Tasty Twists

CEBU, Philippines - Most moms have an obsession with healthy living for the family. At the center of healthy living are healthy foods. So, no matter how tiring or time-consuming, mothers still prefer waking up early in the morning to make a healthy breakfast and healthy lunch boxes for the children.

 Since June is fast approaching, moms need to double-time creating recipes for their kids to enjoy. Junk foods and other unhealthy snacks are to be avoided completely, if moms had their way.  Mothers try their very best to come up with "baon" or lunch-box ideas that the kids will love.

Here are three tasty recipes for moms to try that are sure to keep the children looking forward to lunch break or snack time:

 Banana Chocolate Cupcakes (recipes.sparkpeople.com)

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar

1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (45 grams) cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 1 medium sized banana)

1/2 cup (120 ml) warm water

1/4 cup (60 ml) milk

3/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup (60 ml) canola or corn oil

Procedure:

1.            Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven.

2.            Line 24 regular-sized muffin cups with paper liners or spray each cup with a non stick vegetable spray.

3.            In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

4.            In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs, mashed bananas, water, milk, oil, and vanilla extract.

5.            Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir, or whisk, until combined.

6.            Pour or scoop the batter into the muffin cups, about 3/4 full, and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bites

(thesweet-toothlife.com)

1 tbsp. coconut oil

3/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp. milk

1 tbsp. vanilla

2 cups old fashioned oats

Procedure:

1.            Melt coconut oil in a pot on the stove. 

2.            Add peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla and milk.  Stir until smooth. 

3.            Add oats. 

4.            Remove from heat and roll into balls.

Fruity Crispy Roll (sweetnbake.com)

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

1 tablespoon orange zest

2 tablespoon brown sugar

Shanghai wrappers

1 fruit cocktail can, drained

Procedure:

1.            Combine all ingredients except shanghai wrapper.

2.            Spoon the fruit cocktail into the shanghai wrapper, roll and seal.

3.            Heat the frying pan and deep-fry the Fruity Crispy roll until it turns golden brown.

4.            Let it absorb in tissue paper.

5.            Serve it while hot with a condensed milk for dipping.

Healthy does not mean deprivation from the gustatory enjoyment of eating. It's just a matter of balancing nutrition and taste. With kids, it also takes some little twists to the usual. And these suggested snacks are sure to tickle the little one's taste buds.