Hunger pangs can hit your child hard in between lunch and dinner, especially if he is sporty or extremely active. Moreover, providing small yet healthy snacks in between main meals can meet the high nutritional requirements of a toddler who is growing rapidly. So, apart from trying out healthy recipes in the evening, you need to make sure they are tasty and appealing as well. This is because, most kids are fussy about food at this age, and yet should not miss out on important nutrients. So, check out these recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, besides being innovative.

Noodles cutlets- 4 to 5

Ingredients

  1. 1 bowl Hakka noodles
  2. ½ bowl chopped and boiled vegetables (carrot, capsicum, peas)
  3. ½ bowl boiled and mashed potatoes
  4. ½ bowl chopped fresh coriander
  5. ½ cup finely chopped onions
  6. ½ cup boiled sweet corn
  7. ¼ tsp chilli powder
  8. ¼ tsp amchur
  9. ¼ tsp chaat masala
  10. Salt to taste
  11. Oil for cooking

Method

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Divide the mixture into equal parts and flatten each using your hands.
  3. Heat a pan and sprinkle some oil on it.
  4. Cook all the cutlets on both sides.
  5. Serve hot with tomato ketchup.

Rava pancakes

Ingredients

  1. ½ bowl rava
  2. 1/2 bowl curd
  3. ½ bowl roasted and crushed peanuts
  4. ¼ cup cabbage (shredded)
  5. ¼ bowl chopped capsicum
  6. ¼ bowl chopped carrot
  7. ¼ cup sprouts (moong daal or beans)
  8. 1 tsp lemon juice
  9. 1 tsp fruit salt
  10. Salt to taste
  11. Oil for cooking

Method

  1. Soak rava in curd and some water for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add some crushed peanuts, salt and pepper.
  3. Mix all the vegetables in another bowl, and add some lemon juice, salt and pepper.
  4. Add the fruit salt to the batter and mix properly.
  5. On a pan, spread the rava mixture and then spread the veggie mixture over it.
  6. Cook on both sides.
  7. Serve hot.

Tomato and basil sandwich

Ingredients

  1. ½ cup chopped tomatoes
  2. ½ cup chopped basil
  3. ½ cup mayonnaise
  4. Whole-wheat bread
  5. Salt to taste

Method

  1. Mix tomatoes, basil, and mayonnaise. Add salt and pepper.
  2. Divide the mixture into equal portions.
  3. Take a slice of bread and spread some mixture on it.
  4. Cover it with another slice of bread.
  5. Cut the sandwich into triangles and serve.

Vegetable pasta

Ingredients

  1. Spaghetti or penne macaroni – 2 cups
  2. 1 cup mixed and chopped vegetables (carrots, peas, broccoli, capsicum)
  3. ½ cup cream
  4. 3-4 garlic chopped
  5. ½ onion chopped
  6. 1 tomato chopped

Method

  1. Take a pan that is half full of water and bring it to a boil. Then, add 1 tbsp of salt and pasta.
  2. Cook the pasta till it becomes soft.
  3. Drain the pasta and add some cold water to cool it.
  4. Heat oil in a pan, add chopped onions, and sauté till they become soft.
  5. Add tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Now, add vegetables and stir fry for 5 minutes.
  7. Add the cooked pasta, some garam masala (if you want), and salt.
  8. Cook it and add some cream at last.
  9. Serve hot.

Banana shake

Ingredients

  1. 2 ripe bananas
  2. 1 glass of boiled and cooled milk
  3. Sugar syrup
  4. ¼ tsp cardamom powder
  5. ½ cup soaked and peeled almonds

Method

  1. Add the bananas, almonds, cardamom, milk, and sugar syrup to a blender.
  2. Blend them all until the mixture becomes smooth.
  3. Pour in a glass.
  4. Serve chilled.

Dry fruits milkshake

Ingredients

  1. 2-3 tbsp crushed pistachios
  2. 8-10 almonds (soaked and peeled)
  3. 8-10 cashews (soaked)
  4. 2-3 dried figs (soaked)
  5. 3-4 dates (chopped)
  6. ¼ tsp cardamom powder
  7. 2 cups milk

Method

  1. Add all ingredients except the milk to a blender. Blend till they are all well-mixed.
  2. Then pour 1 cup of milk and blend again.
  3. Add 1 more cup of milk to adjust the consistency.
  4. Serve chilled in a tall glass and garnish with dry fruits.

You are now ready to make evening snack time fun for your child. All the above recipes make good use of the major food groups, and when served on a rotational basis, can keep your child interested as well. You can also lend your own creativity to these ideas and experiment with other ingredients.

To learn more about Happy Growth and growing up milk visit https://www.nestle.in/brands/nestle-lactogrow

To learn more about growth and possibilities for your child visit www.nangrow.in

To learn more about nutrition dense meal options to include in your child’s diet visit www.ceregrow.in

Show More
Explore more on Diets & Recipes