5 no-cook recipes your child can whip up

Diets & Recipes

Teaching kids about the value of nutrition and healthy ways of eating is extremely important in today’s time, when there is so much junk food all around. And there’s no better way to do that than by letting them experiment in the kitchen. Whipping up simple meals that require no cooking can be engaging, constructive and fun. Kids love to cook if they are encouraged, and who knows how their little hands and creativity can surprise you!

Here are some kid-friendly no-cook recipes that your little ones will love to prepare and serve to the family as well:

Fruits and cheese kebabs
Let your kids prepare healthy and delicious meals with nutritious fruits and herbs. This delectable fruit and cheese kebab requires no cooking and is extremely easy to make.

Ingredients:

Berries like strawberry, raspberry, blueberry or more. You can use all or one type.

Basil leaves

Mint leaves

Mozzarella cheese balls

Preparation
- Take any one of the berries or more if your kid wants variety and colour. Add two cheese balls, two mint leaves and skewer them along a 6-inch wooden skewer one after another.
- Repeat the same with other berries too and your little chef is ready to present his dish.
Chapatti Rolls
Made from leftover or freshly-made chapattis, this is a delectable recipe that is not only filling but also healthy. Easy enough to be made by kids, these rolls contain the goodness of carrots, cucumbers, corn, onions, and hung curd.

Ingredients:
- Chapatis
- Turmeric : 2 pinches
- Refined oil : 2 tbsp
- Carrots, grated : 2 medium-sized
- Cucumber, grated : 1 medium size
- Corn kernels, boiled : 1/2 cup
- Green peas, boiled : 1/2 cup
- Onions thinly sliced : 1 No.
- Hung curd : 1 cup
- Garam masala : 1 tsp
- Salt : As per taste
Preparation:
- To make these rolls, your little one might require a little help from you for grating and cutting the vegetables.
- Take a bowl and mix all ingredients one by one and then the hung curd. Mix gently and well by using a spoon.
- Take the chapattis and ladle the mixture onto them. Roll them up and serve.
- Chapatti Pizza
  An easy Indian style pizza, your kids can make this any time they want. Whenever it’s snack time, they can prepare it quickly and serve to their friends as well, as a healthy no-bake recipe.
  
  Ingredients:
  
  Chapatti, leftover
  
  Sweet corn, boiled
  
  Capsicum, thin sliced
  
  Onions, sliced
  
  Cheese, grated
  
  Oregano
  
  Chilli flakes
  
  For the Sauce:
  
  Tomato, chopped
  
  Onion, chopped
  
  Black pepper, crushed
  
  Salt
  
  Oil
  
  Tomato puree
  
  Oregano
  
  Making the sauce: (Mothers will need to make it and keep it ready for their kids to use)
  - In a saucepan, heat the oil first.
  - Add the chopped onions, tomatoes, crushed pepper and salt, and cook for around 5 minutes on a low flame.
  - Add the tomato puree. Mix well and allow it to cook for another 5 minutes on low flame. Sprinkle oregano and set aside.
  Making the pizza: (kids and mothers together have to make it)
  - Take the chapatti and spread the sauce on it. Put the toppings on it (capsicum, onions, corns, chilli flakes, grated cheese, and oregano).
  - Put this on a heated tawa and cover it till the cheese on top melts.
  - Slide the pizza out, cut into slices and serve.
- Murmura
  This puffed rice recipe is a perfect snack for mornings and evenings, and not only for kids but everyone in the family. Easy to make, this no-cook recipe will hardly take much time to prepare.
  
  Ingredients:
  
  Puffed rice : 100 gm
  
  Garlic cloves : 2, sliced
  
  Curry leaves, roasted : 1 sprig
  
  Cumin, roasted and crushed : ½ tsp
  
  Chilli powder (optional) : 1/4th tsp
  
  Turmeric powder : ½ tsp
  
  Peanuts, roasted : 3/4th cup
  
  Salt : As per taste
Preparation:
- Take a big bowl and add the puffed rice. Add roasted curry leaves and peanuts along with turmeric, chilli powder, and stir well.
- Add the sliced garlic cloves, cumin and a little salt to the mixture and stir well.
- Kids can store this mix too, in airtight containers, and have it later whenever they are looking for some snacks.
- Milkshakes
  These are always the healthiest options for kids if prepared in the right way. These healthy no-bake recipes for kids are foods that can be enriched with the goodness of fruits and nuts.
  
  Ingredients:
  
  Fruit of choice : Banana, strawberry, mango, litchi, apple, cherry, etc.
  
  Almonds, crushed : 5-6 pieces.
  
  Honey : 2 tsp.
  
  Milk .
  
  Vanilla essence.
  
  Preparation:
  - Use deseeded or pitted fruits and keep them frozen.
  - Take a blender jar and place all the ingredients together and blend them well (mothers might have to help or just add all ingredients to the blender and let kids push the button).
  - Pour the blended shake in a tall glass and enjoy.
Kids are usually fussy about eating and they rarely understand the importance of healthy cooking and nutritious meals. So, involving them in the kitchen from an early age will help them develop their understanding about nutritious foods. And the best part is that, parents will get to spend some valuable and constructive time in the kitchen with their children as well.