If you've got a thermos, you've got half of what you need for a hot, hearty, and healthy kid's lunch.
What's for Lunch
Who says kids can't enjoy a hot, homemade meal in the lunchroom? Well, maybe no one--and those people with nonexistent protests couldn't be more right! Make a batch ahead of time and then heat it up, spoon it in, and send it off to school with the little ones. Easy peasy, and it's good for them. Ground turkey and black beans make for excellent sources of protein in this lunch, with the turkey providing a healthy alternative to the typical ground beef a chili recipe usually calls for. Pair it with a cornbread muffin, a piece of fruit, and low-fat milk or water, and your child will be full and happy come afternoon recess.
Lunch Box Logic
- Make ahead: Make both the chili and corn muffins one or two days before. If you'd like your chili to keep longer, freeze in individual serving sizes (you can do this with the corn muffins too), pulling each serving out as you need them. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
- Make it hot, hot, hot: A plastic thermos will do the trick just fine, but a stainless steel one will keep the chili hot for the longest period of time, especially if you fill it with hot water first to heat up. Empty the water right before you spoon the chili in.
- Make it fun: Pack a resealable bag with some shredded cheese for your child to top the chili with at lunchtime.
What's this?