Is there a super mom somewhere on this planet who doesn't have to think too much about packing lunch box for her kid(s)? Yes, there is. In my dreams, of course!! :) For me to satisfy the lunch box needs/fancies of my kids and balance with nutrition is a herculean task.
If your thoughts run along mine, then watch out this space or the next 3 days as I have taken up the theme of "Kid's Delight - Lunch box Menu" as part of BM #40 week 4.
For Day 1 here is a healthy version of Pulao which my older one took to school. I should have told her to heat up her pulao at school (They have microwaves in their lunch room) which I regretfully forgot and so she complained that the paneer didn't taste 'normal'. But anyway that is a lesson for the next time. But she had a repeat of the same pulao at home and was satisfied.
Ingredients -
Basmati Rice 2 cups (any long grain rice would work)
Paneer, cubed 1 1/2 cups
Mixed Vegetables, diced 1 1/2 cups (I used frozen mixed vegetables)
Ginger-Garlic Paste 2 tsp
Onions chopped 1/2 cup
Tomato paste 1 tsp
Mint leaves few (I used a tsp of dried mint powder)
Yogurt 1/2 cup
Turmeric 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala, Red Chilli Powder and Salt to taste
Seasoning (Oil/Ghee 2 Tbsp, Cloves 3-4, Cinnamon 1 inch, Star Anise 1)
Garnish - Fried Onions and Roasted Cashews
Method Of Preparation -
In a wok/kadai heat oil and add the seasoning spices in and fry for a few seconds. Add in the Ginger-Garlic Paste, onions and the paneer cubes. Saute until they turn light brown.
Add in the tomato paste, mixed vegetables and saute for a couple minutes. Mix in the yogurt.
Sprinkle turmeric, garam masala, red chilli powder and salt to taste.
Add the washed and drained rice, let the rice mix well in the other ingredients and spices.
Add sufficient water, cover and cook until the rice is suitably cooked through and each grain stands out separately.
(I skipped cooking in the same pan. Instead, I transferred the contents into an electric rice cooker.)
Remove and spread the cooked pulao onto a wide container. Garnish with roasted cashews and fried onions. (I omitted coriander leaves as my kids don't like it.)
I packed Rasedaar Aloo and Spiced yogurt along with this pulao. Also I didn't forget to pack a few slices of pear.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 40.
Linking this to Srivalli's "Kid's Delight - Lunch Box Series" hosted by Jayanthi.
Preparation Time 20 min + cooking time 30 minLinking this to Srivalli's "Kid's Delight - Lunch Box Series" hosted by Jayanthi.
Serves 5-6
Wat a beautiful pulao, kids favourite definitely.
Paneer vegetable pulao looks tasty. Nice dish for a lunch a box.
Colorful pulao...
Colorful and filling lunch. Nice one.
A nice filling lunch box!..lovely rice.
That is such a yummy pulao. It is definitely a Herculean task packing for my super picky son. I wish he was a little more flexible -- alas..
Forget the kids, I will pack this for my afternoon lunch :) Looks too good!
I too wish we have the magic formula to get the box get done and we get happy..:)..paneer puloa looks so amazing..and nice packing too..
Sounds yummy, Harini.
Somehow my daughter has this notion that she should eat plain rice only with some koora / sambhar and she never touches any rice dishes. And so I look forward to these kind of ideas for my husbands' lunch box instead. :)
This is one awesome pulao. My kid comes back home for lunch but this is an idea for my lunch. Thanks