Monday, September 24, 2007
Keep lunch out of the trash
When preparing lunches for kids, get them involved. Children tend to eat more of their lunches when they have a say in its preparation. Weekly menus also can help, as can asking kids in the evening what they might like to bring for lunch the next day. With a little planning, you can send your child to school with a lunch that won’t go uneaten.
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Ham Roulette
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
4 dill pickles, chopped
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, optional
5 slices ham
In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, pickles, mustard, and chives. Spoon 1/5 of the mixture onto each ham slice, then roll ham slices up carefully. Wrap each roll in aluminum foil, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. When you are ready to serve, unwrap the ham ‘roulettes’, and slice. Serve chilled. Makes 8 servings.
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With these sandwiches in the freezer, you’ll be prepared for last-minute lunches, Just put a frozen sandwich in a lunch bag in the morning and it will be thawed by lunch.
Hot Dog Sandwiches
6 hot dogs, minced
1/2 cup dill pickle relish
1/4 cup chili sauce
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
12 slices bread
In a small bowl, combine hot dogs, relish, chili sauce and mustard; mix well. Spread on six slices of bread; top with the remaining bread Freeze for up to 2 months. Remove from the freezer at least 4 hours before serving. Makes 6 servings.
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This sandwich filling will keep in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days if stored in a covered container.
Bologna Salad Sandwiches
1-1/2 pounds bologna or ham, ground
1 to 1-1/4 cups mayonnaise
3/4 cup sweet pickle relish, well drained
3 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
30 slices bread
15 slices process American cheese
Lettuce leaves, optional
In a bowl, mix bologna, mayonnaise, relish, onion and Worcestershire sauce. Use about 1/3 cup of the salad for each sandwich, and top with a slice of cheese and lettuce if desired. Makes 15 sandwiches.
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Pantry Pointers
Frozen juice boxes make great ice packs for school lunches because they help keep the food cold and, since they thaw by lunch, provide a cold drink for your child. Just make sure you wrap the food good to prevent sogginess as the box may sweat as it thaws.
To prevent bread from getting soggy, pack vegetables and condiments separately and then add to the sandwich just before eating.
The Practical Pantry ©2007 Tammy P. Olson
http://www.practicalpantry.com