Get Your Kids In The Kitchen: Fun And Flavorful No-Cook Recipes They'll Love!

Peanut Butter and Jam Roti Pinwheels

(Serves 2)

When hunger pangs strike, these pinwheels can be a quick and delicious snack option. They're even cute enough to be served at a playdate or to carry to a rooftop picnic!

Ingredients

• 2 soft rotis or thin, round parathas
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup thick jam

Method

1. Place a roti on a cutting board.
2. Spread the peanut butter evenly over half the roti.
3. Spread the jam over the other half of the roti.
4. Carefully roll up the roti, starting with the jam end. Place it on a plate.
5. Repeat with the other roti. Cover and refrigerate the rolls for about 30 minutes for easier slicing.
6. Remove the rolls from the fridge. Cut each roll into 5 to 6 pieces using a serrated knife.
7. Serve the pinwheels with a fruit and a glass of milk.

Poha Chaat

(Serves 2)

Here's a colorful and healthy chaat bowl that children will love putting together! Once mixed, they'll have a blast tasting their creation multiple times to achieve just that perfect balance of flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 cup parched rice (thick poha)
• 1 boiled potato
• 1 cup coriander and/or mint leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1/2 cup boiled chickpeas
• 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
• lemon
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp chaat masala
• 2 tbsp tamarind chutney
• 1/2 cup sev (thin, crunchy noodles made from chickpea flour)

Method

1. Put the poha in a large strainer and wash it well in running water. Set aside to drain.
2. Peel and chop the potato into bite-sized pieces, and keep them in a mixing bowl.
3. Tear up the coriander and mint leaves and add them to the bowl.
4. Add the chopped onion and tomato to the bowl, along with the boiled chickpeas and roasted peanuts.
5. Season with lemon juice, salt, and chaat masala.
6. Add the drained poha to the bowl and toss everything well.
7. Now spread the poha on a serving platter. Drizzle some tamarind chutney on it and top it with the sev.

Choco Ragi Smoothie

(Serves 1)

Ragi huri hittu, or popped ragi flour is a pantry staple in Karnataka, where it's loved for its earthy taste and nutrition. The tiny chocolate-colored ragi grains are popped like popcorn before being ground, hence no cooking is required to use this flour. When combined with cocoa, dates, almonds, and a banana, it makes for a wholesome and very filling breakfast smoothie.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp popped ragi flour (ragi huri hittu)
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 4 dates, de-seeded and chopped
• 1 cup milk
• 2 to 3 almonds, crushed
• 1 small banana cut into slices and frozen
• Sugar or honey to taste

Method

1. Measure the popped ragi flour and cocoa powder into a cup. Pour in the hot water. Stir with a fork until smooth. Mix in the chopped dates and set the cup aside to cool.
2. Pour the milk into a mixer jar. Add the crushed almonds and frozen banana slices.
3. Transfer the ragi mixture to the mixer jar. Blend until smooth. Taste and add sugar or honey, if desired. Blend again until thick and frothy.
4. Pour the smoothie into a serving mug and enjoy.

 Ruchira Ramanujam runs a popular food blog, tadkapasta.com, with her partner Ranjini