4 Baon Favorites with a Healthy Twist

Kids need their daily dose of vitamins and minerals and also a good boost of energy to last the entire day. What they have for lunch, of course, is key in meeting these needs. Unfortunately, not all parents have the time and creativity to ensure that their kids’ lunch meals are filled with only the finest and brightest representatives of the food groups.

Here are four recipes to inspire you to cook healthier. The best part? Whipping up these dishes will get you in and out of the kitchen in no time.


Baked Chicken Nuggets
Baking the chicken instead of frying it makes this go-to recipe healthier. 

Ingredients:
400 grams skinless chicken breast fillets
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup panko bread crumbs
cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 large eggs, beaten ½ cup all-purpose flour olive oil, for greasing steamed white rice buttered corn and carrots, and barbecue sauce, to serve

 

1. Preheat oven to 425ºF. Grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
2. Slice chicken into 2-inch pieces (squares or strips). Season with salt and pepper.
3. Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Place all-purpose flour and beaten eggs in separate bowls.
4. Dredge chicken pieces in flour, dip in beaten egg, and coat with breadcrumbs. Transfer chicken pieces to greased baking sheet.
5. Bake chicken for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden, flipping halfway through. Serve with steamed white rice, buttered corn and carrots, and barbecue sauce.

This dish serves 3 to 4 and requires 15 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cooking time



Apple Burger Steak
Adding apples to the usual burger steak recipe makes it sweet and extra tender. We throw in a healthy version of gravy, too.

Ingredients:
For the burger patties:
400 grams ground beef
1 red delicious apple, peeled and grated
1 medium-sized red onion, diced
¼ cup chopped celery
1 medium egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
½ teaspoon pepper 1
 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons white sugar

For the creamy mushroom sauce:
¼ cup sliced button mushroom
olive oil, for sautéing
1 cup creamy yogurt
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
garlic powder, salt, and pepper, to taste
steamed white rice, to serve

1. Combine all ingredients for the burger patties in a bowl; mix thoroughly. Cover bowl and marinate mixture in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
2. Make the creamy mushroom sauce: sauté mushrooms in a pan over low heat; remove from heat. Combine mushrooms, creamy yogurt, and soy sauce in a bowl. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high. Take out burger mixture from the refrigerator and form into patties depending on your preferred size.
4. Grill patties for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned.
5. Serve apple burger steak over steamed white rice. Top with creamy mushroom sauce.

This dish serves 3 to 4, and requires 10 minutes prep time (plus marinating time) and 15 minutes cooking time

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Carrot Mac and Cheese
Use fun and quirky pasta shapes for a treat!

Ingredients:
150 grams carrots, washed, peeled, and chopped
¾ cup milk
¼ stick butter
2 tablespoons
creamy yogurt
200 grams macaroni, cooked according to package directions
¼ cup grated cheddar cheese
¼ cup grated quick-melting cheese, plus extra for topping
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Boil carrots in a pot filled with water. Once soft, drain and mash using a fork. Add milk and mix until well combined. Alternatively, you may use a blender to puree the carrot and milk mixture.

2. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add carrot mixture, creamy yogurt, cooked macaroni, and cheeses. Mix until cheeses have melted. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

3. Transfer into serving containers and top with extra grated cheese.

This dish serves 2 to 3, and requires 30 minutes prep time and 15 minutes cooking time

 

Grilled Sausage with Fruit Slaw Buns
Get the kids to love their veggies and fruits by pairing them with their favorite dishes.

Ingredients:
4 sausages (we used frankfurters)
¼ head cabbage, shredded
1 granny smith apple, cubed
1 pear, cut into thin strips
10 pieces seedless grapes, cut into rounds
15 pieces pineapple chunks, sliced in half
2 to 3 tablespoons pineapple juice (reserved from can)
3 to 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
salt, to taste
4 hotdog buns
dried mangoes, to serve

1. Grill sausages according to package directions. Slice into rounds.

2. Combine cabbage, apples, pears, grapes, and pineapples in a bowl. Add pineapple juice and mayonnaise depending on your preference. Season with salt.

3. Toast hotdog buns. Add sliced sausages and top with fruit slaw. Serve with dried mangoes on the side.

This dish serves 4 and requires 20 minutes prep time and 10 minutes cooking time

 

Text, recipes, and styling by Idge Mendiola. Photos by Miguel Nacianceno