch of those Lunchbox Love Notes that express your heart out.  Loud enough for kids to feel and be proud of in school and out.

Have a wonderful Spring!

This has been linked up to the party!

Check it out.

All bento accessories are available through Bento USA,

the cheapest and most complete online bento products in the USA.

Other bento gears are also available thru My Amazon Affiliate Link.
Thank you for your support!

Homemade Chilidogs

Our school had a Literacy Fundraiser Night last month. As part of the fundraiser, the school held a dinner sponsored by Weinerschnitzel.

For $5, you get either:

• 2 chilidogs/ 2 corndogs/ 2 hotdogs or a combination of any 2 
• chips, and 
• soda.  

Missy A had 2 corndog meal, Mr G had a combination corndog/chilidog, while hub and I had to share on 2 chilidog meal, since Missy A could only eat 1 corndog.  So any leftover went to us.

After that night, G had requested for a chilidog school lunch, which never happened till this day.  I was able to find a good recipe that can equal, or might surpass Weinerschnitzel's that my kids , I mean Mr G, would love to eat.

I found a good recipe over at Simply Recipes.  But since I didn't have all the ingredients at hand. I played with these ingredients a bit in combination with another recipes I've found.  I noticed they all share common ingredients.  The only difference is the use of dry mustard, tomato sauce, honey/molasses, etc.  So by tweaking a bit, okay a lot since I left out on most ingredients, I was able to come up with a kid-friendly recipe, which G loved so well.  But not sure if its pretty much acceptable for adults' taste.  I like it in my own opinion.  Hubby thought it could have been better.  So next time I'd follow the recipe on the dot.

On one of their EasyLunchboxes, I prepared the hotdog on a bun and packed the chili and cheese separately for sogginess-sake.  I also made him a spinach salad with ranch on the yellow cup and blueberries.  Missy A skipped the chili and just brought the hotdog on a bun with the rest of the meal.  She's not into chilidog, I remember.  Next time I'll pack some corndogs for her.

What better way to send lunches to school? Send them with Lunchbox Love Notes by Say Please, that positively boosts self-confidence.  It truly compliments any lunchbox of your kids' choice.

For Easter, they have a promotion going on which saves you 15% off your entire purchase with the use of coupon code HOME15 at checkout. Make sure you visit them before they ran out.

Have a fun lunch!!

All bento accessories are available through Bento USA,

the cheapest and most complete online bento products in the USA.

Other bento gears are also available thru My Amazon Affiliate Link.
Thank you for your support!

Homemade Chix Burger - A Recipe

My children are always drawn towards fast food chain meals. It must be the FAD.  You know, whatever they see most eat is a must eat.  So we had a serious health education talk at home and agreed to minimize fast food products and pre-packaged meals at all cost.  I told them it's not bad to eat them once in a while if they need a bite or more, but a daily consumption would surely hurt them systemically.  Besides mommy has all the time to cook and play with food to make them yummy-licious.  So why not take advantage of it.  And reserve restaurant foods for special occasions.

Lunch was Chicken Burger, which we call it Chix Burger for short.  Mister G had a couple of whole wheat halves of Filipino dinner rolls, known as Pandesal, with the chicken patties in his EasyLunchboxes.  Condiments and pickles were on the side to prevent it from getting soggy.  Sides were plums, orange wedges and grapes.  Usually good with lettuce, but due to my pantry shortage, I sent them without, and complemented it with more fruits.

A smaller portion for Missy A on her pink EasyLunchboxes. Ketchup on the pink condiment cup underneath her Yakult drink with a yellow spoon to scoop it out and spread onto her chicken patties.  One small compartment of smaller plum cubes, and a medium compartment of orange wedges and 2 rows of mini red grapes.

Click here to access the recipe.  Consider yourselves forwarned, this recipe is very simple that anyone can follow.  All ingredients are basic unless you have allergy issues, please consider to substitute.  Feel free to modify according to your taste buds. Adjust salt and pepper measurements. Any questions, jot me a comment below.  Thank you!

All bento accessories are available through Bento USA,

the cheapest and most complete online bento products in the USA.

Other bento gears are also available thru My Amazon Affiliate Link.
Thank you for your support!

Quick and Easy: Freshly-Made Bento School Lunches

I have featured lunches that are quick and easy to prepare in the morning. I wake up 30 minutes before the kids to prepare for breakfast and lunch.   Each meals featured below are tried and tested to be packed under 20 minutes.

Summer Mealtime: Home-made Happy Meals

I must admit that summer isn't much lunch packing since the kids aren't quite keen on eating bento at home. Plus dad is quite amused whenever I serve meals on bento boxes. What else for hubby? These men in my life think I'm nuts. So, I try to serve it for my kids as snacks instead, when we're home, since they enjoy bento foods even better.

Today's breakfast was inspired by Mc Donalds' Happy Meals &

Lunchables Chicken Nuggets Meal.

I have prepared home-made chicken nuggets, courtesy of Momables, BBQ sauce and fruits as sides. Ms A had a starfish pick on apple slices, while Mr G had an Octopus pick on watermelon cubes. 

I must admit my kids could tell a healthier meal from not. And they devoured this like lightning flash. It was even compared to Lunchables' nugget meals.  And this was a sure winner and have added it as one of our Fall menus.

I have to thank Momables for the Nuggets Recipe, which is very easy to make,

and takes about less than 10 minutes to prepare & pack after it has been baked.

If you're looking for the recipe, check it out here.

Also, this might be a good time to take advantage of their dinners and lunches,

specially planned for you on a weekly basis if you subscribe over at MOMables

for as low as $5/month only.

Here's how it works on Summer Time and Holidays:

Between July 1^st and August 14^th we send you 3 large family friendly meals, a snack and a desert recipe for the whole family to enjoy. We’ve found that between activity-filled summers, trips to the pool, camps, and the grandparents… it’s at dinnertime when parents need help!  Our quick summertime recipes yield leftovers… and are perfect for quick lunches! Once again, we never forget the photo of what your food will look like, nor the very helpful shopping list! 

Recipe: Homemade Garlic and Herb Burger

Since this has been a regular in my son's bento, I decided to share my recipe that made this so tasty and replaced their cravings for Mc Donalds' burgers.

How to Make Eggroll Wrappers

Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls) - Tutorials

As I was searching online for bento ideas, I have come across of Onigiri.  They are Japanese Rice Balls with Nori sheets.  My children loves Nori with rice.  They love sushi rolls.  But I'd like to create new items and shapes to their lunches to make it more interesting and appealing to their appetites.  I think Onigiri might be a good twist/alternative to the usual sushi rice they are bringing in school.

Ginger Ale

Ginger Ale is a carbonated drink that has the taste of a beer or wine.  It provides several medicinal benefits, which can be seen below.

Ginger ales come in two varieties: "golden" and "dry". Golden ginger ale is dark colored, generally sweet to taste, with a strong ginger spice flavor. It is the older style and there is little or no difference between this and nonalcoholic versions of ginger beer. Many believe golden ginger ale is a form of ginger beer brought into North America by migrants from Eastern Europe, where it had been known for centuries. Golden ginger ale, like ginger beer, is mainly consumed as a soda type drink in its own right.

Banana-Cinn Muffin

Bento Weekly - Round-Up 2

Oct 24 (Monday)

It's the second week of my Bento Weekly.  I thought I would be sending my son to school today with cafeteria meals.  We were so busy with a lot of kids' performances and parties during the weekend, that we failed to shop for this week's pantry supplies.  Anyway, this was what I came up with for Monday.

A salad full of Romaine lettuce, corn kernels, shrimp,
crab flakes & raisins. With a side dish of baked chicken
nuggets and diced plums. I don't know why my shrimps
turned out to be so washed out here, when they
 appear so pink.

I was dreaming about Monday's brown-bag last night.  I have to recall them when I woke up this morning. Ha! That was a nightmare.  But it turned out okay I guess, since I saw a smile on his face when he saw me packed his lunchbox.  I'm glad I still have Mc Donald's BBQ sauce in my fridge.  I sent it with his oven-baked chicken nuggets.

Oct 25 (Tuesday) Picnic Lunch Bento

Herbed beef balls with diced tomatoes,
 carrots with ranch, sliced oranges.

It's this time of the year for the school's picnic lunch again. They will be eating all together on the grass-grounds at exactly noontime.  I thought of sending in something new and satisfying on cold fall weathers like today.  I thought of sending soup, but I'd rather not to avoid spill-accidents.  They're sitting on the ground today, not on chairs.  So I made him herbed beef balls with diced tomatoes on the side.  I covered that diced tomatoes with press & seal, so its juice would stay where it should be.  I did the same thing with the ranch. I also sent him an extra small apple for snack, juice pouch & water.  Then I think I forgot to send him utensils to use.  I guess I would have to drive back just before lunch to make it to him.  That's the life of brown-bagging.  It happens.

Oct 26 (Wednesday)

Chicken Teriyaki strips over steamed rice, strawberry hearts
and banana-cinn muffin for dessert.

I like it when I get special requests coz that saves me the trouble of formulating lunch menus for the following day.  This was our dinner leftover last night.  I guess he really loved it to even repeat it for school lunch.  I forgot to send in ketchup though.  He loves it with ketchup.  Don't ask me why.

Oct 27 (Thursday)

Vege-meat Sushi rolls, egg rolls, red grapes, roasted edamame.
An ideal finger-food bento.

Let's try on that roasted edamame again.  Last time I sent it, it went back almost untouched.  He said he was having a difficult time to shell it.  But after I explained to him that there was neither shelling nor skinning required on my lunch meals, he was determined to try again.  SO I'm keeping my fingers crossed that those edamame would be all gone by the time he's home.

Oct 28 (Friday)

Edamame, meatballs, orange wedges and plums.

This was a combination of bento items of what he had for this entire week.  I also sent in apple slices which I packed it in a Ziploc eliminating as much air as I could to prevent it from browning.  I didn't have a ginger ale or lemon lime soda to soak the apples, so I have to find a way to keep it looking fresh.  So far the week went pretty well.  And I was glad to survive another week of lunch packing.

See you next week!

c",)

Bento Weekly - Round 1

This is the start of the week of my Bento Weekly Meals.
As stated on my weekly calendar, I have prepared as planned.
Hoping I'd go on till the last days of the school-year.

This is Week 1 for Oct 17-21.

Oct 17 (Monday): Japanese Bento

Seafood sushi rolls, breaded pork nuggets

with ketchup, carrot slices with bacon ranch.

Everything home-made except for the  ranch dressing and ketchup.  I sealed it with press and seal since the lids that came with my smidgets are so tight that even I find it so difficult to pop it open.  If you need help to make sushi rolls, click here.  Other questions, simply jot me a message.

Oct 18 (Tuesday): By Special Request

Chili topped with Quail Eggs served with

steamed rice.

I'm glad I was able to store some of our Chili leftovers in the freezer.  I knew he would ask for it anytime.  And he just did today.  He was supposed to bring a new dish, but opted for his favorite Chili.  This is actually one of my regular bento items.  I added a few quail eggs for a new look and I hope he'd consume it as well.

Oct 19 (Wednesday): Korean Bento

Korean Beef Bulgogi served over steamed rice,

Oyster Broccoli on the side,

Nectarine & Kiwi as dessert.

It's another change of menu.  I could tell my son has becoming more accepting of oriental dishes for school. This is one of his favorites but when it comes to packing for school, forget it!  This was our leftover last night and he suggested that he'd have this for  school the following day.  Nice!!

Oct 20 (Thursday): High Protein Bento

Cheese Pizza Bagels, Baby corn on a cob, roasted edamame

This is an example of mix & match bento items.  When you're running out of inventories,  just try to put together whatever's left.  This day the whole bunch of edamame came back because he couldn't take off the shell.  What shell, sweetie?  It's been shelled already.  Obviously, he wasn't familiar of these veggie and was still exploring with me.  So he was still a bit hungry and took a hamburger from the school's cafeteria.

Oct 21 (Friday): Shrimp & Sushi Galore

Shrimp with Mayo, sushi rice, kiwi and pears

He loved the shrimp and mayo idea last night at the dinner table.  He said he wanted another round for his school lunch today.  So I packed it with some of his favorites.  Hope he'd have a hearty lunch today.

See you next week!

c",)

Sushi Rolls - You can make one too.

Since I've been making a lot of sushi rolls for my school bentos, I decided to feature the basic ways to make it.  So you can make yours too.  It's a little bit tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy as tying a shoelace.

I like packing this for school for so many reasons:

1. It's mess-free.
2. Perfect as finger foods - no need to pack for utensils.  
3. Easy to make & prepare.
4. It's packed with meat, seafood, fruits per slice.

Project Lunch Box - Week 4

Week 4 would be more like rice lunches for us.  

It's time to train the palate with rice meals this time.  

I'd like him to be more flexible with the foods we have at home.  

Just so I wouldn't be stressing much about low pantry inventories.

With the exception of Monday, all else are healthy rice meals.

Grilled Cheese Wraps for a Green Monday

Grilled Deli and Cheese Melt Wrap, Kiwi, Edamame

Packed with his favorite Fruit Punch and Frozen
Crushed Cup Strawberry-Banana Yogurt.

My son went home with some leftovers today. First time. Why? I think I packed so much for him.  He used to have some friends to share with at lunchtime.  You know little boys who's always so curious about his lunches.  And, my boy was so stressed about that.  He hears all kinds of comments and requests.  For instance, "Yucky green beans", "I'm allergic to shrimps", "I hate broccoli!", "let's trade lunches", and goes on.  There were also times he would just want to hide till he was all done, just so nobody would bother him.  I told him to either just ignore and eat or share a little to them.  

Steamed Chinese Sausages for Red & Yellow Tuesday

Steamed Chinese Sausages over steamed rice,
with corn kernels and red grapes.

I pack my lunches in such a way he has fruits and veggies on the side.  I make sure they vary each day, unless I get a huge supply at home.  So far, he's very happy and less picky lately.  The secret is I just let him know what he's having for lunch the night before.  I never give him choices.

No School Wednesday

My kids were off from school today.
It's PTC Conference Week, and Wednesday is off for a full day conference
 for parents who can't make it on their scheduled days.

My preschooler is off as well due to teachers' workshop set on the same day.

So consider this day be a rest day for us as well.

See you on Thursday!

Chili Thursday

Chili con Carne packed with corn, soy beans, edamame
and green bell peppers served with steamed rice
and grapes on the side. 

Not sure what to pack this Thursday.  Honestly, I'm running out of ideas.  I wanted to create a varied meal for at least a month to repeat over the school year.  Glad I have leftover chili last night which my children devour hot or cold.  Today was his first time to pack this for school.  And, guess what?  I had an empty lunchbox after school.  He said it was yummy and would love to have it again.  That painted a big smile on my face of course.  He also said that the boys in school asked how come he always have yummy lunches.  He simply replied with a smile, "My mom made them for me."  

Adobo Rice Friday

Adobo Rice, Shredded Chicken, Broccoli,
Kiwi & Chocolate Crinkles

It's Jog-A-Thon Day!  Each class jogged in the school's field for 30 minutes.  The classes took turns.  Not a race but the goal was to jog as many lapses as they could.  This was a fundraiser event for their fieldtrip.  Always fun to be a volunteer parent of course.  Because you get to join in the fun.  Orange slices and water bottles were donated by families per class.  Parent volunteers help tally their lapses as they jogged.  Their tally charts were attached and secured with a safety pin behind them.

So today I packed as much food as I could.  I know it would be an exhausting event, especially under the heat of the sun.  And I'd like him to regain his stamina as fast as he could. So he could better focus in school works.

My adobo rice is actually a garlic rice stir-fried with olive oil and added a bit of adobo sauce for added flavoring.  I fried the rice so it wouldn't be soggy by lunch time.  The sauce over the rice is usually the culprit.  I shredded the chicken too for easier eating, and added some broccoli and kiwi on the side for more nutrients. I also packed some chocolate crinkles for his snack.

Need Adobo Recipe?  Click here.