Tuesday Treats - School Lunch & Pasta Primavera

I've been experimenting with the kids' lunches to accomplish several objectives. Mostly, I want them to eat healthy foods. I also want them to not get in a rut and become the kids who will eat nothing but nuggets, pizza and sandwiches. And, I want to do this for as little money as possible. Ha! I know, I'm making too big a deal out of this, but it is very important to me that they eat healthy foods. And, I've noticed them trending towards becoming picky eaters recently, and I want to do what I can to encourage them to branch out and not be like that.

For sides, I usually send them with carrots, fresh fruits (usually grapes, orange slices or apple slices), peanut butter and crackers or a cheese stick. Last year I loved sending the organic boxed milk for a drink. This year, I've talked myself out of the pricey milk for budget reasons and have been sending Capri Suns. I'd rather send water, but haven't found it packaged in small, easy to open bottles or pouches. Has anyone seen water packaged kid-friendly? I know I could send it in a thermos, but I remember always taking a thermos in my lunchbox and how often it leaked. The last thing I want to deal with is water spilled in the lunchbox that isn't zipped up all the way and pours into the backpack.

The main dish of their lunch is the only part in question. They've taken a couple of the usual, sandwiches. And, I've sent turkey wraps. A few times I've made macaroni and cheese in the morning and Abigail said it was still warm in her thermos when she ate it. The first week of school I cooked up some pasta and was able to send that and keep it cold in the thermos. It was a yummy recipe that I will certainly use again. I found the recipe here. If you're looking for some creative pastas and sandwich ideas for lunch, it's a good website. AND, if you have some recipes for me, please share! I'd love some more pastas that could be eaten cold, or a yummy fruit salad. I like the idea of putting together a batch of something on Sunday night and it lasting through the week.

Ingredients
2 cups Pasta, small dried
1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Onions, chopped finely
2 Cloves garlic, chopped finely
14 Cherry tomatoes, diced small
1/4 cup Water
1/4 cup Frozen peas
1/4 cup Frozen corn
1 tablespoon Fresh basil, finely chopped
1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon Basil, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil dried pasta in water for about 10 minutes. Pasta should remain slightly firm. In a small saucepan, saute olive oil, onions and garlic on medium-low heat for 3 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes, frozen peas, corn and water. Saute 3 minutes or until tender. Mix in cooked, drained pasta. Let cool.Toss in fresh basil, mozzarella, salt and pepper to taste.

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